GPS

Listen, do the work, turn it in.  These are the basics.  Teachers hope students begin this way and test them on their knowledge along the way, but a good teacher is so much more than a test giver.

Memorizing that Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 is good.  Knowing that absolute zero is -273.15 degrees Celsius is nice, but knowing how to find out these things if I forget is invaluable.

Figuring out the process of how to get  from point A to point B creates a foundation for life long learning and living.

The same thing is true about working with others.  In spite of all the television shows and movies that show a genius can be oblique and hard to get along with and even downright rude, it really is necessary to develop people skills.  Because that genius probably isn't going to get funding for his pet project if he steps on too many toes or refuses to make a few compromises.  Not to mention how invaluable team work can be when brainstorming and investigating unknown subjects.

Billy may make straight A's and be a flop at living, which is really why you want a good education, so you can do something with it that might improve your life and the lives of others.

A good teacher takes curiosity and turns it into a GPS for life long learning.