Teachers Who Shaped Us
By Rachel Ofo
Between kindergarten, middle school, high school, and university, I’ve had around 85–100 different teachers, and a few of them have made a significant enough imprint to have shaped who I am today.
Teachers can affect us in different ways, sometimes positively and sometimes negatively. Either way, regardless of whether we have an extremely fun, boring, or mean teacher, our brains react accordingly and a teacher’s impact goes well beyond a few homework and test scores. The quality of a teacher’s skills and the support they provide can affect our mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Think about your favorite teacher. Remember what they looked like, what they sounded like, how they taught, what they taught, and most importantly, how they made you feel when you were in class. Excited? Inspired? Safe? Now, consider a teacher you didn’t really enjoy. Why not? Was it their teaching style? Their attitude? The way their shoes squeaked on the ground? I had just as many teachers I adored as I didn’t, and for various reasons. However, regardless of what was taught—or not taught—in the classroom, I was still able to learn a lot about myself.
It's not just about grades
In my younger years, I was what one calls an “overachiever”. I naturally enjoyed learning and befriending all my teachers. It was easy to hop into a new grade and grasp new concepts. However, that zeal was challenged once I entered middle school. We were constantly reminded that we were no longer children and shouldn’t be treated as such. This was when I encountered the first teacher I didn’t like, and that’s putting it lightly. Without boring you with all the details of the daily struggles and arguments I had with him, I will admit I was absolutely thrilled to complete that grade; although I was top of his class, I loathed every moment, despite the subject being my favorite. This goes to show how “good grades” should not be the only indicator of a good class or skilled instructor.
A lifetime of inspiration
On the other hand, I had another teacher in high school who was the most nurturing educator I could ever ask for. Even though I struggled with a few concepts, he never made me feel incompetent. He always, gently, pushed me to try a little bit harder or try something completely new. I can confidently say the route my life has taken and many of the decisions I have made up until this point were due to one conversation at the tennis courts, when he simply said: “But just try it out. You never know what might happen.” I’ve carried that simple but impactful motto with me since I was 13 years old. That’s probably why I ended up packing my bags and moving to Thailand. Thanks, Mr. Desai! Because of the compassion shown by this teacher, I have been able to build a teaching foundation where I lead with the same compassion in my classroom, on the court, and even at home.
My life as a teacher
I’ve been fortunate enough to have had a variety of teaching experiences. After university, I assisted in an adult language school. After that, I found myself teaching in Thailand. Once that was completed, I continued with private teaching of younger learners. Then I decided to take on homeschooling my daughter, which I’ve been doing for a few years now. And finally, I recently began coaching volleyball. Although all these variations of teaching have come with their own sets of skills and challenges, the goal is the same: to inspire. Regardless of whether I’m teaching adults how to write a sentence in the past tense or teaching a child how to serve a ball, I want to ensure they feel inspired, even when it gets difficult—and anyone who’s taught or learned English knows how difficult it can get.
A supportive environment
Between learning and teaching, I understand that another important skill to have is the ability to support others. This support doesn’t start and end with those who struggle, either. Even the learners who seem like they have it together may need a little hand or commendation now and again. That’s what I appreciated the most about the teachers I’ve bonded with. Although I had strengths, it was always nice to know that someone was there to catch me if I fell, or failed—which happened a couple of times. So, I take this idea with me, and I know it will stay relevant to teaching, even as society and methods of teaching change.
Learning in the era of budding technology was fun. I remember when our school received new iMac G3s—you know, the big, colorful, see-through computers—we felt like the coolest kids in the area. I remember learning how to type words on my clunky Ti-83 graphing calculator. Now, everyone, including some children, has a computer and calculator in their pocket. So, how do teachers keep the excitement of learning? Simply put, by taking advantage of the technologically inclined, socially connected world around us. As an adult, some of my favorite teachers have come from social media. For teaching anything from complex chemistry, to fun foraging, to the perils of parenting, I’ve been able to use social media to aid me while still holding on to this idea of inspiring and supporting.
The takeaway is to learn how to use the good, the bad, and the ugly to teach. The best teachers are always the best learners, so don’t be afraid to adjust and try something new, because “you never know what might happen”. Let’s continue to find the beauty in new ideas and enjoy the journey of learning new ways to inspire ourselves and those around us. And while this article has highlighted conventional teachers, let’s not forget that teaching comes in various forms. As parents, as friends, and as residents of the world, those around us inadvertently learn from us. Let’s be the teachers we loved growing up.
About the Author
Rachel Ofo moved from the US to Bangkok in 2016 and spent six and a half years there. She has a daughter, whom she loves dragging around on various adventures like hikes and fishing trips. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and trying new restaurants. She also enjoys being out in nature.