GREAT TEACHERS

(part 2 of 3)

Hi readers! This is the continuation of the last issue about the great teachers.

Aristotle

Aristotle was Plato’s student. He was a rich doctor’s son and always preferred the scientific habit of thought. He studied in Plato’s Academy and later established his own, called Lyceum. He thought of research and teaching as “two sides of the same coin.” He taught by persuading his pupils to search for truth. He organized his teaching very thoroughly such that his Lyceum resembled a modern research institute. He was an experienced lecturer and used people and things in the classroom to explain his arguments. He always wanted to show that knowledge was a constant process of discovery. He modeled this system in his lectures and books.

Jesus

The most famous teacher was Jesus of Nazareth. His teaching had two aspects, both vitally important and closely connected. He taught his own pupils and also the Jewish people. His pupils were always with Him, watched and tried to imitate Him and followed Him to Jerusalem. He also taught the general public in the synagogue, delivered speeches to huge crowds who gather to hear Him in the open air. They followed Him for a long time, simply hoping he would say or do something. Once he delivered a speech to a crowd from a boat. At another time, He made his famous speech while sitting on a hill with His pupils all around Him.

His methods of teaching as gleaned from the gospels were: first, His speeches, like the sermon at the mount. It was in separate verses. He sat on the ground and the pupils gathered around because He was to say something memorable. He started with “Blessed are the humble in heart; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Then He continued on and uttered sentences out of his mind in preparation for his mission as a teacher. This method of teaching is called “gnomic” because gnome means a wise saying. His listeners remembered fully the structure of his parables. He spoke like an original thinker.

His second method of teaching was to utter one important piece of wisdom which is remembered since it expressed his character completely, and no one else could have said it. Sometimes they are answers to hard questions or solutions to problems. Most sages during that time were taught by this method. Sometimes he would give a lesson by telling a story which always illustrated a moral lesson.

His third method is anchored on the saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words” and that people learn most quickly by doing something or seeing something done. His first miracle was the creation of wine, thus approving marriage and drinking. His ritual of the last supper is up to now celebrated around the world.

His fourth method was by propaganda. After learning, he sent his pupils to travel and spread his teachings. He encouraged them to disseminate his ideas. He has trained them to teach other teachers.

To be continued…