The Impact You Can Have on Students

Recently, I came across some articles that reminded me about the impact we can and do have as teachers. I believe it is important for us to consider this truth. Most of us have had at least one teacher who changed our lives. Take a moment to think about a favorite teacher you had. Even now, I bet you can remember them fondly, with a smile, and perhaps with gratitude. What was it about that teacher that had such a lasting impression on you? Was it something they did while teaching? Was it how you felt during their class? Was it because of the way they interacted with you and the other students?  

I have been fortunate to have had many teachers who have had a powerful influence on my life. Over the years of working with students, I came to understand why my passion for teaching was so strong. I realized that if it weren't for the teachers in my life, especially those in elementary, middle, and high school, I wouldn't be here today. And because they, and all the other teachers who have come into my life since, made such a difference, I dedicated my life to doing for others what my teachers did for me. That is my inspiration, and it has motivated and guided my teaching career.  

When what you define as your professional or occupational work is you doing something you love, something you are passionate about, it's not work, it's not a job, it's not something you do as a means to the end, it's your inspiration expressed. And students can feel that.  

As a teacher, you are constantly in a position of potential. What do I mean by that? I mean, you are consistently in a position to affect change and influence people through your work with students, their work with patients and in their communities, and perhaps their desire to circle back and become a PA educator. It's the pebble in the pond phenomenon.  

Although we are responsible for covering the accreditation content, that doesn't mean our job is simply about delivering the material. It's so much more than that. I remain convinced that it's not only about what we do as teachers, but also about how we do it and who we are when we do it that impacts students. It's about consciously reflecting on the environment and classroom culture we create, cultivate, and foster. It's about being real, genuine, and honest because none of us has all the answers and none of us is perfect.  

I extensively explored the role of the teacher in my master's thesis. I wrote, "Over and over again, my reading took me back to the concept that it is the nature, quality, and characteristics of the teacher that play an enormous role in the effectiveness to support and encourage learning and growth (WhiteHorse, 2001). Twenty-five years later, extensive educational research continues to show that teachers matter more to student success than any other in-school factors, such as facilities and leadership (Engida et al., 2024; Opper, n.d.; Rice, 2003). If teachers are engaging, motivated, and excited when they teach, students are also more likely to be excited to learn (Davis, 2024). When students feel safe, seen, and heard, learning deepens. 

It's not only about what we do as teachers,

but how we do it and who we are when we do it. 

One simple way to get feedback on how students see you is to record yourself giving a lecture. I know. You may have shuddered at the thought. But honestly, it is worth the discomfort. Many years back, it was part of my undergraduate teacher education. I guess my professors knew what they were doing despite the students' pushback. Today, watching a video of yourself teach remains a highly effective faculty development tool, with evidence showing that it helps teachers improve instruction and increases student learning (Tripp & Rich, 2012). 

So, take a few moments now to think about who you are as a teacher. How do you think your students see you? If you were to take a poll, how do you think they would describe you? Being mindful of who and how we are as teachers, and of the impact we have, I believe, is essential and should guide our work.

Two of my all-time favorite books about what it means to be a teacher:

The Courage to Teach by Parker J. Palmer

What the Best College Teachers Do by Ken Bain

References 

Davis, C. (2025, May 2). Gallup survey shows engaged teachers lead to student success. Belmont University. https://www.belmont.edu/stories/articles/2025/gallup-survey-teacher-success.html 

Engida, M.A., Iyasu, A. S., and Fentie, Y.M. (2024) Impact of teaching quality on student achievement: student evidence. Front. Educ. 9:1367317. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2024.1367317 

Opper, I. M. (n.d.). Teachers matter: Understanding teachers' impact on student achievement. RAND. https://www.rand.org/education-employment-infrastructure/projects/measuring-teacher-effectiveness/teachers-matter.html 

Rice, J. K. (2003). Teacher Quality. Understanding the effectiveness of teacher attributes. Economic Policy Institute. https://www.epi.org/publication/books_teacher_quality_execsum_intro/ 

Tripp, T., & Rich, P. (2012), Using video to analyze one's own teaching. British Journal of Educational Technology, 43: 678-704. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2011.01234.x 

WhiteHorse, E. (2001). Holistic education for healthcare practitioners [Unpublished Master's Thesis]. Vermont College of Norwich University.