Who was your favorite teacher?

* Was it the teacher who inspired you to do better than you thought you could?
* Was it the teacher who recognized a special ability or talent in you?
* Was it a teacher who made you feel significant?
* Was it a teacher who challenged you by not accepting less than your best?

There are many reasons why we remember a special teacher, but it is almost universal that the favorite teacher connected with us as an individual, not just as a student.

As a teacher I have thought frequently about the qualities that make teachers effective. We had our first child at the very end (June 9th) of my third year of teaching. I think I approached my early parenting much as I did my teaching – not necessarily a good thing.

My father taught high school biology for 40 years. He instilled in myself and my brothers a deep love and respect for God’s creation. He did not lecture us or demand answers that would display our ignorance. He taught by example explaining the divine nature reflected in the world around us. What I remember most was the enjoyment he communicated when sharing his knowledge of plants and animals. My father communicated his faith through his knowledge of the natural world. The world was not an accident, but the result of a divine plan.

Parents are childrens’ first teachers. I think it is important for parents to recognize this role – and not only if they are homeschooling their children. Our role as teachers should be one of teaching by example and WITH LOVE guiding our children.

The apostle Paul writes to Timothy recorded in I Timothy 1:2-5:

2 I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
3 When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. 4 Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations,which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.
5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.

We could use verse 5 as the “Parent’s Goal” in teaching our children. “the purpose of my instuction is that my children would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.

That says it all.

As a parent or grandparent, will I be a memorable teacher for the right reasons?