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By Rabbi Gershon Avtzon 

It is at this time of the year that schools begin in earnest to focus on the upcoming year and to make sure that they have the right staff in place for the various classes and grades. It is the accepted custom in America that if a school wants to dismiss a teacher for the upcoming school year, they must inform the teacher by 33 Omer or else they are considered responsible to pay that teacher’s salary for the full year (unless they get a different job).

This being the case, it is important to discuss the various components of a successful teacher and thus to know what to look for when hiring for the upcoming year. There are three main components of a successful teacher: 1) The desire and passion to inspire and change the lives of the students 2)Having the proper knowledge of the subject material and the ability to give it over in a way that the student will understand and comprehend. 3) The proper classroom management skills to maintain the proper decorum in the class.

There are too many well-intentioned yungeleit that have the greatest desire to inspire and change the lives of their students that simply are not successful because they do not have the proper classroom management skills. They are always being disturbed and interrupted and don’t have a chance to give over their carefully prepared lessons and ideas. These teachers usually end up coming home emotionally exhausted and are the quickest to burn out of teaching. In addition: Many principals may walk by their class and judge the teacher and the orderliness of the class and not take into consideration the dedication and passion that the teacher possesses.

This is a big shame, as – in my opinion – the greatest quality that a teacher could have is the desire and passion to educate and inspire. Students do not grow and get inspired by the information they are taught, it is by the person that is teaching the information. The passion in which the subject material is given over, and the deep belief in the student that the teacher possesses and the student feels, is what inspires and motivates.

As administrators of educational institutions, we must remember the following rule: Classroom management techniques and systems can always be taught and implemented. Sincere care, dedication and passion can’t be duplicated and very rarely develops in a teacher over time. Thus while it may be easier to look for a teacher that possesses – naturally – the skills to manage the classroom, we should really be looking for the person that has the passion and fire for the mission of education. We – the administrators – should work hard to provide the structure, discipline and the necessary guidance for the teacher to develop his management skills so that he can implement his ideas and ideals.

I would like to share a letter (Yes – by now my loyal reader knows that I have a strong passion for sharing letters of the Rebbe!) related to this topic (Igros volume 9 page 243 #2865):

“Regarding your question, that there are certain teachers that there is a concern that they do not seem to fitting for the job (as teachers): It is known the ruling of our Torah that in regards to teaching students, we must take into consideration the gain and benefit that the students receive as (the general rule is that) the benefit of the many outweighs the benefit of the individual (in this case the teacher – RGA).

But it is important to take into consideration, when making these decisions, that what matters in education – not only how much the teacher knows, but also – is the dedication and devotion of the educator. So when it comes to deciding the future employment of a specific teacher, you should take both of these concepts (the knowledge/skills and devotion) into account and then decide accordingly”.

There is a well-known saying – which I have personally seen to be true – that when it comes to teaching: “They don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care!” It is that care – which is so often overlooked and undervalued – that is the key to the success of an inspiring and elevating chinuch.

This is not just written for administrators of schools, but also for parents of students. When you see a teacher with care and passion, appreciate it and treasure it. Give that teacher the support that they may need to be successful, as his success is your child’s future.

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Rabbi Gershon Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati and a well-sought-after speaker and lecturer. Please feel free to share your thoughts on the above by sending me a R’ Avtzon email: [email protected]

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