Freeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel Thread ~ THE POWER OF A TEACHER~ September 14, 2008

The Canteen Crew ^ | September 6, 20013 | Serving the Best Troops and Vets in the WORLD!

[Brad’s Gramma]

 

 

 

 

 

THE POWER OF A TEACHER

Yesterday, I related the story of a young man who had been labeled as "retarded," yet achieved remarkable success because of one teacher who convinced him that someone else's judgment need not become his reality. The account pointed out the importance of a healthy self-image, and the power of a vision. Today, I want to expand on that thought a bit. What was it that made the teacher in that story so different? Confidence? Experience? Expertise? No, I think it was something far more basic. Let me illustrate with another example.

Eric Butterworth tells the story of a college professor who once sent his sociology class into the Baltimore slums to take case histories on 200 boys. Based on these histories, and their previous studies of sociology, the students then evaluated each boy's likelihood of future success. In every case the prognosis was the same: "This kid doesn't have a chance."

Twenty-five years later, another professor came across that study and had his students follow up. The shocking results contradicted all accepted sociological theory. Twenty of the subjects had died, or had moved away and could not be located. Of the remaining 180, however, all but four had achieved more than ordinary success as lawyers, doctors and businessmen! What could account for this remarkable turn of events?

Intrigued, the professor investigated the matter further. Soon a consistent pattern began to emerge. Each of these men had been motivated and encouraged by a teacher. In fact, by the SAME teacher! She was much older now, but still alive and alert, so the learned scholar sought her out. "What magical formula," he asked, "had she had used to pull these boys out of the slums and into successful careers?" Her eyes sparkled as she said with a gentle smile, "It's really very simple; I LOVED those boys."

That's the real key, isn't it? As someone has said, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." I have an acquaintance who wants very much to be a coach. He is knowledgeable of his sport, experienced (as a player) and credentialed as a coach. Yet he has proven to be totally ineffective at teaching and motivating young players. Why? They view him as a "bully" -- arrogant, uncaring and harsh. And the fact that they neither respect nor trust him is reflected in their performance.

Consider, on the other hand, the example of Annie Sullivan, who took on the task of training a child with multiple handicaps. In his book, THERE'S A LOT MORE TO HEALTH AND NOT BEING SICK, Bruce Larson points out that, when Ms. Sullivan began her work, her charge was little more than a "hostile, rebellious, untamed animal." With "tough love", however, Ms. Sullivan fought her way in to the girl's life and released one of the most gifted and inspirational women of all time -- Helen Keller. Larson concludes, "Each of us has the power to perform miracles of that sort, if we can begin to communicate to other people that they are important to us, and of supreme value in the sight of God."

One of the most cherished passages in the Christian scriptures (I Corinthians 13) concludes with the statement that three things -- faith, hope and love -- will last throughout eternity. "But the greatest of these," it advises, "is love." May our lives and our legacies reflect that guiding principle.

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[Pusterfuss]

Good Sunday morning Kathy. (63)

[SandRat]

Good Sabbath to You.

[mylife]

http://www.statesman.com/news/mediahub/media/slideshow/index.jsp?tId=119336

[smokingfrog]

the best teacher = MOM

[SevenofNine]

Breaking news from Drudge site report that Barclays banks has pull out of merge with troubled Lehanon brokeage firm and report too that banks are freaking over investment investogrr would get all their money out from their banks

TOMKOW ESPN.com report that they agree play Cubs vs Houston Astros this week in Mluwakee becasue of Hurricane Ike

[SevenofNine]

Breaking news from Drudge site report that Barclays banks has pull out of merge with troubled Lehanon brokeage firm and report too that banks are freaking over investment investogrr would get all their money out from their banks

TOMKOW ESPN.com report that they agree play Cubs vs Houston Astros this week in Mluwakee becasue of Hurricane Ike

[SevenofNine]

Breaking news from Kydto news wire report of undenified foreign submarine been messing with Japan Navy and US Navy last night in overnight cycles

OH OH is the Free Republic’s official mascot Godzilla at again????

[Kathy in Alaska]

Happy Lord's Day to you, MM...((HUGS))...busy weekend, following family in Houston. They are fine, but without power. Watching trees because of saturated ground. A thunderstorm went thru last night...more rain.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

I Surrender All

Something About That Name

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Savior Savior

In Perfect Peace

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Savior Savior

In Perfect Peace

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Come Holy Spirit

He Giveth More Grace

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

When The Glorys Gone

Whispering Hope

[MeekMom]

I’ll be keepin’ your family in my thoughts & prayers Kathy! ((Big Hugs)) :)

(so glad to see FR is finally back up tonight)

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]