“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”
William Arthur Ward
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” Plutarch
Have you ever had a favorite teacher?
Not just one who made class really fun, but one who also inspired you to learn and want to always do better?
I think that most of us, upon reflection, can recall at least one teacher who truly inspired us to be the very best that we could be. That teacher had a way of making you want to learn.
I have recently been asked to write a blog on the subject of what people should look for when they are seeking out a teacher or tutor.
They want to know what qualities they should look for in a teacher or tutor.
I find this to be a very important question particularly in the realm of music lessons. The Internet is full of people who learn a few rock songs and then, presuming to be teachers, try to sell lessons. On the other hand, I have also met people who have had a PhD in guitar, and who were brilliant players, but had absolutely no capacity to teach.
So, what qualities should you look for in a teacher?
I believe that the answer can be found in the two quotes at the beginning of this column.
First, a teacher must be able to tell the student what to do. I realize that this seems rather obvious, but it really involves more than you may think. It means that the teacher must have a thorough understanding, not only of the material to be taught, but also the most effective way to communicate that information. Not everyone has the same learning styles and a teacher must identify the method of teaching which will achieve the best results for each student.
Second, a teacher must be able to explain. It is not enough for a student to know what to do, they should also understand why they are doing it. In my guitar lessons, for example, I always emphasize an understanding of music theory and proper technique. Regarding technique, a student needs to understand both the benefits of proper technique and the dangers of poor technique. Regarding theory, I impress upon my students the need to understand music, as this understanding will greatly enhance their enjoyment of music, as well as make music easier to comprehend and figure out for themselves.
Third, a teacher should be able to demonstrate. This is important for multiple reasons. Obviously, a teacher should be competent and skilled at that which they profess to teach. It is, therefore, not unreasonable to ask a potential teacher for a brief demonstration. Additionally, students learn much more easily if instruction is accompanied by demonstration. A good demonstration also serves to inspire the student to work hard and be the best that they can be, which brings me to my final point.
A teacher must be able to inspire. To paraphrase Plutarch, they must be able to kindle that fire in each student's mind for learning. The teacher shows the student what is possible, and inspires the student to do what is necessary to achieve it.
In my humble opinion, these are the characteristics which a person should look for when they are seeking a teacher. If a student can find such a teacher, and they are willing to put in the required amount of effort, they ensure themselves of the best chance of attaining their educational goals, whatever those goals may be.
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