What makes a teacher great?

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 ESV

What does make a teacher great? I would say someone who values compassion over education. Not to disregard education or make it less than it is. Of course, knowledge and understanding are essential, which is evident in Scripture (Eph. 6:4, 2 Tim. 3:16, Col. 3:16, Pro. 1:5, Pro. 1:7). Teachers are no doubt necessary in this world too (Titus 2:7-8, Matt. 28:20, Pro. 9:9, Pro. 11:25). Although, any real impact a teacher can make would be Christ working through them. Hence why we so desperately need teachers who fully envision and understand the morals and Biblical principles of the Lord.
But I think sometimes we overvalue education above the spiritual and emotional needs of a person. Especially today, going to school and learning 24/7 has become something that defines a person, as if our education and degree or professional certification guarantee a successful life. But there are so many different ways and things to learn, regardless of what degree we do or don’t pursue. Like learning about what truly matters in life and learning to follow the passions and dreams God designs specifically for us (this, of course, sometimes entails further education, and there is nothing wrong with that, nor is there anything wrong with wanting to pursue higher education). What I mean to say is our focus is often on the wrong things. Living the life God wills us to live…now that is true success.

The educational system, I know, is a pretty controversial topic. But I can’t help the topic from surfacing to the front of my thoughts, the results of this prompt. However, I think the majority of people can agree it’s become corrupt. Whether we’re talking about the education itself, or the exposure to bullying, drugs, smoking, and alcoholism. But amid all that darkness and pain, who do you think could make the strongest impact on a student? Teachers. Lord willing, He’d use people so deep in the system, so near to the tender lives of the students, to spread His love and light through the darkness. Teachers can either choose to value and love their students and be a light in a place that desperately needs it. Or, they can contribute to the darkness and further corruption. What makes a teacher great isn’t only their capabilities of performing education, but also being an example to those students. An example of love, kindness, self-control, compassion, motivation, inspiration, patience, and a genuine drive to not only further improve the students’ education, but also to be a guiding hand in their personal, spiritual, and emotional lives.

Showing someone we care, that we’re listening and we’re happy to be there with them (even if, in all honesty, we are quite the opposite of “happy to be here”); showing someone we understand and we’re willing to help; prioritizing these things above regular education is more important. Because having compassion towards a person simply opens another doorway to understanding. A doorway and an open floodgate to more education, but on the important things. Teaching love and compassion is an education in and of itself. How much more would the education system succeed if its foundation was built on inspiration, love, kindness, and compassion? How much more would the students succeed, not financially, not academically, but as future children of God? How many more young lives could be saved if just one person decided to reach out to that hurting child who was suffering in silence? It’d be a different world, and public schools would be a place kids wanted to go to. Alas, this world is a sinful one, and the enemy runs rampant, but by the mercy of God, satan is limited in his capabilities. Nothing overtakes God’s sovereignty, no matter how many tears we cry as we gaze back at the broken lives and hearts of the lost people on this earth.

Even though the educational system is horrifyingly corrupt, there’s a reason for it. There are simply more opportunities and situations for the glory of God to shine, and I trust His perfect plan. This evil, by no means, was brought by God, but humanity and its sinful nature; brought by the evil one and his forces of darkness. But my God, our God, is sovereign. Unlike satan, He sees everything. Nothing gets passed Him, not even the darkest depths of this corrupt and evil world. I have hope and joy because He is going to make something beautiful out of these ashes. For who can make such a beautiful masterpiece apart from the greatest Teacher of them all?

That’s what makes a teacher great.