People Who Remain as Light — On the Mission of Teachers and Their Eternal Influence

The true meaning of teaching

We once again face an age-old question: 'What is true teaching?' This question cannot be confined solely within the framework of the educational system it inquires into the essence of human existence. Even as times change, the meaning of teaching extends beyond merely conveying information. It awakens human dignity, embodies the values of love and sacrifice, and is connected to influence that endures as a light across generations and time.

The Teacher's Touch and Influence

The expression that compares a teacher to a lamp has been passed down through countless hearts over the years. A lamp burns brightly in the darkness, and as it approaches the last flicker, its light becomes even more intense. This is akin to how a teacher's life leaves a profound impression on others, even at its end, and their influence does not fade but rather shines even brighter. The teacher's mission is not a transient role but a 'spark' that permanently imprints on numerous lives. This represents how an individual's teaching illuminates another life and ultimately serves as a metaphor for the flow of human history itself, leading to a vast stream of light.

Changing Educational Environment

Today, education is caught in the waves of digital technology, globalization, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. However, even amidst these fierce changes, there exists a steadfast axis that remains unshaken. It is the respect for humanity and the formation of character. While artificial intelligence can provide knowledge and design personalized learning, the act of soothing a human heart and awakening dignity can only be done by a person, specifically a teacher who genuinely cares for their students. This is the essence of true teaching.

The Value of Love and Dedication

We must revisit the core values of education. It is none other than 'love' and 'commitment.' However, this love and commitment should not be sustained solely by the endless sacrifice of individual teachers. It is now time for the role of teachers to evolve towards sustainable love, mutual respect, and a sense of communal responsibility. True education is about growing together, taking place within a relationship where teachers and students reflect each other's inner selves. Within this space, autonomy and solidarity breathe together, giving rise to a collaborative learning environment.

The Influence of Lifelong Learning

We often think of death as the end, but the existence of a teacher transcends this boundary. The words and gestures they leave behind are not forgotten over time rather, the true value of these becomes more apparent as the years go by. Now, with the existence of a new vessel of memory called digital, the teachings of a teacher have become 'eternal sentences' that can be revisited anytime, beyond space and time. Thus, the influence of a teacher continues to live on in another form, beyond the physical lifespan.

Future Directions of Education

So, what should education in the future look like? As technology advances, we must emphasize values that are more "human-centered." The touch of a teacher, a warm gaze, and heartfelt encouragement cannot be replaced by any algorithm. True teaching ultimately stems from the "light" that comes from a teacher's heart, and that light has the power to fundamentally change human lives.

The Power of Small Actions

We must also realize that not only teachers, but all of us can carry a small light in our everyday lives. A warm greeting shared each day, listening to a friend's heart, acts of kindness conveyed without a name... all of these are 'lamps'. When these small, warm actions come together, we can create a brighter society together. This lamp burns not only in the field of education but in every aspect of life. It is love, it is teaching, and it is the practice of being human.

The Future and Responsibility of Society

Finally, the love and sacrifice demonstrated by the presence of teachers should not merely end with individual dedication, but must be inherited as a culture. It should become a shared asset of humanity that permeates society as a whole, transcending time and space. The light of one person's lantern illuminating the back of another, this is the society that we should envision.

The Importance of Light

"The flame is brightest just before it goes out." This phrase transcends mere metaphor it is a truth that penetrates the essence of our lives. In the final moment, the intensity of the flame illuminates the world and leaves traces in the lives of countless people. That light is passed down through generations, and thus we all live within the teachings of someone.

Lighting a small lantern

Anyone can light their small lamp right here and now. And that light can warmly illuminate the life of someone unexpected. In this way, we continue to live today as 'people who remain as light.'