Teacher Accountability

In dialogue about public education, you may hear this phrase, “teacher accountability.” The discussion that follows generally runs along the lines of continuing education, personal improvement, professional excellence and student results. (Perhaps also test results.)

Teaching is a challenge that is multi-leveled. It is essential to (1) impart the right information, (2) maintain a well disciplined class room atmosphere, (3) demonstrate the practical value of the knowledge imparted, and (4) motivate the students to apply what they have learned, and (5) teach students how to learn for themselves. In order to accomplish these things, the aspiring teacher must pay the price of spending time learning the information, and discovering how to best present it.

You cannot teach people what you do not know, and you cannot effectively teach people what you do not live! The Bible teacher must spend time with the text of Scripture, and live with the author of the text. The Bible teacher needs to teach people what the Scriptures teach, but also, teach them how to read and study for themselves. The Bible teacher must not only present facts, but present them so they will come alive in the hearts of good hearers. This carries the highest kind of accountability.

Or as James said: “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment,” (Jas. 3:1).

-Warren E. Berkley