Prof. Socrates, Dr. Rabbi

by Anthony Perez

Take a moment and try to remember a “memorable” teacher of yours. I doesn't matter how embarrassing, kilig or crazy the reason can be.  These memories can trace as far back as your grade school days, or as recent as your previous collegiate semester.

Pictured him/her in your mind yet?

Did he wear those funny-looking glasses every day? Maybe he had that weird-sounding last name (which the entire class had to attach an unfortunate rhyming word to)?  Or perhaps, she was your ultimate crush back in the 6th grade.  

Trademark features and annoying monikers aside, a teacher’s style also becomes our lasting impression of them. Some will forever be the strict disciplinarian who made her homeroom class feel like boot-camp by making her 4th graders line up by height, specifically 1 arm’s length outside the classroom before the morning assembly- to reveal the violators of the fingernail, haircut and uniform rule.  My 2nd grade music teacher had the terrifying habit of flinging her eraser at those who could not read notes. I was the frequent recipient of a flying piece of cloth as I mumbled through do-re-mi. Others resembled more of a father/mother-figure with their warm voices and pleasant demeanor that dozed you off during Reading Period. As for some, well, you wondered how they even got the job in the first place.

Then, there are the teachers whom you could tell were simply special, and you just couldn't pinpoint exactly how. They belonged to an entirely separate category, not because of good- looks or high long test scores, but in how their classes seemed to be every student’s dream- a “once in a lifetime” learning opportunity that you’d gladly reminisce long after graduation. They embodied a radiating love of teaching that made their hour-long lectures feel so short, and even made them “cool” to hang out with during lunch breaks.

Here’s how you may have met that special adviser, tutor, coach etc.

1) You constantly doubt yourself, but he continues to trust in you and does not think you are a failure. He believes everything you’ll ever need is right inside of you. He’s like the algebra teacher who never gave up on you because after all, you haven’t completely forgotten how to add or divide. Until you get that A, he’s just waiting for you to finally realize “Ay, Kaya ko pala!”
             
 In her autobiography “The Story of My Life”, Helen Keller recalls a particular session with her beloved teacher Anne Sullivan.

“…my teacher placed my hand under the spout. As the cool stream gushed over one hand, she spelled into the other the word water, first slowly, then rapidly. I stood still, my whole attention fixed upon the motions of her fingers. Suddenly I felt a misty consciousness as of something forgotten- a thrill of returning thought; and somehow the mystery of language was revealed to me. I knew then “w-a-t-e-r” meant the wonderful cool something flowing over my hand. That living word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set it free!”

2) As he sees you and your classmates sitting in your chairs, he knows that he stands before youths still naive of what the world around them holds. With that, he generously imparts his wisdom to the young minds eager to absorb the insights he shares, forming them to be prepared for whatever the future brings.
           
For Coach John Wooden, leading his UCLA Bruins to 10 NCAA titles in 12 seasons wasn't his best accomplishment. Basketball players knew what X’s and O’s were all about, so his playbook focused on the more difficult challenge of forming his basketball players into young men of excellent character- beginning with how they picked up their towels after each practice. As Coach often told his boys, “You cannot be truly successful without the peace of mind that only comes through the self-satisfaction knowing you made the effort to become the best you are capable of becoming…”

“Teachers” aren't only limited to the academic sense. Our parents, friends or people we have yet to encounter, can surely inspire us in ways we never can imagine. The onus is on us to not “skip” them and welcome the lessons they carry onto us.
       

   “Imagine that every person in the world is enlightened but you. They are all your teachers, each doing just the right things to help you learn patience, perfect wisdom, perfect compassion.”

                                                              -The Buddha