teachers and educators live up to the same high standards they expect their students to uphold

When you light the lamps (Num. 8:2)
"Do not think," G-d said to Moses, "that I am commanding you to kindle these lamps because I need their illumination. Rather, the purpose is to give the Jewish people merit if they fulfill My instructions diligently. As reward for lighting these lamps before Me, I will provide you with a Great Light in the World to Come.

(Bamidbar Rabba)

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And Aaron did so (Num. 8:3)

As the great commentator Rashi explains, "This is to give credit to Aaron, who did not deviate [from what he was commanded to do]." Indeed, it is commendable when teachers and educators live up to the same high standards they expect their students to uphold. When a teacher's personal life is in consonance with what he preaches, his influence on his students is that much greater, and his words are accepted without undue effort.


(She'eirit Menachem)

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Then set forward the standard of the camp of the children of Dan, the rear guard of all the camps (Num. 10:25)

Rabbi Michel of Zhlotzov used to begin his prayers very late in the day. He offered an explanation: When the Jewish people traveled through the desert the tribe of Dan was last, behind all the others. Their job was to pick up and return all the lost items that their brethren had dropped along the way. On the spiritual level, their function was to elevate all the prayers that had been uttered without the proper intentions. I am just following their example.