"The true teacher defends his pupils against his own personal influence. He inspires self-distrust. He guides their eyes from himself to the spirit that quickens him. He will have no disciple"
- Amos Bronson Alcott
About this Quote
This quote by Amos Bronson Alcott speaks to the value of an instructor's function in the education of their students. A true instructor must not impose their own individual beliefs and values on their trainees, however rather must encourage their students to believe on their own and develop their own opinions. The teacher ought to be a guide, helping their students to find the knowledge and understanding that lies within themselves. The instructor needs to not be a disciple, but rather ought to influence their students to rely on their own capabilities and to be confident in their own choices. A true instructor must be a facilitator, assisting their students to explore and discover the world around them. They should be a source of assistance and guidance, but not a source of control. A real teacher ought to be a mentor, assisting their students to reach their full capacity and to end up being independent thinkers.
"When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said "Let us pray." We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land"