"SLC | S22W5 : Teachers as examples and role models"

When mentioning a noble profession, teaching is one of them. As it is usually said, no matter who you are, what you achieved, or what you have become, you were taught by a teacher.

However, it is understood that teachers may make mistakes or be mean at some point. I dare you to say that you have not been inspired by a teacher. Oh yes, in one way or another, you've been inspired by a teacher, because these people called teachers are a blessing and true image of inspiration to emulate good manners and draw inspiration from.

It is true that teachers are models to their students. As models, it is possible for my students to do everything they see me do even if they are right or wrong. That is why teachers should always be at their best.

1. Improve on yourself academically

2. Speak well

3. Dress well

4. Manage your emotions and always be at your best behaviour because you're the book your students read. Whatever they understand from reading the book, that's exactly what they will do.

As a teacher, know that you can be a bad influence if you don't present yourself well before your students.

While I read this challenge, I decided I was going to tell my students to rate my actions and behaviour towards them as their teacher. I asked them to write in animosity without writing their names on the sheet of paper.

I gave them three questions to provide answers.

• Question 1: Things I have learnt from my teacher

• Question 2: Things my teacher is doing I want her to change

• Question 3: Things I learnt from my teacher and will love to do the same

I got amazing answers. They all poured out their minds. Pictures below.

Here are reasons why teachers should be good models and a positive influence, because being a negative influence can result in the following;

1. Students grow to become bad and negative influences on others.

2. Results in students making bad decisions

3. Students may grow to become bad leaders.

4. They may become adults with low values and morals.

5. May grow to arrogant, impatient, unkind, difficult and mean.

6. They may also grow to be a problem for society and not just their families.

A teacher's positive behaviour before his students can write off many wrongs, mend and inspire a lot. Hence, the importance of positive behaviour as a teacher.

Negative behaviours are inherent in every human, not just in teachers. I'll point out all the negative behaviours I've noticed in teachers, not about myself, but I've noticed that some teachers are:

• Poor appearance and poorly dressed. In my country, when people want to describe poorly dressed professionals, teachers will be mentioned.

• Bad presentation of colleagues: I've seen teachers talk low of their colleagues in the presence of their students. That portrays a bad image of another person.

• Unkindness: While I was at university, I heard a lecturer who promised to fail a student as long as he still handles that particular course.

• Nagging and screaming aloud while teaching

• Spitting saliva outside the window while teaching

• Unnecessary discussion with another colleague while teaching

• Quarrelling with another colleague. Yes, I've seen a teacher who quarrels with another colleague while teaching. That was unintentional, but this is mismanagement of one's emotions as a teacher.

• Use of mobile phones and other gadgets for non-educational purposes and even taking of calls

As a teacher, when I started teaching, I had some flaws, especially anger. Today, I can say that God has helped me overtime to deal with it because it has contributed to many of my positive behaviours today, which I'm happy about.

• Simplicity and selflessness: I used to be a rude and mean teacher, over the years, as a teacher. As time went on, I realised that my students weren't comfortable with me, they were usually scared and withdrawn. I mean, there was no connection between me and the pupils, so I had to be simple and show empathy for the pupils. I can boldly say that my students are more comfortable with me than anyone.

The positive relationship has motivated them to be bold, courageous and friendly. It has also created a positive learning environment for learners.

• Disciplined: As a teacher, I've been so mindful of myself in the way I speak, walk, relate with others, my disposition, language, just not to portray a negative image that may affect my students' negativity.

Being disciplined has motivated students to make positive decisions and stick to them. That could be seen in their response to the questions I asked them.

Other behaviours are:

• Boldness

• Honesty and truthfulness

• Humility

• Caring and compassionate

• Kindness

• Creative

• Respect

• Diligent

• Hard-working

These lifestyle has motivated my students to stay true, be confident, loving, kind and caring.
These attitudes have not just helped them relate with their friends but it has also improved their personalities and also made them patriotic.

Yes, it has positive impacts on them like I have mentioned above.

• It enhances the students relationships with one another. Students who have bad home training, who are unloved and uncared for have learnt kindness and support to one another because they have learnt so from me.

There are families who have no respect for others. These kinds of families are characterised by domestic violence, disrespect to others, especially the female gender, disobedience and dishonesty. Seeing the way I speak and address issues has taught them to be respectful, obedient, loyal, humble, thoughtful and caring too.

• Also, my exemplary life has built more trust and friendship between my students and I, unlike a regular teacher. The students are more open as we can easily discuss about their challenges and find possible solutions.

• It has encouraged unity and team spirit amongst my students because they have learnt open mindedness and humility from me. This has helped us to achieve success in all our endeavours.

• The students have learnt to be empathic. It gives me joy when I see my students volunteer to help each other and most times sweep and arrange the class because empathy for one another has been taught by the teacher.

• Building leadership: With the encouragement to be bold, my very timid students can stand out to speak up, of course, their teacher is always bold to defend the truth. No more timidity, there are all great leaders.

Being a teacher is a great job, because in the course of teaching, you have become a motivational speaker, inspiration, motivation, model, parents, mentor, preacher, friend and even a companion.

Be that model, a noble Teacher!

I invite
@okere-blessing
@deelyt
@realitytrend

^{All pictures are taken with my phone itel A70}