Richard Feynman: A Wonderful Teacher

Published by Stephen Milward in Science And Technology · Friday 16 Jan 2026 · 2 minutes
Tags: Richard, Feynman, teacher, quantum, physics, education, science, physics, learning, inspiration, creativity

What makes an inspirational teacher? Is it just the passing on of knowledge and facts? Is it someone who just gets you through exams? Or is it more than that?

I've met inspirational teachers in the music area. One was Michael Neaum, who taught me at school. Another was John Craven, the Head of the Music Department at my college when I trained to be a music teacher and finally Meryl Chambers, the Head Of Music at Sutton Centre Community School, who I worked with when I first qualified. Of course, they knew their stuff and got you through exams, but they had more than that. They were charismatic.

Every so often, you come across charismatic people. They have a certain 'something' that makes you listen, watch and take note with much more intensity than normal. In the field of theorical physics, Richard Feynman (i) had such charisma that he inspires you to be curious and does it in such a way that you feel involved in the process. Education isn't done to you, it's a process of involvement.

I like to watch Feynman's lectures and the way he communicates, not just with words but with questions. Take a look at him at work. Stick with it when it gets challenging.

Perhaps the best explanation of his teaching comes from his daughter Michelle on the occasion of Feynman's 100th birthday. It's a personal and funny sketch of how to instill a sense of wonder and curiosity.

(i) Wikipedia: Richard Feynman