Becoming A Teacher

Teacher

God understood our thirst for knowledge, and our need to be led by someone wiser; 
He needed a heart of compassion, of encouragement, and patience; 
Someone who would accept the challenge regardless of the opposition; 
Someone who could see potential and believe in the best in others . . . 
So He made Teachers.

                In education, a teacher is one who helps students or pupils, often in a school, as well as in a family, religious or community setting. A teacher is an acknowledged guide or helper in processes of learning. A teacher’s role may vary between cultures. Academic subjects are emphasized in many societies, but a teacher’s duties may include instruction in craftsmanship or vocational training, spirituality, civics, community roles, or life skills. In modern schools and most contemporary occidental societies, where scientific pedagogy is practiced, the teacher is defined as a specialized profession on the same level as many other professions.

                In Hinduism the spiritual teacher is known as a guru. Traditionally, a spiritual seeker would revere his or her guru highly, and demonstrate utmost submission and humility through menial service in order to prove worthy to be a recipient of the knowledge the guru has attained by initiation practices. There are many sayings on the teacher like “Guru devo bhava” (Guru is God), which reflects of the esteem associated with a guru’s role.

                In the Latter Day Saint movement the teacher is an office in the Aaronic priesthood, while in Tibetan Buddhism the teachers of Dharma in Tibet are most commonly called a Lama. A Lama who has through phowa and siddhi consciously determined to be reborn, often many times, in order to continue their Bodhisattva vow is called a Tulku.

                There are many concepts of teachers in Islam, ranging from mullahs (the teachers at madrassas) to ulemas.

                A Rabbi is generally regarded as the Jewish spiritual teacher.

                Guru is composed of the syllables ‘gu’ and ‘ru’, the former signifying ‘darkness’, and the latter signifying ‘the destroyer of that [darkness]‘, hence a guru is one characterized as someone who dispels spiritual ignorance (darkness), with spiritual illumination (light).

                For many formative years, teachers are one of the most important adults in a child’s life – and yet for much of the time we take them for granted.

                Teaching is arguably one of the least appreciated professions. Year after year, teachers are responsible for educating and guiding our youth to grow and prosper; however, they continue to be unappreciated by parents, school boards, and quite honestly…students.

                Traditionally we remember to show our appreciation for our child’s teacher either during “Teacher Appreciation Week” or at the end of the school year. But there is nothing to stop you letting your teachers knows how much you appreciate them at any time of the year!

                A quick “thank you” note or email takes a moment to write and send but the pleasure it gives is enormous.

                If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn’t want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher’s job. 

                I don’t really know whether people will like my writing or not but all I would want them all to know is that my teachers have been the best guide to me all these years I have lived.

The whole career of Jesus the teacher, as King-priest, was to educate people in God’s law and will. As the royal Messiah, the foretold “twig out of the stump of Jesse (David’s father),” Jesus, master teacher of all mankind, must manifest the ‘spirit of God in wisdom, counsel, mightiness, knowledge, along with the fear of God.’ Thereby, God-fearing people would find “enjoyment by Him.” (Isaiah 11:1-3) says: “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears;”

Therefore, the career of Jesus, teacher of all, was bearing witness to the truth,’ to the things to which God had sworn. Jesus was thus no shadow Messiah or Christ. He was the real one promised. Jesus was no shadow king-priest. He was, in substance and fact, the true one that had been prefigured. (Rom 15:8) says: “Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers.” Compare (Psalm 18:49) “Therefore I will give thanks to You O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your name.”

Jesus, as a teacher, was to accomplish His ministry in bearing witness to the truth. This was a job that required more of Jesus than merely talking, preaching and teaching. Besides shedding His heavenly glory to be born as a human, He had to fulfill all the things prophesied about Him, including the shadows or patterns contained in the Law covenant. (Col 2:16-17) says: “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”

To uphold the truth of His Father’s prophetic word and promises, Jesus our teacher had to live in such a way as make that truth become reality, fulfilling it by what He said and did, how He lived and how He died. Thus, Jesus the master teacher had to be the truth, in effect, the embodiment of the truth, as Jesus our teacher Himself said he was. (John 14:6) says: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Jesus the teacher of God’s ways aimed his message not merely at men’s minds but primarily at their hearts, proving Himself to be Jesus, the master teacher, using penetrating questions to cause them to think, arrive at their own conclusions, search their hearts, make decisions. (Matt 17:25) says: “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from “strangers?” (Mark 3:4) says: “He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to kill?” (Luke 10:26) says: He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” (John 8:46) says: “Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?”

Jesus was a teacher that did not strive to win over the masses but to awaken the hearts of those sincerely hungering for truth and righteousness. (Matt 5:6) says: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Jesus, the master teacher, was considerate of the limited understanding of his spectators and even of his disciples and used discernment in His teachings as to how much information to give them. (John 16:12) says: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” Jesus, teacher of God’s word. never watered down God’s massage in a effort to gain popularity or curry favor. His speech was straightforward, even blunt at times. (Matt 5:37) says: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Compare (Luke 11:37-52).

The unparalleled wisdom found in the teachings of Jesus, who was more than Solomon, is one of the most powerful evidences that he was indeed the master teacher, Son of God. The gospel accounts could never be the mere product of imperfect men’s minds or imagination.(Matt 12:42) says: “The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.”

Jesus, the teacher’s manner of teaching was remarkably effective for it says in (John 7:45-46) “Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, ‘Why have you not brought Him?‘ The officers answered, ‘No man ever spoke like this Man!’” Jesus presented matters of great weight and depth with simplicity, brevity and clarity. He illustrated His points in His teachings with things well known to His listeners (Matt 13:34-35) – to fishermen (Matt 13:47-48), shepherds (Matt 13:3-9) builders (John 10:1-17), farmers (Luke 14:28-30), merchants and so forth. Simple things like old garments, bread, wineskins, salt and water were used as symbols of things of great importance, even as they were so used in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Jesus, our teacher proved himself to be the promised “wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:12) says: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” By His knowledge of God’s Word and will, by His understanding of human nature, his ability to get at the heart of questions and issues and to show the solution to problems of daily living, Jesus the teacher indeed proved Himself to be the master teacher of all. The well-known “Sermon on the Mount” is a prime example of this. (Matt. Chaps. 5 through 7)

Through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus, the teacher, who is our master teacher, gives us good counsel on the way to true happiness, the settling of quarrels, how to avoid immorality, how to deal with those showing enmity, the true practice of righteousness free from hypocrisy, the right attitude toward the material things of life, confidence in God’s generosity, the golden rule for right relationships with others, the means for detecting religious frauds, how to build for a secure future. The crowds were “astounded at His way of teaching; for He was teaching them as a person having authority, and not as their scribes.” (Matt 7:28-29).

EXPANDING THE REAL BELLY

Foundation has already been led by getting a job as a teacher. That’s not the end but the initiation to a dedicated and committed area. Now, the pace is not to stop in that level just as a stereotyped man, but to expand our dimension. Expanding the real belly means expanding the actual position of teachership. After expansion, deepening of this career is also awaiting. Dr. Radhakrishnan could do that work and became the world famous philosopher with the grade of president of India. Why not we!!! Getting a job and staying in that level for years and increasing belly is not the real expansion of belly. Life is a perennial river, always flowing towards the greatness (ocean), does not stop even a big hurdle tries to block it. Progressive life itself finds the way to reach its goal. Ample of opportunities are there to grow. Only require, teacher’s first step of hope and faith which will create confidence and find a way to develop.

AREAS OF EXPANSION:

If the teachers are in a confuse state and blank in the expanding the real belly, then here are some tips to help.

Pen to publish-

 Very few teachers note down their experience in their note book for future research and use. Most of the teachers meet the challenge of their job with traditional means and overlook any challenge without putting any special efforts. Those who are taking efforts, they are also not found to make record. Penning the new efforts and plan, then giving them as articles to different magazines for publication and circulation is a very good idea for expansion.

Think creative-

Hardly any teachers use their mind power. Thinking is activated if teacher wish to be creative. Taping positive and creative thinking for a new research is essential in the education field. Maintaining a personal diary by teacher to note down the tapped creative thinking is a must. A teacher with creativity is a hero in the educational platform. Thus keeping a mind and not producing any creative thinking is the job of a meaningless teacher. That’s why it is told that “teacher’s mind is not useless but used less”.

Create new hobbies-

 Now a day’s, when a teacher faces any interview the sure question the board member to ask is about hobbies. Curricular and extracurricular activities are becoming more valuable than the subject day by day. That’s why creating more hobbies like reading, painting, music, writing, etc should be developed by a real teacher.

Change to higher-

Many of the teachers are found to be stagnant throughout their life in one teaching post and suffered from poverty with the competitive rising price world. They don’t think about their change to new/higher services. A Primary teacher can be a TGT in the long run if he tries. Now a day’s Public schools are giving more payment than the government ones. School job sector is openly welcoming in the higher services to those who are hard worker and dedicated.

Serve the people-

Teacher’s job is not only to serve the children but also to people. ‘Teacher’, the very word is vast. In every moment teacher should be ready to give social service if needed in the society. He must play the saintly role by taking the people around him from the darkness to light through his valuable talk and behaviour. He should try to be an icon in front of the mass.

Build your groups-

Building a creative group of his like is also an expanding point. The literary group can enhance the literary strength while the games enhance the physical strength within you. Participating in such a creative group to support our good habits pay more in the long run. Development in a group becomes very quick as the group members inspire each other.

Expand reading habits-

 Give a regular touch with a library. If there is no library at your place, make sure that you are making a small library of your own. Making a library is not a tough task. A single book can start your new library. Your reading habit will inspire others, especially the children who have their grand future to flourish. Your reading habit will definitely revolutionize your gifted mind one day. And you will hope for a bigger life for you.

Say yes to degrees-

 I have noticed some of the persons who try degrees till their last breath. Teachers are in the study faculty for whole life, but rarely try for more degrees. Please mind it. More degrees mean more knowledge and the studies in touch with you. More knowledge means more ideas and development. Adding years to you makes you old , but adding degrees creates vibrant energy to be young forever.

Maintain your physic-

We, everybody know,’ health is wealth’. But rarely do we notice at it. Your correct health gives your mind ample strength to think creatively and do it in action. Health keeps you strong for whole life. Every day one hour practice of yoga, pranayam, etc makes you fit for whole life. In today’s world all types of such physical trainings are at our hand but if teacher has no interest in it, then nobody can do anything.

Teacher is responsible for his own glory and failure. An extraordinary mind always wants to be extraordinary, even in a desert, a lonely environment. Success touches those who always think for it. As thinking turns into action and action pays for the success. The noble job has to be realized by the teachers. A mere touch of expansion and deepening of the profession may surely increase the efficiency of a generation. Teachership is waiting for that consciousness and feeling among the teachers. Teachers must realize their real weight of their actual belly, their knowledge which should be expanded and more expanded till the reaching of its highest perfection which is never ending and endless.

  By Mr.Harekrushna Behera,Unchahar

                                                                                  E-Mail-  hare_321ku@rediffmail.com

Child Teacher Relation

Let’s consider specific guidelines to help you communicate effectively with your child’s teacher. Practice these guidelines, and your child will reap the benefits.

Guideline 1: Identify the purpose for the conference. Is it to become acquainted? Is it to alleviate your concerns about your child’s poor attitude towards reading and/or school! Or is it to receive a report card and test scores? Each of these situations is vastly different and requires different preparation.

Guideline 2: Communicate the purpose for the conference. If you are requesting the conference, immediately tell the teacher the purpose. This helps to alleviate any imagined fears the teacher may have about your request to hold a conference.

Guideline 3: Arrange the conference at the teacher’s convenience. The teacher then has sufficient time to plan and to have the necessary information at the conference. An unplanned conference can turn out to be a waste of time for both teacher and parent and cause feelings of frustration.

Guideline 4: Plan for the conference. Write out the areas and questions you want the conference to cover. Combine, delete, and clarify these questions, and, finally, prioritize them. By using this process, your most important questions will be answered in a clear, succinct manner. Moreover, the teacher’s responses will likely be clearer and more to the point.

Guideline 5: Restate the purpose of the conference at the onset. Try to stay a on one topic since your time together is limited.

Guideline 6: Display a positive attitude during the conference. Be aware that not only what you say reflects your attitude, but also your tone of voice, facial expression, and body movements. A loud voice may imply dominance. Rigid posture may suggest anger or disapproval. Always listen attentively and show your enthusiasm.

Guideline 7: Remain open and supportive throughout the conference. Don’t become antagonistic or defensive; otherwise the conference outcome can be disastrous. Strive for cooperation between you and your child’s teacher. Even when teachers present a negative side of your child’s behavior or inform you of other problems, try to remain objective. This can be difficult when it is your child, but he will experience as many or more difficulties if you and die teacher don’t try to find a way to work together to solve these problems.

Guideline 8: Make sure suggestions are provided to increase your child’s growth. If your child is doing well, find out what you can do to ensure continued success and progress. If he has difficulties, make sure the teacher goes beyond merely pointing out a problem. The teacher needs to provide ideas for eliminating or reducing the difficulty. Many parents have been discouraged or aggravated because teachers point out problems but don’t provide solutions. Don’t let this situation occur! If immediate suggestions can’t be provided, then a follow-up conference is needed.

Guideline 9: Ask for examples of daily work to better understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses By reviewing your child’s work, you will learn if progress has been made since the last conference. Have any weaknesses become more severe? If improvement hasn’t been made, are other methods or materials being used? As a parent, what should you be doing at home with your child?

Guideline 10: Clarify and summarize each important point as it is discussed. Thus, both teacher and parent are better able to develop a mutual understanding and agreement. Let’s took at a conference in which a parent does a good job of clarifying and summarizing a major point.

Teacher Susan has difficulties with oral reading. She is not reading smoothly and tends to read in a word-by-word fashion. if Susan reads along with a taped version of a book, her oral reading would improve. Can you provide Susan with taped versions of books?

Parent: Susan is a poor reader. Do you want me to make tones of books so Susan can read along with the tape?

Teacher: Yes, you can make tapes, but the public and school library can also provide you with tapes and books. Also, I would like to clarify one point about Susan’s reading ability. She has some difficulty with oral reading, but I would not classify her as a poor reader.

Parent: Thank-you for the clarification. Susan and I will work together on improving oral reading. We will check the school and the public library for some books and tapes.

If the parent hadn’t summarized and clarified what was heard in this conference, a misconception might have developed- By suggesting that she would tape books for Susan, the parent was able to find out if the suggestion was appropriate as well as learning about alternatives. Notice that this parent summarized the conference at the end so both parties received the same message.

Guideline 11: Owe agreement is reached, discuss the next topic. During the conference, you may want the teacher to understand certain things about your child. or you may have a special request. Once your point is understood and the teacher has agreed, it is wise not to continue the same discussion. It may present new questions which may reverse the previously made agreement. Once a decision is made, it is best to start discussing the next point. You will find the conference to be much more productive.

Guideline 12: Make sure you understand the information the teacher is supplying. Often teachers use educational jargon, not realizing parents don’t understand. Don’t be afraid to ask for an explanation or definition. Make sure when the conference ends you have understood all the information reported. if you’re confused or uncertain, your child won’t benefit and learning may be hindered.

Guideline 13: Keep conferences short. Conferences that run more than 40 minutes can be tiresome for both parent and teacher. If you can’t accomplish all that has been planned, ask for another conference. By scheduling a future conference, you will have an opportunity to follow up on previous agreements and revise them if necessary

You wake up very early in the morning trying to get updated on what your kid needs before he/she goes to school. You maybe busy cooking the morning’s breakfast for the kids, prepare the backpacks, the assignments and all other things to make your kids completely ready for the day’s schooling. You wake them up early too smiling and seems very happy because finally you’ve just finished all the things needed before they go to school. However, you should admit it that your kid’s teacher has more time than you do in school because the teacher maybe with your kids for the next eight hours in school. That is why you also want to have a good connection with your kid’s teacher and, maybe, give those apples and all other tokens as your way of appreciating their efforts. Actually there are five important core values you need to understand to have a good bonding with your kid’s teacher.

1. Engagement

Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association says participating in the activities of your kids in school will surely make wonders because the kids also learn to be less disruptive. Helping you kids do the homework everyday also helps the teachers know that you, too, is actively supporting the kids in their growing years. It is really nice to see a parent-teacher tandem in their education years in school. Your total engagement toy our children in school is always a welcome development for teachers.

2. Trust

Teachers would always care for your kids because they do have deep appreciation in your role as their parent, knowing that the growing years of children should be a teacher-parent tandem, so that building trust is very important. You should trust what the teachers do in school. You should listen to the teacher’s opinions most especially in bad times. While it’s always been a notion that you know more than the teachers about your children but in their growing behavior in school, teachers also know more than you as a parent because they too can monitor the behavioral patterns of their students.

3. Communication

Many parents think that your role such as the signing off of your children’s report cards and permission slips is enough. However, it was learned that communicating about your kid’s progress in school, health condition, happiness and more is also very important factor in his growth as a kid and as a student. Basically, teachers do not know what happened in the homes. If this happens, your student’s teacher has also the right to know so that she will know this might be the reason of your kid’s bad performance in the class during class hours.

4. Appreciation

Teaching is very tiring profession because educators commit more of their hours in schools rather than staying in their homes. But many people do not give much value or importance to this role of many teachers. They deserve to be given appreciation, so that teacher appreciation week 2009 in the United States is a very significant activity every year. This is the time when teacher’s efforts are being recognized. Recognition of their efforts does not actually mean buying them expensive things but there are a lot more teacher appreciation ideas you can contribute.

5. Respect

Teachers only want enough respect from the parents so that when you visit the school to pick up your children you simply need to say hellos to your teachers. You can also simply pick up a home phone and say “thanks” to the teachers. It will only take a least “30 seconds to make your teacher think how important they were in your kid’s growing years. Jo Ann Brooks said getting your kids in school on time is also a big help for teachers to maximize their efforts in educating the children and make them respectable citizens of the country too.