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