Four components have made particular teachers what they are. First, they have found that students respond best when given positive encouragement. Recent research suggests that an invitational school, where encouragement is the norm, is far more productive than a school that does not invite students to learn. The second component is the teacher's ability to accept students' differing points of view. If there are many possible interpretations of a given literacy work, teachers have no right to impose their interpretations on students as the only acceptable one. A third component is the belief that education is active. Students should not be viewed as parrots who memorize and repeat what the instructor says. Rather, education should be considered an intellectual endeavor that requires active participation. The final component is the teacher's continual rethinking of his or her classes. By staying actively involved the teacher encourages students to do the same. Educating critical thinkers is essential in maintaining a free and open society. At the same time, the teaching of critical thinking can be enjoyable for teachers, and can allow them to watch the minds of students become unleashed. (SG)