Throughout the modern era in the 20th century, there have been continual efforts to reform schools and make them more efficient, imitating the industrial model of standardization. However, many students were left behind in this process. Certain dimensions of teaching, like making connections with all students, were lost in standards-based initiatives. The postmodern era brings with it an increased emphasis on preparing teachers to work with poor, at-risk, ethnically diverse, and special-needs populations. To achieve this goal, we must encourage candidates to reach beyond the technical aspects of teaching to become caring professionals. "Teachers as healers" invokes a powerful metaphor for this new paradigm. (Contains 1 figure.)