"Some teachers" can say about anything, really. It doesn't particularly mean they are right or wrong; they just have a different method of delivering the message. But, I would be confused if it was explained the way you summarize in your note. I was always taught that the hard emphasis or total body weight, if you will, is on the first step, because the weight lessens on the rise of 2 and 3. I think the second part of your note makes sense, as you definitely have to shift weight when completing count 3. Even on this site's learning center, it is made pretty easy to understand when it states "Strong accent on 1."
There may be some other approaches to this, and the long-time instructors on this site always provide valuable insight as to exactly what your instructor may be trying to say, or if there is something to that interpretation. Regardless of how you want to think of weight pressure and shift, I have always just thought about rise and fall. If you have that concept stuck in your mind, and your body is following it, I would think the weight shifts would occur the way they should.