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.