The Best Way to Learn Is to Teach: A Message for Educators, Parents, and Students

This simple yet profound insight has shaped some of the greatest minds in history — from scientists to philosophers to entrepreneurs. And it holds a deep truth for anyone striving to grow: if you want to master something, teach it.

Michael Ashish

5/9/20252 min read

"The person who learns the most in any classroom is the teacher."

This simple yet profound insight has shaped some of the greatest minds in history — from scientists to philosophers to entrepreneurs. And it holds a deep truth for anyone striving to grow: if you want to master something, teach it.

Whether you’re an educator guiding young minds, a parent trying to instill values, or a student navigating the chaos of subjects and syllabi — the secret to deep learning is the same: create, teach, and share.

For Educators: You’re Still the Lead Learner

As a teacher, you already know that explaining a concept to your class forces you to understand it more deeply than just reading about it. Every question from a curious student pushes you to revisit, rethink, and refine your understanding.

Teaching is a masterclass in learning.

  • Want to grow as a professional? Start a blog on your teaching methods.

  • Want to keep your passion alive? Invite students to co-create lessons with you.

  • Want to stay updated? Teach new-age skills like AI, design thinking, or storytelling — even if you’re learning them yourself.

The best teachers are forever students. And the best students are invited to teach, too.

For Parents: Your Everyday Teaching Shapes Lifelong Learning

Whether you're helping with homework, sharing life advice, or showing how to fix a bulb, you are teaching — and learning.

Want your child to truly understand kindness, patience, or discipline?

Model it. Explain it. Let them teach it back to you.

  • Let kids explain concepts to younger siblings.

  • Encourage them to create charts or presentations on what they learn.

  • Ask: “Can you teach me what you learned today in school?”

When children teach, they feel seen, heard, and capable. Learning becomes personal.

For Students: Teach to Master, Not Just Pass

Rote learning fades. Teaching sticks.

Struggling with a tough chapter in math or history? Try this:

  • Create a YouTube short explaining the concept.

  • Teach a friend or a sibling.

  • Build a model or diagram to showcase your understanding.

This forces your brain to move from passive input to active output — which is where real learning happens.

The moment you teach something, it becomes a part of you.

Build. Write. Explain. Repeat.

The best learners don’t just absorb — they create:

  • Write a book or a blog post on what you're learning.

  • Teach a micro-class at school or at home.

  • Build a project, design a product, or start a passion-based initiative.

Learning by doing. Mastery by teaching. That’s the way forward.

Final Thought

“To learn is human. To teach is divine.”

Whether you’re a teacher guiding a class, a parent mentoring a child, or a student trying to make sense of the world — the secret to deep, lasting learning is the same:

Don’t just study it. Teach it. Don’t just memorize it. Build something from it.

You’ll be amazed how much you truly learn when you share what you know.