Hire Teachers With Passions

   We could cure America's educational woes if we could instill a love of job into the system. Take anything where anyone achieved anything, they achieved it because they loved what they were pursuing. If you are the student, that means a love of being educated. And, if you are the teacher, that means not only having a passion for what you do, but a love for the students you teach.
   As I thought about this while in bed the other night, I wondered how we might go about getting teachers who loved what they were doing, and loved the students they were teaching.
   Hire the ones that are already that way.
   Ask them on their applications and in their interviews, what their hobbies are. What are the things they do. What are their loves and pursuits. Ask them what service projects they are involved with. Ask them the last time they helped someone, and what they did to help. 
   Find out if they have passions for the things they are already doing, for if they don't, they won't likely develop the a passion for teaching. And, consider what their hobbies and pastimes are. A person who spends time trying to achieve something will likely do you better than a person who is passionate only about going to the movies every Friday night.
   But, if they are into movies or such, find out what they have done in pursuing that interest. If they do something showing extra effort and showing achievement, consider them. A Star Trek groupie might be good, if they are doing something extra, more than just attending groupie activities. Still, a person who has a hobby that makes the world a better place -- there aren't many of those -- probably belongs at the head of the line, ahead of the Trekkies.
   Their ability to love the students? Find out if they are helping anyone in their lives, whether it means they visit their grandmother everyday or whether they have a neighbor they help.
   Take their references. Talk to their family and friends. And, don't just select a teacher based on the checklist. Consider whether the energy they exert in their pastimes is going to transfer into the classroom.
   Put the right people in place -- the right teachers -- and you'll be more likely to have a successful education system.