[Jae Rae]

Good post, Orangey.

I think the best teachers show us something important about Life, not just the subject in question. By example, they show a love of learning, courage in overcoming obstacles or some other important quality. Think back on your best teachers - they all convey their humanity in a significant way. IOW, they act as strong role models, not just as journalism or German teachers, but as responsible and admirable adults. I've noticed this in my own teachers and in my kids' teachers as well. The ones who just try to be nice to the kids or act as their friends are often the most ineffective. The ones who hold the bar high and expect a lot are the ones the kids respect, emulate and love.

My daughter's Latin teacher, one of the hardest at her school, had very high standards, and a strict schedule of testing, homework and projects; my daughter did her work and learned a lot of Latin; she also loves this teacher, as do many other kids. She made the class fun with jokes (in Latin), stories and costumes, but she expected the kids to work and wasn't afraid to tell some of them, including mine, they had to work harder or they wouldn't learn Latin, which is a difficult language. She didn't set out to win their affection, she set out to teach them Latin.