The Hands of the Teacher
After 30 years (’57-’86) in the classroom I
am convinced that the personal example the
teacher sets before the student is the
single most important reason learning
occurs. Example offers a behavioral
definition of character that may determine
a student’s perception of his own value,
the value of others, and reciprocal rights
and responsibilities. Since emulation is
both an early and an on-going learning
method and because everyone passes through
the hands of the teacher, the example of
the teacher-leader is, I believe, funda-
mental to the successful human experience.
When standards are personalized and
manifest in teacher conduct, the student’s
perception of other criteria for measuring
other values and options prior to decision-
making becomes more and more comprehensible.
Such a comprehension may be considered
critical to the student’s personal ability
to anticipate consequence of choice and
ensure survival and progression.
James Baxter
For the complete article please go to
http://www.geocities.com/James-Baxter/
– James Baxter