The Virtues of a Good Teacher : หน้า 16/47

holdes that knowledge. A good trainer must guide the pupil to utilize knowledge only in a positive and beneficial way. That way, knowledge will be useful not only for the one who possesses that knowledge but also for everyone in society. RECIPE FOR A GOOD TEACHER Just as a good cook understands and ensures the best ingredients and methods of preparation are employed, combining and presenting the finished product of their knowledge, skills and labours, a teacher must have a clear understanding of what goes into making a good teacher. Apart from the four elements of earth, water, air and fire the main ingredient is a virtuous human being with commendable habits, one who consciously or unconsciously follows the Noble Eightfold Path and has a strong will to think and do based on goodness, with a mind that is not easily distracted or defiled by kilesa. Such a human being brings happiness and provides others with the tools to overcome their own sufferings and those of other human beings in this lifetime and lifetimes to come. EDUCATION, TEACHING AND LEARNING Education is both the imparting and acquiring of knowledge or wisdom through the process of teaching and learning. In terms of a good quality education, the intention is to develop students in body, thought, word and action that will in turn lead to good habits, good behaviour and produce good human beings. The habits of focused studying, engaging in good activities and actions, plus the habit of being aware of and caring for their own health and wellbeing are all essential if students are to realize their full potential as good human beings. Teaching effectively and appropriately requires orderly well-planned progression if the education is to achieve the required quality of intention and purpose. There are three resources that combine to deliver quality education: Human, Material and Knowledge. Human resources relate to the principal teachers in the student’s life, parents or guardians, formal tutors, spiritual mentors, and the society and environment around the pupil. TRAINING THE TRAINERS 30 Material resources consist of money and financial support, buildings, facilities or suitable environments and utilities. Knowledge is the accessible information, facts, truths and principles that the curriculum for living one’s life requires to be complete. It must be noted that with education, the management and implementation of this knowledge can only be asessed with methods of evaluation built into each stage of the curriculum. Without evaluation the student may be perceived erroneously to have progressed despite an incomplete understanding or knowledge. Throughout the process of teaching, the teacher must constantly be aware of shaping and fashioning the pupils, first and foremost, as human beings. A student of moderate academic achievement who is a good human being, is far more equipped to escape the prison of ‘indelible suffering’ cycle than a student awakened/ excellence due to more understanding or commitment to achieve human potential in this lifetime. The latter will not only endure sufferings because of an incomplete understanding of the human condition but also will create disharmony all around. Learning requires self-discipline and good habits that the teacher must instil into pupils if they are to appreciate and benefit from the tuition received. A good teacher will create an enthusiasm and eagerness in the pupil to want to learn and continually gain knowledge. The teacher will develop the correct environment and level of respect that enables approaches to achievement by the pupils, and which in turn empowers pupils with the correct approach to be able to seek knowledge from all available and proper resources. The student must be encouraged to review what has been learned, to ensure comprehension and absorption of knowledge precisely and fully. With appropriate encouragement and praise, the pupils will develop the habit of appreciating success to the extent that the thirst for right knowledge continuously increases and is never satiated. To develop good habits of learning the teacher must instruct pupils to undertake and assume certain responsibilities. These responsibilities are to refrain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, telling lies and allowing bias into their daily lives, surrendering to the temptations that straddle the ‘Roads to Ruin’, and also