Q. Is it correct for a teacher to keep on telling his students that they can all grow to be Gedolei Yisrael, when it is obvious that they don’t have the mental or any other abilities to be so and later in life they will become heavily discouraged and may go off the derech?

A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that the definition of a Godol Yisroel is the one that serves Hashem completely, without reservation and placing all of one’s effort and exertion to achieve being a total eved and servant to Hashem. (Rambam H. Teshuva 5: 2) writes; “Every person is fit to be as righteous as Moshe Rabbenu”)
The above can be achieved by almost anyone who has the conviction, will and stamina to do it. The Rov pointed as an example; Rav Nachumke of Horodna zt”l, known as a very great tzadik and for being the Rebbe of the Chofetz Chaim. His position was not more than a shamesh (sexton) in shul, yet he was undoubtedly a Godol Yisroel.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a