Often times I have heard it said, “There are no heroes today.” All

you have to do is turn on the television or read a newspaper to see

that crime is up, there is violence in our towns, homes and schools,

and immorality seems to be the rule more that the exception.

In my life I have heroes. People that I look to for guidance and

understanding. The first would have to be Jesus Christ. He is the

perfect example of what a hero should be. At times I find it

difficult to fathom the love it took to leave everything and come to

earth as a servant. he was, and still is, a light in a world of

darkness. His example as a servant was demonstrated throughout his

life, even unto the cross. This was done so that I might live, and

so I would have an example of how to live. What seems even harder to

understand is that He would have done this even if I had been the

only person on the earth that need this love. Jesus Christ, the

perfect hero, the perfect example.

History has also given us examples of heroes. They are called

fathers. I call mine dad. People, who work to provide for their

families, teach their children right from wrong, love their children

and are positive examples. Yes dads are heores. They may not be as

fast a a locomotive or jump a building in a single bound, but they

can throw a ball, scare away monsters, and kneel down to pick up a

child. I still remember my dad always having time to coach a little

league team, attend a concert, or buy my brother and I lifesavers on

the way to church. Now he may have done that to keep us quiet during

the service, but it is a memory that gets better with age. Fathers

can be heroes. My dad is one of mine.

Teachers can also be heroes. When a teacher teaches more than a

subject, they become more to their students. The best teachers I had

as a student, and the best teachers I observed as an administrator,

were similar in that they treated students as individuals. You might

ask how a teacher in a room of thirty students could treat each one

as an individual. I believe it begins with showing respect for their

uniqueness. Every child has his or her own personality; a God given

characteristic that makes them who they are. As educators it is our

responsibility to discover and nurture this uniqueness.

Understanding that students learn indifferent ways and then working

to teach and access students according to their style is more than

good teaching; it demonstrates your respect for the student’s

individuality. Teachers can also show compassion through discipline.

Hebrews 12:11 says:

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on,

however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those

who have been trained by it.

Teachers are examples. Teachers can be heores.

It is now time to look in the mirror. Everyone is someone’s

example, someone’s hero. Consider the following true story.

Just moments ago the buzzer went off ending the game. As is the

case following a contest the players were shaking hands and walking

off the field. In the excitement of the moment the young player

almost didn’t hear the small voice. “Your’re just about the best

player ever.” At first the young man wasn’t sure whom the small boy

was talking to. As he turned around he saw the boy coming toward

him. “I watched you play tonight, and you were great.” “I want to

be a football player just like you.” A little embarrassed, and

finding it hard to contain a smile, the two walked off the field

together. The young athlete had no idea someone was watching him,

someone wanted to be like him.

Heros are all around us. One may be looking back at you in the

mirror each morning. Somewhere in your corner of the world there is

someone watching you. It may be your child, a student, or someone

you don’t know. I would ask you to consider this, “Who’s hero are

you?”

Dr. Arnold is the Coordinator for Educational Administration

at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri.

– Michael David Arnold, Ed.D.