The Teacher
The Teacher is an archetype that is familiar to all. We have all been taught by someone who has trod the path we are about to tread ourselves, someone who has battled the dragon and can give us insight into what weapons we may need for that fight, the teacher is a guide, a support, and opens doors into both the outer world as well as the inner world. The great teachers don’t tell students the answers, or hold their hands too tightly, but simply invite the student to explore. The Teacher archetype usually has a good memory and can recall what is needed in each unique moment to provide for the student exactly what they need. But the Teacher’s first student is themselves. The Teacher recognizes others who have helped them on their path but they have accepted the responsibility for their own learning. They don’t wait for someone else to show them the way or what to learn but seek it out on their own. They like to research, to learn new things, to understand well enough to pass it on to others. It is not enough to know it must have applicability and usefulness. The Teacher is in some ways a translator, taking difficult subjects and ideas and making them digestible for others. They love to share what they know and have learned but they never offer anything without being asked or invited to do so. This is one of the key aspects of the archetype. They do not offer unsolicited advice but always wait for the student to ask. The Teacher understands that this mutual relationship between each other is the only way to successfully share knowledge. The Teacher creates a sacred space of learning for others and they protect this space regardless of the situation.
Some famous Teachers in history include: Confucius (ancient Chinese philosopher) Annie Sullivan (Helen Keller’s teacher), Maria Montessori developer of the Montessori method of teaching) and Sal Khan (creator of Khan Academy)
Some key words associated with the Teacher
- Learning
- Sharing Knowledge
- Passing on Wisdom
- Exploration
- Curiosity
- Research
- Understanding
- Humility
- Beginner’s Mind
- “I Don’t Know”
The Know-it-All
The Know-it-All has amassed a great deal of information and knowledge and every kernel of that is hoarded like gold. They might think of themselves as information junkies. They like to memorize stats and figures, to have a breadth of general knowledge and information to use to their advantage. They thrive on student’s admiration of them or their fear of them. The Know-it-All uses intellectual intimidation to impress their students and give them the false sense of the teacher’s importance. They withhold information and knowledge that might allow the student to overtake the teacher, the Know-it-All wants to keep students needing him or her and relying on their knowledge and wisdom. The Know-it-All rewards loyalty and ignores those students that resist them or push the boundaries. They are always offering advice, unwanted and wanted to those around them. They think they have the answers to life’s big questions and have only to be recognized for this knowledge they possess. They embody the detached, cool professor, who stands apart from his students in a position of authority over their malleable minds. The Know-it-All attracts the ignorant, the dependent and those looking for someone else to guide their life.
The Know-it-All cannot be perceived as wrong and will go to great lengths to protect their untouchable all wise, all knowing status. They seem to know everything at all times and cannot admit when they are wrong or say I don’t know. The Know-it-All has a desperate fear that they will be exposed someday as an ordinary human being and lose their sense of superiority.
Professor Higgins from My Fair Lady and Professor Moriarty from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Some key words associated with the Know-it-All:
- Information Junkie
- Advice Giving
- Being Right
- Self Important
- Arrogant
- Superior
- Detached
- Intimidating
- Controlling
- Possessive
