--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ideal teachers are those who use…" description: "\"“Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfull..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/nikos-kazantzakis-1116_education_ideal-teachers-are-those-who-use-themsel_2910959.jpg" --- # Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges… ![“Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own.” quote by Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/nikos-kazantzakis-1116_education_ideal-teachers-are-those-who-use-themsel_2910959.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/nikos-kazantzakis-1116_education_ideal-teachers-are-those-who-use-themsel_2910959.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/nikos-kazantzakis-1116_education_ideal-teachers-are-those-who-use-themsel_2910959.jpg) > ““Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own.”” [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Teachers should guide students to independence, then step aside. **In simple terms:** Guide, then let go. Key Takeaway Empower learners to build their own paths. Themes education mentorship independence Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - classroom - coaching - personal development Key Concepts pedagogy self‑actualization Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to “collapse” as a teacher? - How can teachers balance guidance and autonomy? A Different Perspective Students may feel abandoned without support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Create Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/create-bridges-3224136/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Ideal Teachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideal-teachers-4192249/) [Mentorship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mentorship/) [Students Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students-cross-3224135/) [Teachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teachers/) [Teachers Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teachers-use-1572886/) ## Related quotes > [True teachers use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/true-teachers-use-themselves-as-bridges-over-which-they-invite-their/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/true-teachers-are-those-who-use-themselves-as-bridges-over-which-they/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [I have always tried to create bridges that are more than a connecting structure - places in their own right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/i-have-always-tried-to-create-bridges-that-are-more-than-a-connecting/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [What you feel like when the teachers use your name as an example oh stop it you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaylee/what-you-feel-like-when-the-teachers-use-your-name-as-an-example-oh/) [Kaylee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaylee/) > [Teachers can use technology-based assessments to inform their instruction. These assessments can quickly produce data and surface patterns that help teachers identify where students…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sal-khan/teachers-can-use-technology-based-assessments-to-inform-their/) [Sal Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sal-khan/) > [I always set out to tell a good story, to create a character that young people can relate to, place them in a situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-lowry/i-always-set-out-to-tell-a-good-story-to-create-a-character-that/) [Lois Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-lowry/) > [Books for children get into schools. Committed teachers use books like mine alongside films, non-fiction and fiction to help children investigate and understand the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-rosen/books-for-children-get-into-schools-committed-teachers-use-books-like/) [Michael Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-rosen/) > [I think that there are some teachers that do a very good job of incorporating culture and history. And there are some teachers who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-think-that-there-are-some-teachers-that-do-a-very-good-job-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Research suggests that teachers who use more progressive or project-based learning techniques are more satisfied in their roles than teachers who use traditional instructional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-libow-martinez/research-suggests-that-teachers-who-use-more-progressive-or-project/) [Sylvia Libow Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-libow-martinez/) > [Television didn't transform education. Neither will the internet. But it will be another tool for teachers to use in their effort to reach students…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-palfrey/television-didn-t-transform-education-neither-will-the-internet-but/) [John Palfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-palfrey/) > [“I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well. { His teacher was the legendary philosopher Aristotle }”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/i-am-indebted-to-my-father-for-living-but-to-my-teacher-for-living/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [If I get the chance to be philanthropic, I want to help kids and teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/if-i-get-the-chance-to-be-philanthropic-i-want-to-help-kids-and/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [Only bad teachers lecture at a tutorial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-starkey/only-bad-teachers-lecture-at-a-tutorial/) [David Starkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-starkey/) > [I'm learning a lot by reading teachers like Thich Nhat Hanh, Pema Chodron. They teach me because I feel like I have a responsibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-cisneros/i-m-learning-a-lot-by-reading-teachers-like-thich-nhat-hanh-pema/) [Sandra Cisneros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-cisneros/) > [Teachers are heroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-best/teachers-are-heroes/) [Charles Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-best/) ## More by Nikos Kazantzakis > [“We gaze with perplexity at the highest part of the spiral of force that governs the Universe. And we call it God. We could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/we-gaze-with-perplexity-at-the-highest-part-of-the-spiral-of-force/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [I collect my tools: sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing, intellect. Night has fallen...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/i-collect-my-tools-sight-smell-touch-taste-hearing-intellect-night/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [Everything in this world has a hidden meaning, I thought. Men, animals, trees, stars, they are all hieroglyphics; woe to anyone who begins to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/everything-in-this-world-has-a-hidden-meaning-i-thought-men-animals/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [Good Lord, how can the rich bear to die?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/good-lord-how-can-the-rich-bear-to-die/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [“Religion is opium for the masses”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/religion-is-opium-for-the-masses/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [I possess no weapon but love. With that I have come to do battle. Help me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/i-possess-no-weapon-but-love-with-that-i-have-come-to-do-battle-help/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [Today, any action anywhere on earth has an immediate repercussion on all five continents. News of a victory of the Eastern armies in Morocco…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/today-any-action-anywhere-on-earth-has-an-immediate-repercussion-on/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [“The Lord preserve us from sainthood”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/the-lord-preserve-us-from-sainthood/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [“You have everything but one thing: madness. A man needs a little madness or else - he never dares cut the rope and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/you-have-everything-but-one-thing-madness-a-man-needs-a-little/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [“A man needs a little madness, or else... he never dares cut the rope and be free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/a-man-needs-a-little-madness-or-else-he-never-dares-cut-the-rope-and/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [There's a devil inside me which cries, "You're not the son of the Carpenter, you're the son of King David! You are not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/there-s-a-devil-inside-me-which-cries-you-re-not-the-son-of-the/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [Lions and Lambs, love and force, light and fire, good and evil: all things climb the same mountain, the mountain of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/lions-and-lambs-love-and-force-light-and-fire-good-and-evil-all/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [I say one thing, you write another, and those who read you understand still something else! I say: cross, death, kingdom of heaven, God...and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/i-say-one-thing-you-write-another-and-those-who-read-you-understand/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [“No, you're not free," he said. "The string you're tied to is perhaps no longer than other people's. That's all. You're on a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/no-you-re-not-free-he-said-the-string-you-re-tied-to-is-perhaps-no/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [The masses do not see the Sirens. They do not hear songs in the air. Blind, deaf, stooping, they pull at their oars in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/the-masses-do-not-see-the-sirens-they-do-not-hear-songs-in-the-air/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) [Explore all 275 Nikos Kazantzakis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) ## More Education quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [“In school you are taught to obey and not to think straight for your own good. 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But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [There's no authoritarian structure at Reed College, but the education is conservative. So what you have is a lot of students who are very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/there-s-no-authoritarian-structure-at-reed-college-but-the-education/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [“What's the best thing about being in college? Good teachers. They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/what-s-the-best-thing-about-being-in-college-good-teachers-they/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“If one has not a head of steel it will burst; if he has not within it a brain of liquid quicksilver, he will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ioannes-amos-commenius/if-one-has-not-a-head-of-steel-it-will-burst-if-he-has-not-within-it/) [Ioannes Amos Commenius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ioannes-amos-commenius/) > [“let us not teach / what we have learned badly / and not profited by”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-hilda-doolittle/let-us-not-teach-what-we-have-learned-badly-and-not-profited-by/) [H.D. (Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-d-hilda-doolittle/) > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [According to Plato, we don't learn anything. Our soul has lived so many lives that we know everything. Teachers and education can only remind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/according-to-plato-we-don-t-learn-anything-our-soul-has-lived-so-many/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“I only began to enjoy studying after I got through the educational system and became a so-called member of society. If something interested me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-only-began-to-enjoy-studying-after-i-got-through-the-educational/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you had made the acquiring of ignorance the study of your life, you could not have graduated with higher honor than you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-you-had-made-the-acquiring-of-ignorance-the-study-of-your-life-you/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/) [Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/) > [English teachers tend to put more thought in the books than the author did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/english-teachers-tend-to-put-more-thought-in-the-books-than-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When will society, like a mother, take care of all her children?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/when-will-society-like-a-mother-take-care-of-all-her-children/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) [Browse all 37,666 Education quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nikos Kazantzakis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/ideal-teachers-are-those-who-use-themselves-as-bridges-over-which/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Education" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/ideal-teachers-are-those-who-use-themselves-as-bridges-over-which/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/nikos-kazantzakis-1116_education_ideal-teachers-are-those-who-use-themsel_2910959.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/nikos-kazantzakis-1116_education_ideal-teachers-are-those-who-use-themsel_2910959.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/nikos-kazantzakis-1116_education_ideal-teachers-are-those-who-use-themsel_2910959.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then…” — Nikos Kazantzakis", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Nikos Kazantzakis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Ideal teachers are those who use...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/ideal-teachers-are-those-who-use-themselves-as-bridges-over-which/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/ideal-teachers-are-those-who-use-themselves-as-bridges-over-which/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```