Passing the Torch Means Sharing the Light
Imagine yourself in a place with no human contact, no visible light, and no sound. A place where you can not explore who you are or who you may become. Now imagine someone coming in and sharing the light of wisdom and knowledge. You now have not only the ability to see and do, but to become someone who can offer the light to others.
Often times we have students in our classes who see only a small flicker or at times no light at all coming from the outside. It is no wonder that they have very little light shining from the inside. As educators it is our responsibility to help children see the light they have inside. Some would call this light talent, others a quality or possession that can be put to use for the good of others.
Teachers share the light they have through the act of teaching. Just like the Great and Powerful Oz helped the scarecrow to see he had a brain, the tin man find his heart and the lion the courage to be the king of the beasts, teachers help students see that they have talents and gifts inside of them.
Students need to be able to explore these talents in an environment that builds up, not one that tears down. What exactly should this environment look like? I believe it should be a place that encourages risk taking, promotes caring, and recognizes fear for what it is. Teachers can bring out talents in their students by encouraging them to be risk takers. Art was never one of my strongest subjects. I have trouble today drawing stick figures. Like most students I had to take art in elementary and junior high school. I appreciate the fact that I was encouraged to do the best I could and not to worry about making mistakes. With the encouragement of the teacher I was able to produce some of the best refrigerator art known to man. If you are not sure what refrigerator art is, it is art that only your parents could love and it always ends up on the refrigerator. While art was an area that I needed encouragement in, other students need this in math or science. Students need the opportunity to take risks, make mistakes and know that they will receive encouragement.
Often times the cruelest people in the classroom are the other students. The teacher must model an attitude of caring. In doing this we demonstrate to students that to be cared about we must first learn to care. A caring teacher knows their students as individuals and recognizes their special talents. By allowing students the opportunity to be successful the teacher validates them as an individual. This validation can go a long way to helping the student become more of a risk taker.
Finally the teacher must help students recognize fear for what it is. Fear often times is the fear of failure. The fear of not being the best. Teachers must demonstrate to students that it is okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.
By allowing students to be risk takers, modeling a caring attitude, and recognizing fear for what it is, teachers allow the light to come into the lives of their students. The light illuminates their gifts and talents. The light not only comes into the student, but also is able to shine from them.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross put it in a very unique way:
People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.
It is our responsibility to help students find their true beauty through sharing the light and helping them to find their uniqueness that will cause their light to shine from within.
Dr. Arnold is the Coordinator for Educational Administration at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri.
– Michael David Arnold, Ed.D.