Wanted: Great Teachers

There is a considerable difference between a good teacher and a great one. The full extent of that gap, however, was not impressed upon me until my junior year of high school.

Last year, while most of my classmates labored through Physics, I was overwhelmed by the wisdom, passion, and verve of my nearly 70-year-old AP Biology teacher Ken B. Mr. B, it seems, has been teaching biology since the cell was discovered; certainly, he can still remember when the mystery behind DNA was first unraveled by James Watson and Francis Crick. He is an anachronism in every sense of the word, and yet, he seems to connect to the students of my generation in profound ways. Walking into his classroom, to me, seemed like taking a step into Mr. Roger’s neighborhood; the radiance and genuine interest emitting from his body, from his room’s ambiance, always welcomed and comforted me. He did not lecture or bore us, but rather, he helped us cultivate an interest in learning, in living in the world of biology. In essence, he taught me how to become an advocate for my own education.

Mr. B helped me discover the light amid the darkness and uncertainty of my future. He showed me the value in having great educators, setting a positive example that I someday aspire to emulate. Just as he taught my generation (and my parent’s generation), I hope to instruct the next generation of thinkers, dreamers, and leaders. I will help them foster a deep appreciation for learning, instilling the passion and desire that will make them lifelong learners. This I must do, not just to ensure my own fulfillment, but also to guarantee the prosperity and security of our posterity.