“Teacher, teacher, can you teach me?
Can you tell me all I need to know?
Teacher, teacher, can you reach me?
Or will I fall when you let me go? Oh no”
– 38 Special – “Teacher Teacher”
World Teachers Day was yesterday, and it always reminds me of my attempt to become a high school history teacher. As it turns out, I wasn’t cut out for University and life had other plans for me, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
The reason I wanted to be a history teacher was because I was fortunate enough to have a history teacher in high school that took the time to nurture my love of history and really make a difference in my life. To be inspired by someone like that is a wonderful thing, and I made a point in later life to let him know, and to thank him.
What I’ve learned since then is that you don’t necessarily have to go to University for years to become a teacher. A teacher is someone who helps others learn, and there are many ways to help someone learn. Maybe you’re a coach, or a Scout Leader. Maybe you’re the one that people always go to for advice. There are so many ways that we become teachers.
Things like sportsmanship, how to build a fire, how to change a tire, how to cook a meal… These are all just as important as learning math and science, and most times the people that share that knowledge and those skills don’t think of themselves as teachers, but they are. Just not in the usual sense.
So be a teacher. Share your knowledge with the next generation. You never know… your actions could be inspiring, and you could change a life
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