As an instructor, you would not be surprised if you were told that you had a profound impact on the life of one of your students. You would not be surprised that you had helped a student achieve a career goal, or that you had provided thoughtful guidance to a student during a tough time. Because you care about your role as an instructor, you feel confident in your subject matter and keep current with the latest developments and trends. Yet, sometimes you may feel as if you cannot impact the world beyond your classroom.

Instructors throughout time have had a profound impact not only on the societies in which they live but on future societies as well. Take Socrates, for example. His method of teaching not only enlivened debate within his classroom and brought clarity to difficult issues in his day, but it continues to influence us today. To ask the proper question is to lead the student to the knowledge he or she seeks. While it might be a stretch for some of us to assume we could have the same impact that Socrates has had on the world, it is not outside the realm of possibility. Who better to add insight and knowledge to a societal problem but an expert in the field? Who better than someone sensitive to the human condition? Who better to educate?

There is no doubt that schools and school governance have become more hierarchical. But there is usually little prohibition on input by instructors. Often administrators encourage innovation and input by faculty members. If there is resistance, there are several things you can do. Start by enlisting the aid of your colleagues by testing your ideas on them and encouraging them to climb onboard. This will allow you to test the soundness of your ideas. If your colleagues are convinced, the voices of several people will be hard to ignore.

Identify the beneficiaries of your ideas. Will students benefit from this content or methodology? Does this innovation serve the greater good, and if so, how can you best convey the information? If the information is conveyed in a meaningful way, alliances can be built, and together you can approach your administration.

In every community in this country there are many ways that citizens in general, and teachers in particular, can influence both policy and practice outside of institutions of learning. There are many not-for-profit agencies that provide much-needed services in communities. There are agencies that provide for the care and treatment of people facing both mental and physical challenges. There are people working in drug treatment programs, hospice services, and community day care, and the list goes on. Individuals who have immediate personal or professional knowledge of these programs and a stake in their success are sought by these agencies as board members. These people bring their expertise to the policy-making decisions of the agency for the benefit of its recipients. By involving yourself, you as an instructor can bring the latest innovations from the field directly to the communities in which you live; you can make a very big impact on the lives of many people.

Nor should the power of the pen be overlooked. A well-written, thought-provoking letter to the editor of a local paper written by someone respected for his or her opinion in a particular area has an enormous impact on formulating the public's attitude on an issue. Also, don't hesitate to submit your ideas for publication to professional journals. There is value in sharing your ideas with others outside of your institution.

Instructors can also provide leadership in all areas within all levels of government. Because, as former Speaker of the House of Representatives Tip O'Neill once said, “All politics are local,” by educating citizens in your locality about the pros and cons of a particular governmental policy or action, you can bring great pressure to bear on local politicians. Perhaps the most effective way to provide leadership is by becoming directly involved in the political process by running for public office on a local, state, or national level. The best candidates are knowledgeable, articulate, confident, and intelligent—the very qualities many instructors possess.

Instructors should not be afraid to step up and present their ideas to a larger audience outside of the classroom. If students can benefit from exposure to new and challenging ideas, so too can institutions of learning, the community, and government at all levels. Remember, there is a little Socrates in all of us.

Websites:

Socrates: Philosophical Life: An article outlining Socrates' thoughts and place in philosophy. It includes excellent links to related topics.

http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/2d.html

Encarta: Concise encyclopedia article about the life of Socrates.

http://www.encarta.msn.com

NOESIS: Plato Search Engine

http://www.plato.evansville.edu

Socrates: What we know about Socrates and his philosophical method.

http://home.swbell.net/sokrates/socrates.html

Anne Sullivan Macy: Teacher of Helen Keller

http://www.encyclopedia.com

Anne Sullivan Macy & Helen Keller: The Life of Anne Sullivan Macy and Helen Keller

http://www.msstate.edu/~bkbl/educator.html

Anne Sullivan Macy: American Educator

http://www.encyclopedia.com

Woodrow Wilson: The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. This independent, non-profit organization seeks to maximize human potential through education and seeks to sponsor excellence in education, thus helping to develop a new generation of leaders.

http://www.woodrow.org