A Teacher in the Shadows by Adagia

A Teacher in the Shadows by Adagia - November 2018 Scholarship Essay

“The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among his followers, gives not of his wisdom, but rather of his faith and of his lovingness. If he is indeed wise, he does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.” This quote, by Kahlil Gibran the Prophet, was my grandfather’s favorite piece of wisdom. Although he no longer walk the path of life, his story is far from over. Through me, his legacy will endure, marked by this excerpt as my senior yearbook quote.

My grandfather was one of a kind. He was an outspoken humanitarian who spent his whole life trying to make the world a better place. He did presentations at schools advocating for nuclear disarmament. He even founded a toy company which produced stuffed animals of endangered species, donating a portion of the profits to protect their habitats. However, I later came to realize he was never truly happy. Throughout his lifetime, he experienced periods of self-doubt and struggled with depression, losing sight of his dreams and falling prey to alcoholism. This ultimately consumed my grandfather.

I do not desire to lead with an authoritative approach. Instead, I choose to lead by example. My grandfather always went the extra mile with his endeavors to serve others. I apply this to both to my academic studies and my leadership roles. I still take charge organizing events and delegating responsibilities as president of my chapter of the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). However, my commanding influence comes from the benevolence my grandfather taught me to lead with. This insight soon led me to decide my career path in education.

I aspire to become a teacher so I can inspire youth for generations to come. As a lifelong introvert, it has always been a challenge for me to face social situations for extended periods of time. Through my experiences, I have found ways to manage this insecurity. I cannot think of a more rewarding profession than one that offers wisdom to the youth, watching them grow into successful, contributing individuals. Life as a student has been a worthwhile experience; however, giving back as a teacher will be the most rewarding challenge of all.

What I admire most about my senior yearbook quote is how it defines a successful teacher. It is not one who merely offers guidance or wisdom: It is one who offers opportunity. Teachers are there for students who have lost their way in the shadows of adolescence. They do not lead their students out of the dark tunnel. They offer them a lantern so they can see through the darkness; so they can find their own way out of the tunnel.

Teachers remain in the shadows as they watch their students find their own paths in life. This shows how teachers tend to be overlooked as individuals. Only through education can the next generation learn the necessities to advance society. My grandfather held many jobs in his lifetime, but teaching was his favorite occupation of all because of the profound impact he had on his students. This is precisely what I had been searching for in a career.

Children need to understand the values of truth and compassion. In a world dominated by the influence of the media, such merits are almost nonexistent. A teacher has an amazing opportunity to engage students and prepare them for life in such a complicated world. If one teacher can inspire thousands of students to be good human beings, then teachers are the world’s most valuable members of the workforce. Like my grandfather, I know I can make a difference as a teacher through the open minds of my students.

In the end, neither my grandfather’s accomplishments nor his demise left his most significant contribution to the world: It was his compassion and belief that every act of goodwill was worth the effort. This is the message I wish to spread to my future students, my loved ones, and my community as a teacher.