We’ve all be touched by a great teacher. It could have been in a classroom, on the baseball diamond or perhaps in Sunday School. Maybe it was a family member or a Girl Scout leader or it could have been a peer.

We’ve all heard the saying “when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” It has probably applied to all of us at one point or another on both sides of the saying. We’ve been the eager learner one day and the sage prophet the next.

Ever Been Inspired?

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”  – William Arthur Ward

Who was it that made you want to become better? Where were you when someone’s words, lesson or sharing of ideas lit the pilot light underneath your motivation tank and started you running? What do you still do or believe today that, thanks to that person being committed to the relationship he or she had with you, has helped you achieve the levels of success you enjoy today?

What is it that allowed that person to “reach” you? Was it a sense of humor that helped you lower your shield vulnerability? Did they just connect with you ona  verbal or mental level? Maybe something about their teaching style just made you feel that they cared. Did they just have more faith and belief in you than you had in yourself and through their dedication to their role, they helped pull it out of you?

The best teacher? One who makes you want to learn.” – Earl Nightingale

I’ve had many awesome teachers in my lifetime. Some were paid to be teachers, others just happened to “play the role” at the time we interacted. I’m thankful to all of them…even the ones I didn’t like. Now that I am a teacher/instructor/mentor/coach to others, I have come to realize that it’s not always about people liking me (although that is a bonus when it occurs), it is about the lessons I can deliver that will help the student learn and be able to apply it.

I wanted to share this short presentation from a recent TED Talks Education session in New York City. It features a lady named Rita Pierson, a passionate educator sharing her thoughts on why “Every Kid Needs a Champion.”

Click here if you don’t see the video below

Now that you’ve seen Pierson’s passionate message, who did it make you think of?  Who are those “teachers” who have helped you through your personal and professional careers?

Here’s the bigger question. Who do you think would hear that same question and answer with your name?

Keep building relationships, solving problems and having fun!

“I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.”  – Edith Ann