TEFL Augusta Kansas

There are many roles that one will embrace when taking on a career in teaching. Most commonly, they are there to teach students; to build the foundations of learning and enhance student abilities, but this is just the very tip of what a teacher does on a regular basis. Through teacher observation and my own personal experiences in and in front of classrooms I have gathered what I feel to be some of the most noteworthy roles a teacher has; • Being a role model • Moulding relationships and a rapport with students whilst maintaining professionalism. • Being passionate A career in teaching is not suited for everyone; you cannot switch off your ‘teacher' cap, so to speak. But, it is such a rewarding sentiment to know that you are doing something that may have a positive effect on even one life. That alone is worth more than its weight in gold. “Why don't we teach our children in school what they are? We should say to them, ‘You are unique... you have the capacity for anything. You are a marvel.” - Charles Handy At any age, we are looking for inspiration, from books, music, places or people. Throughout the years, the people you meet will either slowly fade from your mind, or make such an impression on you that you will find yourself using some advice they may have given you, or an action they did. Good teachers very much fall into the latter category; they take on that responsibility of being a role model to their students. They are there when a student needs guidance and inspiration; they are able to get students to think about their future potential by sharing experiences and encouraging students to try and to be proud of their achievements. Having great rapport with students can work favourably for teachers; as long as they can maintain that ‘teacher-student' relationship and not overstep the mark by becoming more of a friend than a mentor. By providing a comfortable learning environment, students will be more likely to interact in a positive manner toward their teachers. However, you do not want to seem like your classroom is a place to just sit back and relax; maintaining a sense of leadership and authority amongst students is important, as students are there firstly to learn. This will ensure the teachers' respect for students is reciprocated, encouraging them to work hard and be happy whilst doing so! “(Great teachers) have the ability to know when to extend and stand back…appreciate that learning isn't always fun. A good teacher knows when to push' – John Langley –NZ teachers' Registration Board. Being passionate about teaching is important. As teaching can be full of sacrifices and overtime, you need to be able to have the drive and focus, to put in the extra mile to achieve the most for your students. Your passion will resonate with them and make for a great working class. My mother, who has been teaching a little over two decades, is a great example of a teacher with passion. As far back as I can remember, she has stayed at school after hours, to prepare her room for the next day's lesson. Her sense of work ethic is captivated around her classroom; the walls are covered with colour and lively student's work. She is not one to admit that she has spent her fair share of time and money on her students; but that is what makes her so inspiring. She asks for nothing in return, but her students to succeed and do well. Her commitment to her job and students over the years is amazing; i see signs of this when an old student will contact her, or come to visit her and thank her for all of the wonderful things she taught them while they were in her class at school. The wonder is how she manages to maintain the same passion for teaching, even after all these years. Personally, if I become half the successful teacher my mother is, I will be very satisfied indeed. Overall, being a teacher is no easy feat; they are leaders in their own right and are there to teach and inspire students to achieve their goals. Students can turn to a great teacher for guidance and motivation. Having a great relationship with their students is ideal for a teacher and makes for a comfortable environment to teach and learn in. They definitely need to have a passion for what they do; going that extra mile is paramount; and a great teacher will go there every time, in a heartbeat. Acknowledgements: -www.leading-learning.co.nz: ‘Educational Quotes for the 21st Century', -www.leading-learning.co.nz: ‘Leading and Learning for the 21st Century', (Online Newsletter, Vol.1 No.6)