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Education, as defined in the Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, is stated to be “the field of study that deals mainly with methods of teaching and learning in schools”, the word “educate” is defined as “a way of development mentally and morally through instruction”, and a teacher is defined as “one whose occupation is to instruct.” By definition then, being a teacher is as simple as instructing people in order to help them develop; however, Webster failed to look deeply into the art of teaching and what it really means to be an educator. To be an educator you need to not only inform or instruct; but also to encourage, support, discipline, listen and understand. A teacher’s role is divided between an instructor, care giver, mentor, and law enforcer, whom provide moral, ethical, and social values. They need to exemplify what we all ideally strive to become mentally and socially, by setting the foundation for each generation to come and supporting what past generations accomplished. Throughout my schooling I have studied in 4 elementary schools, 2 high schools, and one University. Within that time I have encountered a countless number of teacher’s, most of which exemplified Webster’s definition of an “educator”. I did not display an interest in my schooling and my teacher’s did not display an interest in me other then what I was not accomplishing. It was not until I enrolled in a Catholic High School that I realized the importance of my education and the importance of a teacher’s role throughout my educational development.
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