‘You are the hope of the nation!’ (Jasmin, a teacher, the Philippines) It’s intriguing, the impact that teachers can have in our lives. How they shape our experiences, perspectives and choices. I had one teacher who was a sadistic bully. He used his power punitively to evoke terror. As children, we felt fearful and powerless before him. It galvanised within me a later commitment to human rights, to defend the oppressed from powerful oppressors. I had other teachers who opened-up the world to us. One was French, and attractive with a sweet accent. She believed in me and fuelled my interest in languages. Another was English but taught us German. He showed us photographs from his visits and evoked a sense of adventure, an exciting world beyond our horizons of experience. He inspired me to visit different countries. I had another teacher who protected me. I switched classes without permission and, when an angry tutor came to check where I was, this teacher covered for me. It was a moment of unexpected and undeserved grace. He put himself at risk in order to protect me from punishment. It taught me to step out for others, to put myself on the line to protect those who are vulnerable. One teacher had a passion for language. He could create magic with words, enabled us to capture and express ideas with creativity and precision. He enabled and inspired me to write, play with words and reach for excellence. I had another English teacher who toyed with us and manipulated the class for his own entertainment. He taught me to avoid a misuse of position. In all these cases, I was influenced as much by the person as by the subject. It was the person who shaped my world, fanned my passions into flame or served as a warning of what to avoid. I learned important lessons about power and humility, the power to liberate and the potential to abuse. These evolved into central themes in my Christian ethics, stance and leadership. Which teachers have influenced you most? What impact have they had in your life?
22 Comments
Ellie Watts
2/2/2023 07:25:31 pm
So true, Nick. I can remember some of my elementary school teachers. To be honest, I don't remember much of what they taught in class. I do remember liking or disliking them!
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Nick Wright
2/2/2023 07:26:35 pm
Thanks Ellie. You reminded me of Maya Angelou: 'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'
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Timothy
2/2/2023 07:31:05 pm
Mr Brown, my History Teacher. When I was studying for my GCSEs (British Secondary School first qualification) he was my form tutor as well as my History teacher. When, as a schoolkid with ADHD at least 10 years before it was diagnosable anywhere (most teachers either labelled me as 'stupid' or 'lazy' or just didn't know what to do with me) he came alongside me for my final exams and helped me revise so that I could pass. I dropped Technology but got a C Pass in 7 other subjects including English, Maths, and MixedScience. I was devastated and hugely aplogetic that I got a D in History - his subject - but when I apologised to him he just smiled and said "Don't be silly".
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Nick Wright
2/2/2023 07:36:22 pm
Hi Timothy and thank you for sharing so vividly from personal experience. It makes me wonder if Mr Brown realised what a positive support and influence he was-is in your life.
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Sandra Masters
2/2/2023 07:32:20 pm
Hi Nick. I'm a primary school teacher. I hope I'll be remembered for something good in my pupils' lives!
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Nick Wright
2/2/2023 07:34:20 pm
Hi Sandra. My Mum was a primary school teacher, and she still receives Christmas letters from former pupils she taught over 40 years ago! Now that's something to aspire to. :)
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Paul Field
2/2/2023 07:39:57 pm
I'll never forget Miss Williams. She was so lovely, supporting my daughter on her first day at school. Other teachers might have just looked at her as another child. Miss Williams saw how scared she looked, realised how anxious she felt, and took her hand as she led her into the class. What a beautiful role model.
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Nick Wright
2/2/2023 07:42:16 pm
Hi Paul. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful example of an empathetic and caring teacher. It reminded me of my youngest daughter's first day at primary school. She, too, felt shy and, as she and others stood nervously in a queue outside of the classroom, another tiny girl silently took her hand - without saying a word. They walked into the class together...and became best friends!
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Annie Leamington
2/2/2023 07:46:15 pm
Hi Nick. Great blog! My best teachers took an active interest in me. They didn't just talk at us from the front. They took time to notice what interested me, what motivated me and what I loved doing. That was great. It can't have been easy with a whole classroom of kids but somehow they made me feel special.
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Nick Wright
2/2/2023 07:49:04 pm
Thank you, Annie. They sound like great teachers! :) Here's a short account of a teacher who really inspired me in recent years, for similar reasons: https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/teacher
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David Moorse
2/2/2023 07:50:23 pm
Hi Nick. I like your post on teachers. Not 100% sure if I recognise any! :) Good point well made. Would love to chat about teacher memories sometime!
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Nick Wright
2/2/2023 07:51:28 pm
Hi David. You made me smile. Yes, we went to the same senior school. It would be fun to compare and contrast how we experienced our teachers there!
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Sue Walters
2/2/2023 07:54:02 pm
'You are the hope of the nation!' I felt my spine tingle as I read that. A very different way of looking at the purpose of education. I wish I had had teachers who inspired me with a vision like that. It might have made me concentrate more, work harder, in my lessons. :)
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Nick Wright
2/2/2023 07:58:17 pm
Hi Sue. Yes, Jasmin has a remarkable way of reframing education as a means to personal and social transformation, not simply as academic achievements and exams. In case of interest, you can see more about Jasmin's radical vision, ethics and approach here: https://www.nick-wright.com/a-radical-heart.html
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Richard Lamb
2/2/2023 08:09:06 pm
Hi Nick. A very timely blog given that teachers in the UK are on strike this week! I'm a high school teacher. I'm under so much pressure with work these days that I fear what kind of role model I am for the students in my classes.
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Nick Wright
2/2/2023 08:15:24 pm
Hi Richard and thank you for such an honest personal response. A profound leader and psychologist (Richard Marshall) I worked with closely in an international NGO used to say, 'We're always influencing...but not always in the way we hope'. I find that challenge very sobering. It's one reason why I focus on grounding principles now whenever I approach my work: Prayer, Presence, Participation. It's not always easy, especially when under pressure and stress. I guess it also calls us to practise forgiveness of ourselves when we get it wrong!
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George Barker
2/2/2023 09:15:22 pm
I hated every day at school. And I was a teacher.
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Nick Wright
2/2/2023 09:24:17 pm
Hi George. You made me laugh! 😅
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6/2/2023 12:25:22 pm
Hi Nick
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Nick Wright
6/2/2023 07:35:09 pm
Hi John. Jesus - yes indeed, and what an interesting example and perspective on Jesus' use of self. I'm always struck by Jesus' use of questions to evoke critical spiritual reflexivity. I'm pleased you had teachers who saw and responded to your need.
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Lisa Ford
7/2/2023 01:27:49 am
Grade 2 Grumpy old Mrs McCormick got together a small singing group so we could sing sweet music to our classmates at anytime. This started my lifelong love of singing.
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7/2/2023 06:12:12 am
Academically, I was a very, very slow bloomer. I barely passed each year of elementary school and they put me into the non-college track in high school. In that track I mostly got Cs with a few Bs and a few D’s.
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Nick WrightI'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? Get in touch! Like what you read? Simply enter your email address below to receive regular blog updates!
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