FAITH: 12 boys, 1 mentor, and the making of young men

My wife and I are grateful that our boys are exposed daily to their teachers who not only provide competent instruction but who model godly character, practical wisdom, and genuine care.  True teaching is wrapped up not just in knowledge of a specific content area, but in a wise mentor who genuinely cares for students and does what is best for them.

It seems to me the greatest influences are often older adults who have the wisdom of experience that a younger person simply cannot have.  This is the case with a teacher at my boys’ school.  While I am grateful for all competent and caring teachers, this particular year causes me to be deeply thankful for the investment of Dr. Art Hunt.  As the most seasoned teacher at the school, not only has he brought a level of experience to the school that is unsurpassed, but he has also quickly become one of the students’ favorite teachers.

All semester long, my son has been preparing for a role in the play, 12 Angry Men, written by Reginald Rose.  (If you are unfamiliar with 12 Angry Men, I encourage you to watch the 1957 movie directed by Sydney Lumet and featuring Henry Fonda.)  When the spotlight came on, not only did we enjoy the show; we were blown away with Dr. Hunt’s leadership in our son’s life and the life of his friends.

Dr. Hunt took 12 high school individual boys and led them to perform as a unified cast with excellence and confidence in front of a full house at Cat Bird Studio. When we talk about our days around the supper table as a family each night, Dr. Hunt is always spoken of with a genuine smile and great respect.  Hearing my son and his friends talk about rehearsals and eventually watching those boys act together on the stage, I could tell that they held Dr. Hunt in the highest regard.

He took what was a motley crew of students, some of whom would not have naturally chosen theater and guided them to do what they never would have been able to do otherwise.  He caused them to believe in themselves.  He challenged them and brought out the best in them.  He led them to rise to the occasion.  After the performance, I saw smiles on the boys’ faces and looks of confidence in their eyes that I had never seen before.  After school plays like this, parents always say that their kids did a great job, but they truly were superb.  Indeed, Dr. Hunt’s investment was transformative.

Someone has said, “A teacher's job is to take a bunch of live wires and see that they are well-grounded.”  That seems right headed to me.

Students do not need teachers who are young and mimic juvenile culture.  Kids don’t need adults to be their buddies.  Young people need adults to show them how life is to be lived and what it means to grow, be responsible, and mature.  They should have good role models in their lives—men who love their wives, women who love their husbands, and those who are committed to pursuing the good, the true, and the beautiful.  Such teachers have high standards and expect the best of their students.  Effective teachers who combine competent knowledge of their content area, skillful investment, and genuine care for students are teachers who are both well-liked and well respected by their students.  

We went to the play the other night to see a bunch of boys play 12 Angry Men, but what we all ended up seeing were 12 maturing young men.

Thanks Dr. Hunt for being a key part of their developing into young men.

Todd E. Brady serves as Staff Chaplain and Advanced Funeral Planner at Arrington Funeral Directors.  He and his wife, Amy have five sons.  You may write to him at tbrady@afgemail.net.