They say that the most effective teachers are those who present good examples rather than just using “talk and chalk.” A teacher who can get a learner to actually see and experience the lesson might give a lesson that stays with the learner for life. Deep learning involves making the lesson your own to the point where you can repeat it with “your hands tied behind your back.” It becomes second
nature, almost part of your DNA. For example, most of us can count up to 1000 or more “with our eyes closed.” We don’t need anyone or anything to prompt us.
Another way of teaching is to threaten punishment. Our maths teacher at the good Catholic school I attended was not shy about using his cane. In fact, he had a cupboard full of them. To this day, I can still recall the 17 and 19 times tables. Not that I need them frequently.
Rote learning – just reciting a series of ‘facts’ – brings them into a shallow memory. For example, many of us can still remember our catechism, but I wonder whether the lessons have come through to a deeper level where we have an actual experience of God and Jesus, who loves and saves us. Maybe these come from another experience we might have had of God.
Jesus is clearly the model teacher. On two occasions in this short gospel
passage, it is mentioned that the people are amazed or astonished at his teaching. Unlike some of the other teachers, Jesus taught with authority. He became more and more famous in the whole region.
Maybe we can pause for a moment and think of the good teachers we have had in our lives – teachers who have made a difference in how we see things – teachers whose lessons we remember even today. They may not all be like Jesus. They
may not even have any religion at all. But they have shaped my worldview and passed on skills and understandings that I wouldn’t otherwise have. We can also remember our weaker teachers–who tried and cared but didn’t make an impression. We are grateful for their contribution to our growing up. Maybe I was the one who had some kind of blockage, or the chemistry between us just didn’t work.
Reflections by Peter Knox SJ
