What makes a good teacher?

A good teacher of a craft and a master of a craft can be very different. What I mean by this: one can be excellent at their craft but suck at teaching. In contrast, one may be average at their craft but be excellent at teaching it.

A good teacher is one who does not pursue 'perfection', but accepts things as is. It is hard enough to understand oneself. Imagine trying to understand another, the student. It is a futile effort to try and get a perfect understanding of someone. But a good teacher will not just make assumptions of a student because getting to know them is too difficult. No. A good teacher can find that balance. What is too difficult to understand? What is not too difficult to understand.

A good teacher should not burn themselves out. This may be difficult to do as the teacher environment is filled with administrative work. A good teacher should find a way to reset and stay energised if they feel like burning out. A good teacher should always remain a student. Perhaps they are learning something regularly during the week? They should constantly be reminded that they too are learning, always! This humility cannot be forced on, but internalised always. I mentioned in my previous post about the egg, an egg that cracks itself open from the inside, is life. Not the other way around.

A good teacher will be worldly. They are wanderers, passing on one valuable message to another. But they will not be rash and hastily. They must not run with immense excitement shouting they've discovered gold, only to realise that they are only holding solidified dirt. You may question this and ask where they get this level of life experience from? I revert back to the teacher always being a student. A good teacher can learn from anyone. It is a two way street.

A good teacher will be courageous. This is not to be confused with arrogance and ego. The ego is a fickle thing, it may come in the form of a giant, muscular man, too proud to sit with the small and frail. Or it may come in the form of a small, shy hermit, too scared to admit they wish to be outside with others, and curse the world for their misfortunes. A good teacher will be courageous to step in when they must, despite all feelings of inhibition coming in. A good teacher will stay true to themselves.

Like my writing on love, a good teacher will always be disciplined. When times are tough and purpose is questioned, this is precisely the most decisive 'make or break' situation. Perhaps the pace needs to slowed down. Perhaps the work must be delegated. Maybe they need a small break. A good teacher should not bend to the pressures of demand but should work to a pace that enables them to stay true to themselves.

A good teacher will be able to see the human in everyone. They will be able to see through souls, because they know themselves very well. To connect with one another's souls, a good teacher will learn through experience, different angles to connect with the soul. Certain acts, certain gestures, certain words that help one soul emanate through the conditioned self. These teachers will be needs-based, and this will only come through time.

A good teacher will remember or try their best to remember what life was like for a student. This will allow them to empathise deeper with students so they can tailor the message accordingly. As an adult, it is easy to think "I'm working full time, taking care of the kids, trying to pursue my hobbies, taking care of my parents etc. How dare this young boy in his teens say he is tired." But we must remember, that is all they know. Their statements can be a reflection of the society we are in. We need to teach them the tools to fall back on when their resilience is waning.

TLDR: A good teacher is a balanced individual, willing to go from the left line to the right line and back, over and over to find the lessons hidden between the lines.