A Teacher's Lament by Brian

A Teacher's Lament by Brian - February 2014 Scholarship Essay

This essay will seek to address the following quote: “It is difficult for a student to pick a good teacher, but it is more difficult for a teacher to pick a good student.” This quote was made by Grandmaster Ip Man. Ip Man was an instructor in Wing Chun Kung Fu. In the addressed quote, Ip Man describes a major difficulty for many teachers. I can relate to this quote and Grandmaster Ip Man because I also teach Wing Chun Kung Fu. The inspirations I received from this quote are found in my teaching and my view toward teachers.

The first way this quote inspired me is through my teachings. I informally teach students, and it is the prospective student’s obligation to seek out me. When I see a prospective student, I evaluate his or her motive in learning Wing Chun. Often, most seek an enhancement in their lifestyle through this martial art. Learning Wing Chun is a very tedious experience. In the first year, there is much repetition of drills and concepts, and most of my students agree that they felt that they did not learn what they were expecting. Instead, I test their dedication and motivation to learn the art. Training Wing Chun, for the most part, is the same everywhere. For the first year, there is little to no action. The dedicated students can move on to a more advanced course if they are committed. The quote that Ip Man made inspired me to keep this tradition. Before, I felt distraught that students felt they were not receiving an adequate education from me. But now, I understand the best students are those who commit to what they want. This is how I choose a good student.

The second way this quote inspired me is through my view toward teachers. I am a student in high school. The difference between most students and I is that I have an emic perspective on what a teacher experiences. Being on both sides of the glass, I know what it is like to both receive and give knowledge. I understand the frustration that my teachers go through when their students are not motivated to learn. I share their frustration at times. The quote that Ip Man made inspires me to respect the teacher’s role. The difference between the high-school teacher and I is that students actively seek me for knowledge. Students are sometimes forcibly given to some high-school teachers because the students require credits for graduation. I respect all teachers because it is difficult for them to pick good students, and often enough, teachers feel a moral obligation to not give up on any student, whether they are good or bad.

The teacher’s lament is in the difficulty of picking good students. As a teacher, I understand what most other teachers experience with students. As a student, I am more respectful to teachers because I relate to them. Ip Man understood both the difficulties of the student and the teacher. I respect him because of the wisdom that he passed on, both directly and indirectly.