Who ’ s Your FAVORITE TEACHER ?
BY RON GORDON
O ver the last several years , while visiting Christian schools across the country , we ’ ve asked hundreds of students the question “ Who ’ s your favorite teacher ?” The answers are quite consistent between groups with phrases such as “ Miss Smith makes learning fun ,” “ Mr . Jones seems to be the only teacher that has control of the class ,” or “ Mrs . Turner actually cares about us .” Fascinating stories quickly follow , illustrating how these teachers have impacted their lives in powerful ways .
When recalling my favorite teachers , two names immediately come to mind from my first eight years at a Christian school : Mrs . Landes and Mr . Moser . However , they couldn ’ t have been more different . Mrs . Landes was serious , strict , and mostly stoic . Mr . Moser was entertaining and enthusiastic . That said , they shared several common characteristics , including a solid command of and powerful insights into their material , the ability to communicate concepts effectively , and a passionate love for Christ .
If you search the internet for the “ most important traits of a great teacher ,” several other vital attributes emerge .
Accessible Active listener Adaptable Authentic autonomy Caring Challenges students Collaborative Constantly growing Creates a sense of community Creative Effective in goal-setting Empathetic Engaging Enthusiastic Experts in their field Flexible Focused on growth Fun Great communicator Joyful Lifelong learner
Loves children Love of learning Loves challenges Passion for learning Patient Personal Prepared Professional Prompt Respectful Responsible Self-reflective Sensitive Serves as a role model Sets high expectations Skilled leader Strives for excellence Teachable Teaches lifelong lessons Visionary Warm
When considering these varied qualities , there ’ s one keyword at the heart of each of these responses . What is it ? Trust . It ’ s the foundation on which each of these qualities must rest .
Patrick Lencioni ’ s best-selling book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team identifies the absence of trust as the most common and most severe dysfunction that a team , or in this case a classroom of students , can have . 1 Without trust , classmates are fearful of engaging , leading to stifled class communication and a focus on protecting themselves , which may even lead to undermining classmates ’ responses . When the teacher leads their class with godly wisdom and transparent communication , including acknowledgment of their mistakes , the classroom is transformed into a trusting environment conducive to learning and growing together .
Still , Scripture repeatedly reminds us not to put our trust in man but God alone .
“ Put not your trust in princes , in a son of man , in whom there is no salvation . When his breath departs , he returns to the earth ; on that very day his plans perish ” ( Ps . 146:3-4 ).
“ Trust in the Lord with all your heart , and do not lean on your own understanding . In all your ways acknowledge Him , and He will make straight your paths ” ( Prov . 3:5,6 ).
“ Thus says the Lord : ‘ Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength , whose heart turns away from the Lord . Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord , whose trust is the Lord ’” ( Jer . 17:5,7 ).
So are we not to teach our children to trust others , including teachers ? No . In Ephesians 4:20-24 , Paul explains we were taught through Jesus ’ model how you must leave “ your former manner of life . . . corrupt through deceitful desires ” and be “ renewed in the spirit of your minds and to put on the new self , created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness .” We must become more like Christ through the power of the Spirit . 2 Corinthians 3:18 ( NASB )
14 THE RENEWANATION REVIEW