Don’t Just Be A Teacher, Be A Role Model

An average teacher teaches, but a good teacher motivates. 

It is the responsibility of teachers and parents to be compassionate towards children and instil good thoughts and values in them. Children tend to look up to the adult influences in their lives, and so it usually falls to parents and teachers to be their role models. This is a role of great responsibility, as children are very impressionable and look up to the adults in their lives for cues on how to behave and react to the world around them.

The  words of Rabindranath Tagore are extremely relevant in the field of education:  ‘Don’t limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time.’ It is necessary to be flexible and empathetic towards children and to think from their point of view in order to truly understand them. The current generation is far more advanced than their predecessors in almost every respect, as modern technology and the Internet have given them the opportunity to explore the world by themselves. For this reason, it is necessary to give them their own space and teach and guide them without being overbearing or expecting complete submission.  

Before mingling with children, it is the responsibility of educators to make sure that they have the right mindset. Being stern and a disciplinarian only breeds fear and resentment in children. Instead, teachers need to get used to being open, approachable, friendly, non-judgemental and empathetic, so as to be perceived as trustworthy and a potential role model by their students.  Instead of getting angry with children when they go wrong, it is advisable to sit them down and have a conversation, whereby they can understand their mistakes without getting intimidated or scared.

The following methods can be adopted in order to become a role model for children.

• Address them by their names.
• If they have any doubts, answer them.  Don’t leave them hanging. 
• Teach the children to believe in their instincts. 
• Create a conducive environment for them to talk openly and without the fear of being judged. 

The most important function of a role model is to help children become better versions of themselves and instill in them a sense of positivity and self-worth that will help them make sensible decisions throughout their life. As a role model, it is important to add value to the lives of students. In addition to helping  them achieve academic success, it is important to teach them to respect themselves, understand their potential and be good human beings.