Much like Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, the Doctor and his companion often play the role of brain and heart. Companions function as an audience surrogate, but are often invaluable when mysteries stretch beyond reason. The Doctor's current companion is Clara Oswald, a school teacher. In the latest episode, a soldier questions Clara's qualifications to help with a dangerous mission.
Soldier Joan Blue: Are you sure you understand?
Clara: Why wouldn't I?
Soldier Joan Blue: Because this is a dangerous mission and you look like a school teacher.
Clara: I am a school teacher!
In just three episodes this season, the Doctor has thrown Clara into dangerous situations with the faith that she will be clever enough to find a way out of it, with little or no harm to others. When Clara does need guidance, however, the Doctor doesn't just set her straight... he retrains the way she thinks and approaches situations. If anything, this is the incarnation of the Doctor who teaches his companions how to think outside of the box, to ask the right questions, and to be bold when seeking the answers. Of course, the Doctor does not have all the answers. Being non-human means he lacks a certain empathy in some situations. The school teacher, however, is naturally bold and honest and has the moral authority to not just solve the mystery, but to avoid destruction and find other ways to solve problems.
The Doctor: Daleks are evil. That's what we just learned!
Clara: No, Doctor, that is not what we just learned.
...
Clara: Think about it, is that what we learned?
The Doctor teaches Clara how to think critically, but Clara teaches the Doctor how to reflect on the value of such critical thinking. When she wins him over, he is able to see what she sees, and states, "We can do better."
One thing that a school teacher and a genius alien can agree on is that the truth and knowledge are beautiful, precious things. Ideally, teachers should be the Doctor and the companion, the Sherlock and the Watson, the brain and the heart. I'd like to be the type of teacher who can send a pupil into the academic unknown and say, "You are clever! You can figure this out!" or "You're cleverer than this! We can do better!" I'd like to be the teacher who can teach students to ask the right questions, to challenge them to do better and not settle for solutions set in front of them. Good teachers teach students how to listen, how to do, and how to be strong and independent when faced with daunting tasks.
You want weapons? We're in a library! Books! The best weapons in the world! This room's the greatest arsenal we could have - arm yourselves!
- The Doctor
