The Teacher & The Student

We often talk about teachers we have had in the past. We typically remember the great teachers and the not-so-great teachers. I definitely remember the great teachers in my life. I also know there will be many more in the future.

What about the flip side though? As a teacher, what do you think they remember? I'm guessing it's the same. They remember the great students and they remember the students who perhaps tested them more than they would have liked (to put it lightly).

I've started taking piano lessons at the same time as my son and yesterday was another lesson. I started off the lesson by saying "I have not been a good student. I did not do everything you asked me to do."

She responded with, "you would have to do much more than that to be a bad student." Which is likely true. I'm sure she has plenty of interesting students come through there. Especially kids who do not want to be there.

That being said, I don't want to just be a good student. I want to be a great student. What makes a great student?

• Show up on time.
• Do what you say you're going to do (plus more).
• Listen.
• Ask lots of quality questions.
• Be engaged.
• Have fun (but take it seriously).
• Surpass the teacher.

That last one important. I believe that every great teacher wants their students to surpass them. It's what they live for. They want to train the best. They are proud of it!

You and I have had many bad teachers in the past. But perhaps it was not always the teacher. Maybe the student was not showing up.

Teachers can only teach students who want to learn.