Compare and Contrast Essay: What Role Does a Teacher Play?

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge,” said Albert Einstein. There is nothing more essential than acquiring knowledge, expanding ones understanding of the world we live in and the people who have shaped and continue to shape the world we live in. Education is fundamental to success and at the root of education is the teacher. Teachers develop minds, showing pupils the tools necessary to expand their minds and also how to implement those tools in their everyday lives and influence the world around them. No matter the curriculum a good teacher must gain his/her students respect, create a rewarding environment, genuinely care for the welfare of their pupils and possess a passion for knowledge and teaching. The role of the teacher is to “inspire to aspire,” Jaime Escalante and Jack MacFarland are excellent examples of inspirational teachers.

Both teachers from the very start of class commanded respect from their classroom. Jaime Escalante began by setting some ground rules, stating that, “There will be no free rides, no excuses. You already have two strikes against you: your name and your complexion. Because of those two strikes, there are some people in this world who will assume that you know less than you do. *math* is the great equalizer… When you go for a job, the person giving you that job will not want to hear your problems; ergo, neither do I. You are going to work harder here than you’ve ever worked anywhere else. And the only thing I ask of you is to have *ganas* *desire*” he continues, “If you don’t have the *ganas,* I will give it to you because I am an expert.” Simply pointing out the hard truth, and not accepting excuses for poor performance set standards for Escalante’s students instilled if not respect a sense of understanding. When challenged by their students both Escalante and MacFarland used similar tactics of control. Instead of disciplining their students for misbehavior they would challenge them mentally, make a point that would force the student to reconsider their current standing. MacFarland made references to literature, and role played his way into challenges with unruly teenagers. As his former student Mike Rose wrote, “Jack MacFarland, this tobacco-stained intellectual, brandished linguistic weapons of a kind I hadn’t encountered before… if nothing else, we recognized MacFarland’s considerable intelligence and respected the hours he put into his work.” By creating an environment of mutual respect the teachers set their students at a more mature level, opening them up to the idea that they could achieve academic success. Neither Mr. MacFarland nor Mr. Escalante set the bar low, both expected their students to achieve at a higher academic level.

Both Escalante and MacFarland held a rigorous class schedule, always quizzing, testing and asking questions. They never let their minds idle, always keeping them busy, working, learning, challenging, rethinking and creating a deeper understanding of the subject. As Escalante put it, “students will rise to the level of expectation.” They did not offer easy A’s, and this set the bar high for their students. Challenging their students to achieve more developed healthy habits and created a thirst for learning. As Rose said, “I loved getting good grades from MacFarland.” They created a desire in their students, a desire to achieve, and a fear of failure. People tend to only put forth as much effort as is necessary to receive their reward, if you set the bar high they will put forth the effort necessary to reach their goal. When you work really hard for something, it always tastes a little sweeter.

During his senior year Mike Rose was questioned by Mr. MacFarland as to whether he was going to go to college or not. Mike had never thought much of it, and gave an indecisive answer. Jack MacFarland would not accept that such a talented student would not go to college, and pushed Rose to apply for as many colleges as possible. When all the major universities denied Rose’s application, MacFarland did not waver. He went to Loyola, the institution he had graduated and pulled the strings necessary to see to it that Rose received higher education. Knowing that Rose could not afford college, Mr. MacFarland showed Mike Rose how to apply for financial aid. There is no denying that the man cared about his students, going above and beyond the call of duty. He showed more consideration, and put forth more effort than the average parent, personally ensuring the students with potential fulfilled that potential. Jaime Escalante was no less dedicated to the success of his students. As long as his students had the “ganas” he would ensure their success. When outside influences affected students attendance Jaime personally addressed the problem. In the movie Stand and Deliver one of his top students, Ana Delgado withdrew herself from class. Mr. Escalante went to dinner at the Delgado family restaurant to personally confront Ana’s parents about her future. He pressed that Ana was intelligent, and had great potential. Ana’s father believed Ana belonged in the restaurant with her family, not wasting her time getting an education she would not use. He would not waiver in his decision, and ultimately banned Escalante from eating at the Delgado family restaurant. Escalante was successful in sowing his seed, because Ana would later attend class, and ultimately successfully passed her calculus exam. Both teachers showed a desire to improve their student’s lives; they cared enough to help them through life’s challenges.

Both Jack MacFarland and Jaime Escalante were intensely passionate teachers. MacFarland was passionate about literature and Escalante about teaching. They were so passionate they were inspirational to others. Jack would bring a select group of students to his home, to further develop their passion for literature. His home was described as a “cramped cluttered space… books were all over: stacked, piled, tossed, and crated…well worn and new.” Expanding knowledge is what Jack MacFarland lived for.  MacFarland would ultimately seed Mike Rose’s passion for literature, taking him under his wing and introducing him to a myriad of literature. Rose described the literature as “hardly the stuff of deep understanding” but the sheer volume and variety of the digested material would ultimately expand Rose’s insight into the world. Rose looked to MacFarland for inspiration and insight. Jaime Escalante inspired others not with his intellectual passion, but for his tenacity and unwillingness to quit. His passion for teaching made the classroom the most important aspect of his life. Escalante was so stubborn that when school staff denied his request to make calculus a part of school curriculum, he added calculus as an extra school activity. His passion inspired his students to come into class an hour before the first bell, so that they learn calculus. He not only taught an early morning class, but also taught an adult class. He pushed himself so hard that he had a heart attack teaching his adult class. When told by the doctor that he would not be able to work, Escalante requested a new one. Against doctors orders he went back to teaching within two days of his heart attack, eager to get back to what he loved. Both teachers passion was not only inspirational to their students, but stand as an inspiration today.

No matter the curriculum, a teacher’s goal should always remain the same, “inspire to aspire”. Inspire others to love learning and the acquisition of knowledge. Jaime Escalante opened his student’s eyes to their real potential. He would not allow preconceived notions about their heritage and culture to keep them from achieving more than they originally considered themselves capable of. Jack MacFarland came into the life of Mike Rose during a time he was most needed; he took him under his wing and provided Rose with the necessary tools to become an inspiration himself. Rose would go forth into the world, and redefine our views of remedial education, stating that the problem is not the student’s lack of intelligence but the environment in which they were taught.