Who Is a Teacher?

Recently in an article I was preparing for publication I referenced a music education professor of mine who once observed that "the real music educator in our society is the DJ". His words made me realize anew that degrees and "certificates" are not the sole pathways to becoming an educator.

In the 60's and 70's it was fashionable to proclaim "We are all students; we are all teachers." Too much repetition trivialized the phrase, but its basic truth remains intact. Throughout our lives, in all situations, we will both instruct others and learn from them. Sometimes we will teach non-verbally, simply by sharing a work of visual art or a piece of music. Sometimes we will catch a ray of insight from someone else, perhaps unintendedly so. And there may be times when we teach or learn negatively--that is, by giving or receiving an example of how not to do something. But learning and teaching will take place at all times, passively or consciously.

Another professor in college also advised us not to worry about finding the right school, but to worry about finding the right teachers. This is some of the best advice a student can receive. When we direct ourselves to focus on receiving and imparting the best instruction available, we will all benefit.

Teachers come in all shapes and sizes, and all ages. A classroom teacher trained at Columbia Teachers College once pointed out that there had been times when her second grade students had shown her a better way to organize or present information. We would probably not have our present system of aviation had the early pioneers not learned from the flight of birds and insects. A DJ has the power to esthetically influence potentially millions of listeners simply by exposing them to a new work or a new style. Even the Bible admonishes us to consider the ways of the lowly ant.

We should never devalue ourselves as teachers as long as we strive to be accurate and sincere in what we share with others. Probably the best road to being a good teacher is to always remain a good and eager student. Of course there may be others who can teach better than we can, or who hold more knowledge in their brains to impart, but each of us still has our own contribution to make. In other words, the existence of a Shakespeare does not mean that a lesser writer has nothing to offer.

I have always pointed out the tragic fact that Mozart, Beethoven, Shakespeare, Einstein, Homer, Rembrandt and Michelangelo, just to name a few, would not have been allowed to teach in an American high school, even though their contributions transformed the world. Why? Because they weren't "certified". Mercifully, our schools are slowly coming to realize that the certification process, however well-intended, had the effect of depriving generations of students from contact with brilliant minds. But we all need to take up our mantles and realize that the gift and art of teaching is far too important to bottle up as a commodity. Teaching and learning is our birthright and our responsibility.

Thanks,
Gary

Animals All Around

Recently our home has been invaded by a pair of raccoons intent on welshing the dry cat food normally reserved for Sylvia, the beautiful stray cat who adopted us a couple of years ago. The raccoons began making their forays in the wee hours of the morning, gaining entrance through a back window left open for Sylvia to pursue her nocturnal haunts, but lately they have begun attempting earlier visits--almost as though they realized I was now closing the window before heading off to bed. This means that Sylvia will have to ask for assistance if she needs to go out in the night. Just what I needed.

A more harrowing experience with a creature of nature took place recently on a trip to Florida. I had gone out early in the morning to swim in the ocean, one of my favorite activities. There were several people in the water, including a number of children. Lazily, out of the corner of my eye I saw a man running onto the shore. I instantly realized it could only mean one thing: a shark was in the water. I snapped to attention and turned my head to see a dreaded dorsal fin heading my way. Judging from the size of the fin, I would estimate the shark to be no more than five feet long--certainly large enough to cause some damage. I prayed HARD to God asking for help, and somehow made it out of the water. I was subdued the rest of the day. Perhaps for the first time in my life I realized what it must feel like to live as potential prey.

These two experiences, plus the abundance of wildlife that seems to investigate my inner-suburban backyard every day, have made me reflect more than ever on the majesty, beauty and mystery of the animal kingdom. The diversity of animals is so overwhelming that we often grow numb to it. Even in our cities there is an incredible range of life-forms, all earnestly endeavoring to survive (ourselves included). When we behold our own bodies, we see that we are mammals, with organs, skin, hair and appendages. For this we should feel honored and exalted. Our creator, however we conceive of him, her or it, has seen fit to bless us with spiritual and physical attributes. We are truly amazingly made.

Even the ants that have plagued the kitchen this year are evidence of the diversity of life, as are the countless birds that fly overhead, the earthworms that make our soil viable, and even the denizens who crawl and slither in the night. Makes you wonder just what we will find someday on other planets.

Thanks,
Gary