In my opinion, there’s a difference between teachers and mentors.

Teachers typically use lessons and curriculum to instruct particular subject-based knowledge or skills, with the end goal of students learning and demonstrating mastery of said knowledge and skills, afterwhich they move on to the next lesson.

Mentors do the same, but add additional layers of guidance, support, and connection to extend the lesson content and deepen the experience for their students, perhaps by interweaving something about their own journey or a relatable anecdote. There’s a palpable yet indescribable feeling involved, more than just learning, when a mentor works his or her magic. That feeling endures, whereas the academic objectives often become buried somewhere deep within the students’ brain wasteland.

A mentor intuitively guides students to grow by helping to develop and realize their own voices and visions, sometimes when everybody else tells students they are wrong, that’s not how it’s supposed to be, and so on. Mentors make us better versions of ourselves because they selflessly give us a piece of themselves without fanfare or acknowledgement, and that piece of them becomes a part of us for all time.

Picture a child standing on the edge of a precipice. Before her lies a secure rope bridge built with wood planks that stretches across the canyon with the teacher standing at the other side. Every time the child masters what she is supposed to learn, she grasps the ropes in her hands and safely takes a step forward towards her teacher, who provides security and stability. If the child is wrong, she takes a step backwards and tries again. Forward progress eventually happens, and the child reaches the end of the bridge and meets the teacher’s expectations.

Now visualize the same landscape but with sturdy and secure clouds as strong as trampolines floating on either side of the tethered bridge. This time, when the child makes forward progress, the person at the other end of the bridge poses a different challenge. She instructs the child to bounce onto the nearest cloud and think about the bigger picture: how can this lesson be applied in the future rather than just now? What visions or ideas come to mind? How does this make you feel? The child is free to bounce as high as she can while allowing whatever emotions or feelings arise. When the time is right, the child is guided back to the safe and sturdy bridge. She takes a step forward, and like magic, the teacher at the end of the bridge transforms into a mentor. This bridge, however, does not end. It stretches into infinity and continually reinforces the insight of the bouncy clouds.

It is true that the fixed spotlight of a teacher changes their students’ lives, but mentors are beacons, shining their light in all directions like the beams from a lighthouse. Mentors transform and transcend the status quo and open the doors to what is possible without ego and without expecting anything in return. They inspire and foster a different kind of felt experience, where compassion, empathy, accountability and responsibility are intrinsically valued, and where empowerment authentically happens.

When I decided to pursue a career as a teacher, I strived to emulate the mannerisms and attitudes of my favorite high school mentor, Ms. Maas. I had her for several history and social studies classes, the first time by luck and all subsequent times by choice. She was the mentor I didn’t realize I so badly needed. When our time together ended and I graduated, the sacred piece of herself she unselfishly gave to me never left my heart. It still palpitates with life and shimmers with wisdom.

Shortly after I was hired as a high school teacher in 2001, I visited Ms. Maas to thank her for the impact she had on my life. I remember telling her I hoped to be like her, and she immediately corrected me. With her subtle smirk and her distinctive assurance, she instead advised me to be myself, not her. I took her advice, but I would be lying if I didn’t admit her influence has been silently permeating the space of every classroom where I’ve taught over the last 25 years, including high school, yoga, and programs/workshops. 

Ms. Maas never sought accolades yet received countless awards and recognitions as an educator, including being inducted into the Point Pleasant Foundation for Excellence in Education in 2009. She worked hard for everyone, not just for the names on her class roster, and had a profound impact on both the education and local communities through countless acts of altruism, service, and by standing up for what was right. 

I’ve unexpectedly run into her around town over the years and she’d always make the time to stop and chat with me. My heart sank earlier this week when I read that Ms. Maas had passed away, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her. Hence, this tribute.

There’s no doubt that Ms. Maas left the world better than she found it. Her beacon of light still shines for me…I can see it, right there, gleaming at a brighter caliber, a higher realm, still guiding, still caring, an unwavering pillar of fortitude and virtue.

Perhaps it is time for us to cut the cord of mindless social media posting and commenting, and instead, think about the Ms. Maas figures who helped shape us. Reach out to these mentors in real time. Perhaps send them a handwritten note or a card to say thank you, or make plans to share a cup of coffee together. Honor these paragons who invariably lit up even just a sliver of our lives, because time is fleeting. Do it now.

Thank you, Ms. Maas, for the indelible imprint you left on me. You will never be forgotten, and your beacon will circle in my sky forever.

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m so glad you are here.

With light and love,

Jill

“Beacon of Light” was posted on jillocone.com on April 18, 2025. Artificial Intelligence (AI) was not used at all in creating or writing this post. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of Jill Ocone’s employers. Copyright 2025, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact Jill for reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries using any of the links below.