The Power of a Teacher
“A good education can change anyone. A good teacher can change everything.”
– Unknown.
Think about it: Have you ever had a teacher who profoundly influenced your life? Whether in school, at church, or through mentorship, that teacher likely made you feel valued, opened your mind to new possibilities, and left a lasting impact.
Hesitation to Inspiration
Initially, Seth Robins was hesitant to come to Cumorah Academy. He wasn’t sure how he could help students from different countries, each with their own visions, connect on the same page of important principles.
But it turns out, he was amazing!
Seth’s academic achievements are rather impressive. After serving a mission in Japan, he fell in love with the Japanese language. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Japanese from BYU, a master’s degree in Second Language Acquisition from BYU, and a master’s in Japanese language teaching from Ohio State. He also holds a doctoral degree in School Improvement from the University of West Georgia, focusing on speakers of other languages.
The Impact of a Teacher
“I like this mentor because he understands that everyone learns differently. I can’t teach each person the same way, so I have to adjust my methods to fit each individual. With effort, we can achieve anything we set our minds to.”
These words, shared by Jorge, a student from Costa Rica, perfectly reflect how seriously Seth takes his teaching and his commitment to Cumorah Academy’s values.
One of Seth’s guiding principles is: “A positive leader must be willing to learn before they will teach.” As an English composition teacher at BYU-Idaho, living in Rexburg, Seth has used his vast experience as a leader and teacher to inspire students to build their futures. Interestingly, Seth’s connection with Cumorah Academy came through other colleagues who were visiting mentors and shared their experiences with him. This led him to connect with Ian Saunders, our Academy Director, and the rest is history.
Inspiring Leadership
Reflecting on his time at Cumorah, Seth recalls what excites him about teaching and inspiring. He describes the synergy between students and mentors: “There’s this palpable synergy here on campus that’s both spiritual and academic, where the students really want to learn,” he says. “That’s been incredibly gratifying, and when you infuse the Spirit of the Lord into the process, it becomes spiritually and academically fulfilling.”
Although he was initially hesitant to come, Seth’s visit brought light to our students. Ester, a student from Portugal, shared how Seth’s teachings impacted her: “By setting a good example, a leader can motivate the team, create a culture where everyone feels supported and valued, show how work can make a meaningful impact, and build trust and credibility over time. I want to be a positive leader!”
Seth humbly describes his approach: “I simply teach them to focus on what they can control in their lives and not be consumed by what is beyond their control. Then, within those parameters, how can they set goals and work towards them with the Lord’s help?”
As a natural, positive leader and inspiring teacher, Seth Robins has helped our students see beyond their circumstances, embrace challenges, and work hard for their future.
Seth shared a little of his experience in the clip below:
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.
Photos by Natalia Lopez
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
