To me, “The teacher opens the door, the student must enter on their own.” basically means everyone gets there in their own way. The teacher or mentor is only there to introduce you to possibilities and teach you things you can do in your own way. For example a teacher can teach a class of 30 kids their ABCs  yet each kid will have different handwriting. Someone can teach you how to play an instrument and yet you can make up your own song. Teachers along with other role models just open the door to thousands of possibilities. You get to choose how you use their information to then create your own way of doing things. Teachers may encourage you to go to college and get a good education to then get a good job to support yourself and have a successful life, but in the end, you choose your future and how you get there.

-Cheyne Ah Puck

I think what this proverb is saying is, it is a teacher’s job is to give and provide guidance and knowledge, but ultimately, it is up to the students to put in the effort and take responsibility for their own learning and growth. That is what I think this proverb means.

– Kalena Bloede