Redefining the Role of the Teacher – It’s a Multifaceted Profession

Introduction

The teaching profession has evolved with time. In the 21st century, being a teacher does not simply mean providing instructions and information, but rather providing an enriched and insightful learning experience. Students are not just meant to sit at desks for long hours to consume and cram information. They must learn how to think, solve, create, and innovate.

In recent times, there has been much awareness about restructuring teaching methods, and schools are considering many new perspectives and pedagogies. The whole structure of learning institutes and their environment play a significant role in shaping the future of students. In the old days, teachers were not allowed to deviate from traditional teaching methods. But now, they have much more liberty to bring in new techniques and experiment with different styles. Teaching is a craft that builds with time and experience. It also requires a considerable willingness and effort on the teacher’s part to give something of value to the students.

Besides the new and advanced teaching methods, there is also a dire need to focus on the content being taught to students. Teachers should ensure that the curriculum is age-appropriate and updated to meet the needs of current times. It should achieve the required standards of a rapidly changing world and be designed effectively. Schools and teachers should also bring in advanced teaching tools.

It’s about time that we rethink and reshape the teaching profession and understand what a student of the 21st century requires from its teachers and expects from the institute that he learns from. Here is a summary of some of the key points that help redefine the role of a teacher.

Understanding the psychology

Teaching is an art and a science. It is important that we realize the significance of psychology in teaching. Teachers do not need to be expert psychologists, but they must try to learn about the basic psychological principles that can be used to enhance a child’s learning. Educational and children’s psychology needs to be considered if a teacher wants to support and educate his students.

Students expect the teachers to be their guides and mentor. A classroom has students from diverse backgrounds, and every student is unique. It is unfair to teach all the students with the same method and expect them to excel without considering their individuality. The assessment should be more flexible. Being rigid only creates problems for the students as well as the teachers. Understanding psychology helps teachers build a good relationship with each student and allows the teacher to see them as individuals rather than just a group.

Smart work, not hard work

No one can deny the importance of hard work, but it is not healthy for students to push themselves beyond their capacity. If they are overworked and overwhelmed, they will have burnout, and their physical and mental health will be compromised. A teacher should help students bring balance to their studies and try to introduce teaching methods and tools that make things easier for them. 

Promote effective learning rather than forcing your students to work harder and harder. Teachers should experiment and see what methods work best for their students, focus on each technique’s outcomes, and plan the lessons accordingly. This is a great way to polish your craft of teaching.

Motivate students

Teachers have the power to inspire and motivate their students. If a student is not motivated to learn, even the best teaching methods and tools will not work. Building curiosity in students and teaching them how to think critically rather than what to think will help promote a growth mindset. They will have the space to be creative and innovative. Appreciating them and celebrating their achievements also motivates them to learn more and do better. 

An uninterested student lacking the enthusiasm to study will have trouble grasping even the most basic concepts. In contrast, a motivated student would be willing to put maximum effort, and the academic performance will automatically get better.

Giving feedback

Giving timely and constructive feedback is crucial to maintaining the productivity of a student. The purpose of feedback should not be to shame students for their inabilities and bad performance but to encourage them to learn and do better. It is important to appreciate them for what they are doing right and give an explanation of what they are not doing correctly. Giving them new perspectives and supporting them to overcome their weaknesses will yield positive results. The students should look forward to getting feedback from their teachers instead of being scared to receive it.

Knowing technology

A teacher in the 21st century must know the use of technology. A lot of teaching resources are available online, and many teaching tools require basic tech knowledge. If a teacher is not aware of how to use technology efficiently, there will be a huge gap in the teacher-student relationship, and the performance of both the teacher and student will suffer. There are countless online resources like YouTube videos, blogs, journals, etc., that can assist students in their learning. Moreover, after the covid-19 pandemic, most schools rely on online lectures, and it has reshaped the education system. 

The learning environment and mental health

The learning environment plays a key role in inspiring students to learn. It has a huge impact on their motivation level. If the environment of a school and classroom is demotivating and depressing, it will kill the curiosity of students and make them anxious. Learning will become a burden, and students’ mental health will be affected badly. It is important that teachers realize how their support and encouragement can make a big difference. Schools should ensure that students are happy and at ease. When they are mentally relaxed, only then can they perform well.

Teacher training programs

A teacher should be well-trained and well-prepared. Attending teacher training programs can be of great help. They allow you to learn communication skills, understand education psychology, and devise effective teaching methods. As you will develop and polish your teaching skill, your students will benefit greatly from you, and you will not just remain a teacher but will also become a true mentor to them. The craft of teaching requires continuous struggle and progress, and teachers cannot stay fixed to a particular pattern and teaching methodology.

Conclusion

In this day and age, teachers must be friendly and reachable. Being distant, inaccessible, and harsh cannot work if the goal is to provide an enriched learning experience to students. Rethinking the traditional ways and considering new perspectives is something that all schools and teachers need to do. The teachers at Sherwood High are a fine manifestation of this multifaceted profession. They exhibit the qualities that are required to meet the standards of education in the 21st century. Their dynamism and conscientiousness show their willingness to polish their craft of teaching.