The seven powers of a Teacher

Sunday evening and I was thinking what teachers should have to make their presence significant and notable in the classroom. The stimulation was a video that I shared from Teacher Channel some days ago. There were some colleagues who found it a bit exaggerated, describing the teachers as the core of education and the answer to everything. Personally, I found it humorous and I couldn’t help agreeing that there were some truths included.  We are definitely not the Holy Grail but we can make a difference and be awesome.

Therefore, I created a post with the seven powers that distinctive teachers should acquire:

T for tutoring – How many times do we give our extra attention and support to students who need it? Do we turn our backs to them? Absolutely not! We lean over their shoulder and guide them through their twisting path of learning.

E for embracing – Teachers should embrace all their students, their ‘kids’ as we tend to call them. Do parents distinguish their children? I don’t think so and I hope not. The same should apply in teaching. Our classrooms, no matter what their size, are full of little/older human beings, with their personalities, their qualities and flaws, their strengths and weaknesses. Open your arms and embrace them, both literally and metaphorically. They will appreciate it, no doubt about that. Show your attention to all of them, some need it more than the others, but try to keep a balance. No student should feel neglected.

A for affection – Teachers should not keep a distance from their students. They should show their care, support in tough times, be open to talk to when their students need someone to turn to. There are minor and huge problems, some can be solved and others need the advice of an expert, but the point is that students receive your attention.

C for creation or creativity – The most essential power for many educators including me.  Let’s think out of the box and develop critical thinking in learners. Let’s give it a go and try to be creative with our lessons. Give the chance to students to be creative with their learning. Let them use their own powers and boost their confidence. Let’s create a positive atmosphere in the classroom where goals can be accomplished and dreams can be pursued.

H for humour – Teachers who do not face their rat race with some humour cannot endure for long. The outcome? They become aloof, grumpy, feeling run down most of the time. They cannot enjoy their work, their time with their families and friends.  Concerning the classroom, humour can be used as an ice breaker or a lively start of the lesson. It can be the means to get new learning material across, bring students back to order, deal with sticky wickets.

E for effect – No matter how controversial that issue could be, no matter how many debates there are on this subject, I strongly believe that teachers have an effect on their students, positive or negative. The focus of our vocation should be to have a constructive impact on learners’ studies. It makes their learning procedure easier, it is the trait that we will be remembered for.

R for resources – Teachers may not be the answer or have the answer for all questions. However, we are the ones that students think of when they are at an impasse.  Especially for the younger ones, we are their living, breathing, walking encyclopedia, dictionary, Wikipedia. We should think of this characteristic as our privilege. We are there to enlighten them, share our knowledge, open their eyes to the unlimited world of knowledge. Even if we can’t know everything, we should, at least, spark their interest to questioning and searching.

The seven powers of a teacher- these are what I could think of. There are definitely more or there are ramifications hiding in my terms. Any additions from your part are most welcome.