The Changing Role of Teachers

Aug. 13, 2011 - PRLog -- Teachers wield enormous influence as they take on the roles of friend, mentor, counselor, spiritual guide and social activist. In the past, teachers throughout our country cried out for improved teaching condition and the best possible atmosphere for teaching. The classroom teacher no longer wanted to be a clerk, simply an imparter of knowledge, a Jack-of- all trades but a teacher-one who guides pupils to their full attainment.
   Over a period of time, the role of teachers have changed and they are more a friend or a welwisher to their students. A teacher is the cream and torch-bearer of any society. The explosion of media and technology has broadened the perspective of the student with increasing option of gathering information or knowledge.
   Teachers play a valuable role in today’s society. They play an integral part in the process of its forming as they are the front line of instruction. The Government may make the standard and suggest ways of assessment and the administrators may direct the teachers in method and techniques, but it is the teacher who teaches.
   With children being brighter every day the role of teachers are bound to change. Today they have to face more intensive challenges than it was 30 years ago. When we speak of good teacher it means that a teacher must be a model of faith and piety and should have fairly good knowledge. He should know the art of teaching with a deep insight into child psychology.
   The most powerful and effective way teachers can help students overcome the negative influences in their environment is by developing close and caring connection with students. Parents, primary care givers, extended family members, friends, community members and youth leaders can all play important role in rebuilding the personality of children.
   Teachers must have a passion for teaching inorder to make a career of public education. That passion may come across in their love of a specific content area but it also comes out in how their specific content area is appropriated to society. When the time comes for the students to become an upstanding member or a pillar of society these lessons will stay with them.
               
Mrs. Smita Sharma, Head Mistress,
Sai Holy Faith High School
Navi Mumbai