Who's Hero Are You?
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.