A Teacher’s Influence Is Forever

I am blessed to be guided by many outstanding teachers.  I remember them fondly.

Some were excellent; all of them helped me  understand the value of  seeking  knowledge; motivated me to see value in myself and those around me.

The base was laid by caring tutors to  see life as an exciting adventure.  They lead me to understand that failing to reach one goal does not doom one to a life of  ruin; it should motivate one to  approach the situation from a different angle.

Positive results satisfy — that is success.

Attitude  is all important. Teachers showed me the mechanics, the method, of doing things.  Much of that,  I have long forgotten, never used;  but the attitude they helped me develop  has remained; I use it everyday.

The importance of a positive attitude is demonstrated by   a negative experience with one of my teachers.

Do I call him a teacher?  Yes,  I did learn from him; I saw what I did not want to be.

Was he a tutor?   He lead me no where; he made  me want to run in the opposite direction.

Better training, stricter (more restricting) laws, vastly different attitudes of every individual in the world of education, makes  teaching  a  more challenging profession.  There is constant change.

Some things never change, they are forever true:

• A true teacher is not in it for the money.   He is doing one of the most important jobs in the world, when he could probably do better financially  in the business community.
• An instructor guides students through the mechanics to deal with life’s challenges.
• A  tutor   guides his students to value knowledge.
• A mentor points the way  to finding value in self and others.

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(Note:  I never  realized the extent of   hurt that negative experience  caused, or its effect until now .  I am the one who suffered, not the teacher.    I hope he changed ; that  no others are scarred by his insecurities.   Now, it is I who must learn to forgive.)