A Good Teacher and the Best Teacher
By Shin Chul-ho
This year, a teacher of unique personality came to the school I work at. He teaches English exclusively like I do.
The more I got acquainted with him, the more I came to know what he is.
He loves reading. One day when I entered his classroom to have a chat, I found him reading “The Elegant Universe” by Brian Greene.
A few days passed. I saw him having lunch in the school cafeteria. I sat next to him and asked if he had finished the book.
He said, “Yes. I’ve got another book, `E=MC2′ by David Bodanis.”
It seemed to me that he was eager to further gain access to the secrets of the universe.
A couple of months ago I suggested to him that we go swimming together.
He answered positively but I did not believe him because all the teachers who promised to have a swim together broke their promises.
In the early morning the next day I saw him on the way to his room with a stuffed bag.
“What do you have in your bag?” I asked. “My swimsuit and some books.” he replied.
He did not forget his agreement to go to the swimming pool. So now I sometimes go swimming with him.
On the first day when we decided to enjoy swimming, we agreed to meet at the front gate at 5 p.m.
I hurried to be on time but the time was ticking past 17:05. My cell phone rang.
“Where are you now?” “I’m coming!” I did not know that he is so punctual.
At the swimming pool he showed his distinctive behavior again. There were several floatation-boards scattered along the front edge of the swimming pool. He began to pick them up one by one and put them back where they belong.
“Are they an eyesore for you?” I asked, giggling. “It should be done by somebody.” he replied seriously.
A couple more things characterize his behavior.
Whenever he comes across anyone he knows, he always says hello to them first, wearing a big smile, whether or not they are older or younger than him.
In this society where many people often pass by without greeting each other, seeing him might be like seeing an oasis in a desert.
He loves children in earnest. Every time I leave the school cafeteria with him, he is hailed by many children here and there. “Hello!” “Hi!” “Nice to see you!”
I often go to his classroom after having lunch and brushing my teeth to chat with him. He always serves me a cup of green tea and I can see what’s happening in his room. In early spring, I could see him grow a few dandelions in a small flowerpot at the window with care. We talked about the dandelion ranging from the origin of its English name to its pharmaceutical effects on the human body. Last week he said he was very sorry that most children are so ignorant of wild plants and that he was planning to describe scores of wild plants with their pictures on the school website.
The day before yesterday I was with him, talking over green tea after lunch in his room. As always, children were free to come and go. Some children came to him saying something trivial, while others were scribbling on the blackboard. Suddenly, three children holding dragonflies between their fingers came in and stood around him to show the dragonflies. He said raising his voice a little, “Those are not toys. Let them fly away!” On hearing his admonition, I was very glad to find a comrade who stands in awe of life.
He will be transferred to another school to be promoted to vice principal in September. I heard him say several times that he will be a vice principal who serves teachers, not dominates them. He has also dreamed up a plan to make the school he works for full of ideal programs for both students and teachers. I doubt if his dreams can be put into practice in the rigid system of the Korean educational circle, though. I know he is not a perfect person and he can also make mistakes. However, his positive side outweighs his negative side for sure.
I hope he does not give up his first intention and I will keep my fingers crossed for his bright future.
As an epilogue, I feel obliged to quote a passage from “Who is the best teacher?” by Fred H. Stocking , which was given to me by him.
A good teacher and the best teacher
A good teacher can tell his students a lot of answers to a lot of questions.
But the best teacher can play dumb while helping his students think out the answers for themselves.
A good teacher is an eager and enthusiastic talker.
But the best teacher knows how to be quiet and patient while his students struggle to formulate their own thoughts in their own words.
A good teacher is humble; he naturally feels that the accumulated wisdom of his subjects is far more important than himself.
But the best teacher is even humbler; for he respects the feeling of young people that they are naturally far more important than a silly old subject.
A good teacher knows that his students ought to be honest, responsible, and good citizens.
But the best teacher knows that… [these qualities] are communicated through daily actions, not daily lectures.
The students of a good teacher pass their course, graduate and settle down with good jobs.
But students of the best teacher go on receiving rewards every day of their lives for they have discovered that the life of the inquiring mind is exciting.
** Shin Chul-ho is an elementary school teacher in Kohung, South Cholla Province.
-인용 : 2003년 7월 24일자(목요일)
KOREA TIMES [Thoughts of The Times] Column 에서
지식의 전수자로서의 역할도 매우 중요한 교사의 직분이겠지만, 자신의 삶을 사랑하고 소중하게 가꾸어 갈 줄 아는 학생들로 키워나가려 애쓰는 교사야 말로 가장 훌륭한 모습의 선생님이 아닐까 생각합니다.
신철호 선생님의 고마운 글에 감사의 마음을 전합니다.
