Teachers Are Keenly Observed By Students

I am very fortunate to be in a position which gives me a wonderful opportunity to interact closely with both students and teachers. School is a place where growth is inevitable and both teachers and students are its strong pillars. It is intellectually prolific and makes possible the holistic development of its students. But, a school which doesn’t cater to the growth and development of its teachers is bound to deteriorate the process of learning. Well, when we talk about growth, we do understand that growth is an exacting process which requires a lot of elements to function productively. Schools often neglect the fact that it is also important for the teachers to adapt to the changing times and adopt the methods which will rejuvenate the teaching-learning process. I am quite confident that teachers are keeping themselves abreast with the changes in the field of education; they are trying to adapt to the changing expectations and fast pacing technology. But, my focus in this article isn’t to discuss the teaching and learning methods. No, I am not going to point out the ways teaching can be improved and made more effective. I have discussed it in many of my previous articles and will discuss them in future if required but this article is not going to focus on any of that.

For me, this piece of writing is all about understanding the nuances and subtleties that we might overlook when it comes to our teachers. This might sound quite debatable but I observed that teachers as individuals are in many ways; quite similar to the students they are required to guide and teach. Well, this isn’t an easy thing to state. Teachers are emulated by students, they are often considered to be perfect; an epitome of excellence and intellect. So, do I mean otherwise? Do I mean that teachers make mistakes like students? All I am trying to explain here is that there are certain expectations that we have from our students and when students fail to meet the expectations, we take up corrective and remedial measures. Similarly, teachers are expected to follow certain codes of conduct, and rules and regulations. And the most important part is that teachers have to take extra care in fulfilling the expectations as they have to set examples at every step.

Now let us deal with these expectations and similarities between teachers and students in detail:

The students are expected to be punctual in terms of attendance, completion of class work and homework and submission of notebooks. Students are also expected to complete the homework neatly. Similarly, teachers are expected to do the corrections in time, maintain a record of the correction work for further evaluation and do the correction work properly.

The students are expected to prepare for the exams and perform well. Similarly the teachers are expected to prepare proper lesson plans and teach effectively in the class, keeping the kids engaged. They are expected to inculcate in students, love and interest for the subject. “How do you know if you are driving the right way when you are traveling somewhere new? You use the road signs and a map (although nowadays it might be SIRI or a GPS). In the world of education, your objectives for your students act as road signs to your destination. Your plan is the map. Making a plan does not suggest a lack of creativity in your curriculum but rather, gives creativity a framework in which to flourish.”

Teachers also need advice and proper counseling from time to time, like the students. Teaching and learning is a tasking process and proper motivation and encouragement is required to keep up with this process efficiently. Teachers can be kept motivated through workshops and students through proper and regular counseling. “Reflective teachers can easily get disheartened if they don’t have someone a bit experienced and wiser offering support. You are never too old or wise for a mentor. Mentors can be that voice that says, “Yes your reflections are correct,” or “No, you are off because….” and provide you with a different perspective.”

A few students are often found gossiping and judging other students and indulging in bullying, which spoils their personality and harms the confidence of other students. Unfortunately, even a few teachers indulge in bad mouthing and gossiping about other teachers. This harms their image as teachers, if students get to know about it. Teachers are expected to spread positivity and encourage the students to avoid being judgmental. It is said that great people talk about ideas. This is what teachers need to practice and preach.

Students are expected to be patient in many situations as studies can cause a lot of pressure. For the students to be patient we need the teachers to be calm and composed in the toughest hours so that the students can imbibe the same. The teachers especially need to be calm while dealing with the mistakes done by students so that they can find an appropriate solution. If they shout and blame the student in such a case, the student might not learn a lesson and would resent and feel frustrated.

If we expect students to be free from prejudices and preconceived notions, teachers should also avoid them strictly. Teachers should never have any kind of preconceived notions about any child and should avoid generalizing the situation by stating that “children these days have become difficult to manage”.

Students and teachers need to step into each other’s shoes. When we look at a general classroom setting, students are often required to sit quietly and teachers are supposed to lecture incessantly. This needs to be remodeled and students should be encouraged to take charge and participate; and teachers should facilitate the learning process by being a guide. Role reversal and switching the position will help them understand each other’s problems better. “Classrooms are like an ever-evolving dynamic organism. Depending on the day, the attendance roster, and the phase of the moon, you might have to change up your plans or your schedule to accommodate your students. As they grow and change, your methods might have to as well. If your goal is to promote a curriculum or method, you will feel uncomfortable if you have to modify it. If connecting with your students is your goal, you’ll have no trouble changing it up as time moves on.”

Both students and teachers are required to be innovative in their presentations. As teachers would not expect and accept a copied homework assignment, similarly the teachers must keep their teaching material authentic and original for the students to value it. “Consistency is not to be confused with “stuck.” Consistency means that you do what you say you will do, you don’t change your rules based on your mood, and your students can rely on you when they are in need. Teachers who are stuck in their outdated methods may boast consistency, when in fact it is cleverly-masked stubbornness.”

We expect our students to be aware of the current facts and basic vocabulary, to indulge in reading for pleasure and learn something new every day. Similarly, teachers should keep themselves up to date with the advancements in their subjects. “Good teachers find time in their schedule to learn themselves. Not only does it help bolster your knowledge in a certain subject matter, it also puts you in the position of student. This gives you a perspective about the learning process that you can easily forget when you’re always in teaching mode.”

We expect the students to be positive and the same is the expected from the teachers. “Negative energy zaps creativity and it makes a nice breeding ground for fear of failure. Good teachers have an upbeat mood, a sense of vitality and energy, and see past momentary setbacks to the end goal. Positivity breeds creativity.”

To err is human. Mistakes are a part of our lives. They teach us life altering lessons and help us grow. When a child makes a mistake we expect the child to own up to it and make necessary amends in her/his behaviour. Similarly, if teachers commit mistakes (for example not completing an assigned duty on time); they should accept the callousness on their part and do their best to avoid it the next time. With self improvement, the mentors can chisel themselves to work for the greater good of the society.

Last but not the least, we expect students to work in groups to help each other develop. We expect them to mentor each other and share the credit as it is the best way of learning. Similarly, teachers are expected to help each other and work in teams for better results and each other’s professional and social improvement.

Keeping these expectations in mind I would like to say that the educators need to grow with the learners for a better future of the system of education. “You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end, each of us must work for his/her own improvement and, at the same time, share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful.”