Laura

Life Experience

Daily writing prompt
What makes a teacher great?
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The best teacher isn’t always a specific person

I guess I feel this is a bit of a sore subject with me, since unfortunately many of the teachers I’ve had in life didn’t fall under the “great” category at all.

I suppose in an effort to not throw shade at every teacher and lump them into one category (hate when they do that with nurses, too!) I’ll just focus on what I feel to be most important overall.

I think in order to teach someone something, you have to be understanding, patient, and also have enough knowledge about a subject to make it translate well so others can understand.

You have to be a fine balance of assertive enough to make the subject stick, but also with a dose of conscious humility to not make people think you’re an arrogant ass expert.

In fact, most people who think they are experts at something, have a hell of a lot to actually learn.

And oddly enough, I love to teach people things, but that’s if they actually want to learn and put in the time and effort

Meanwhile…in my opinion, the greatest teacher of all is life experience.

Nothing like going out, fucking it up, and then overcoming and finally being successful.

It’s not always easy, nor does it always fall right into our lap, even if it’s something we truly want.

But once you attain it, it’s so worth it.

There’s such a vast world out there to learn from.

Nature is even a great teacher. A wonderful messenger, if you allow yourself to listen to it.

Experience – learning from our own mistakes.

Learning how to become our true selves, and not based on anyone else’s expectations.

Yep…life is the greatest teacher of all.

And we should always continue learning.

A peaceful Sunday! Manifest it! Maybe even with a touch of thunderstorms, too? ⛈️

51 comments

      • Thank you! I really hope I come across that way. My syllabi have been rewritten dozens of times, and I’m especially trying to be mindful of what my students vs what they need in my private lessons with them. It can be a tricky balance! Those little improvements over time really add up.

        Did you have any one particular teacher or certain subject that really stood out to you?

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      • Yeah, see exactly what I mean! You’re definitely not stagnant, rewriting and taking into consideration your students’ needs, and I imagine it can’t be easy, and even sometimes a difficult and thankless job. Those are great qualities to have! What part of teaching do you like the most?

        I’ve always liked history, but one of my history teachers in school was a huge jerk. 😆 I guess, if I had to pick it would’ve been my Med/Surg teacher in nursing school. She was not the nicest lol, but if you caught on quick she was decent to you and you could learn a lot from her. I guess for me as well, you don’t always have to be the sweet flowery type for me to be interested in what insight you have to offer, lol! 😆

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      • History! Any particular part of history? I was super into Japanese history for awhile but I got overwhelmed because it is so completely vast. I loved my Jazz History course during my masters degree and it seemed more manageable because it only went back about 150 years. Only! 😂

        Sounds like your med/surg teacher was exactly what you needed to get the most from your schooling. Those personalities can be tough but very effective!

        I really enjoy just the genuine interactions between all the different personalities I see throughout the day. I learn a lot about myself simply by learning about others. And, of course, I get immense joy from seeing my students be successful in their performances! Hard work pays off and it’s rewarding to see them shine on stage when that moment finally comes.

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      • Sorry, I fell back asleep 😂 coffee now ☕️!!
        History, well…the guy that was a dingdong to me was a US history teacher. But if I had to pick a history I guess it would history of ancient civilizations, those always fascinate me. Haha! Jazz history sounds pretty amazing! 150 years of music history is pretty awesome tho lol 😆

        Sometimes those types of teachers are – maybe they don’t seem like it at the time but then end up actually helping you learn in ways that you can only credit later on.

        Oh, that’s so nice to hear. I feel like some people just go through the motions of the day, and sounds like you’re really immersed in yours which is great. A definite pay off to be proud of! And thank you for sharing, I do think we learn so much from each other in our daily lives and interactions, even just on this platform! I know you’ve certainly encouraged me to keep going with writing, and that is so, so appreciated! ☺️

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      • I think it’s incredibly humbling to study ancient civilizations. They endured so many hardships for us to make it this far!

        Definitely not going through the motions as a music teacher. Always progress to be made with our repertoire and technique!

        Happy to know my encouragement has helped for you – it seems like you’re getting quotes the following. Are you viral???! 😃

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      • Very true! And so many spiritual practices and languages and the like stem from ancient times and traditions, and even traveling to those locations just kinda transports me history wise, I guess you could say I’m a little obsessed with it! Haha 😆

        And for sure! Good to know, as it seems like a profession and career that would be super fulfilling, even though it’s hard work.

        And lol 😂 I dunno about viral, but thank you! I try to connect with as many people as I can, I do think I’ve met some really awesome people through this platform, even with all the strange things I post, people are still open and very welcoming of that, which I so appreciate 😊

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      • Thank you!! Super appreciate that! 😊 I do try to post something for everyone if I can, and hopefully people resonate with it! Haha 😆 happy Sunday!

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  5. ‘Learning how to become our true selves, and not based on anyone else’s expectations.’

    I’ve never had an issue with this, as |I’m sure most who know me will concur! 😉 But it’s as you say, possibly the most pertinent Life Lesson for anyone.

    I had some terrific teachers at school and some great athletics coaches. Tied in with the above, those I found the best and would get me to produce my best results, were ones that ‘guided’ and while still strict, allowed for my input / opinion.

    🙂

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    • Haha! Nice! I agree it hasn’t been too much of a struggle to “be me” but I know it can be for some people, and they hide behind a mask at times.

      I agree that stricter teachers always bode better for me, there’s a level of respect and it is more like my personality to be more on the “strict, respected” side than the “airy, flighty” side…I remember one of my teachers in nursing school saying “not everyone always wants a smiley nurse” because I was in fact, the “non-smiley” one haha (and I got a lot of crap for that too) 😆 just not my natural personality to be overly fluffy.

      Anyways! I digress, I agree with all you said, of course 😊 thanks for sharing.

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  6. Growing up we had corporal punishment in schools and many of the teachers were mean spirited. It finally was banned in 1986 in the UK. By then I had already migrated to the US. It probably made me a better teacher, more sensitive to pupil’s needs idk.

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    • Glad to know it was finally banned! One of the schools I went to still uses it here (private, Christian) school, my own mother’s harsh experiences with corporal punishment was one reason she didn’t send me to Catholic school, but I don’t think the one she ended up picking was much better. I’m so glad that you felt it made you a better teacher, but I’m sorry if you had to deal with mean-spirited teachers. That can be absolutely rough and painful! 😣 and we need good teachers, that’s for sure! Thanks for sharing 😊

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      • We had a “Class” system back then too. You were expected to turn out doing what your parents did. e.g my dad was a docker and I was in middle classes… Education has progressed much since then.

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      • Thankfully! So glad that education has become so much better and more accessible in many ways, we can learn literally from our home if we so desire.

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  7. Well said! So many have been teachers for me, but not many of those were teachers by profession! Having had three kids I also know how rare excellent teachers are, rather than people who can look organized.

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    • Thank you! 😊 and I agree, so many people can be a teacher to us without the actual title or label as “teacher,” that’s very true in my case. And ugh, I’m so sure it’s been hard with your children dealing with the teachers who just show up for a paycheck and are mediocre. Difficult!

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  9. Very rightly posted.
    Life is the Greatest school
    God the Greatest Teacher
    Problems the greatest exam
    Failure the best revision.

    All experiences mould us to be our true teacher. ❤️

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  10. The longer I have lived, the more that I have learned that I know far less than I used to think I once knew.

    I have had a few exceptional teachers (formal) in my life, but I’ve been luckier than most people.

    Right now it is most often my own back yard providing the biggest education. 😊

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    • That’s so true! Every time I feel like I have it figured out, something new comes along to stump me 😆

      Glad you’ve had some decent teachers, it is always most fortunate when we are able to come across those in life!

      And yes, whatever we’re encountering, facing, or having to learn about right in front of us can be the best experience, self-taught sometimes! Lol 😆
      Thanks for sharing 😊

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      • I enjoyed your post, thank you Laura. Your comments about life experiences reminded me of all the training and education I received before stepping one foot in a classroom. Nothing can top that education! I am sure you can relate as a nurse. Thank you, btw. Not an easy job, I am sure.

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      • Awww thanks so much for that, Michele! Means a lot to me 😊 and no, it’s not an easy job at all, and I complain a lot about it, but it’s what I chose to do and at the end of the day it can be super rewarding if you truly help someone 🙏 thanks so much again! 😊

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  12. Well said, and my best teachers were my (gridiron) football coaches (most of which were math teachers at other schools) and the instructors I had when I took my EMT classes. Life experience definitely goes a long way.

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    • Thank you! And yes, I’m sure EMT instructors especially have to have a really great understanding of their craft, as it is so important (and life saving!) thanks for sharing!

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  13. Loved this post, Laura ❤ !!! … Private / recovering Catholic school education here (lol) … I had some horror stories, of course … but angels too! I so appreciate your writing on this topic, and I agree Life is the ultimate teacher and she’s got me cornered in the VP office, something about misbehaving (again) … inevitably suspension or detention of some kind! I’m going to wriggle past her … hahaha ~ Happy Sunday, Loveee or what’s left of it 🙂

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    • Recovering ❤️‍🩹 lol!! It so is true! Yeah, I feel ya on the horror stories along with the good parts…funny how that works out. And lol!! 😆 I’m right there with you on the detention lol been experiencing that life lesson over and over in some cases! Happy Sunday to you too and I hope you had a rainy one like I did! ❤️

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