14 November 2006
“A teacher is better than two books” (German Proverb). She/he does not just transfer knowledge to students but makes knowledge be evidence and, at the same time, is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others. Teacher is the soul of education.
Today’s schools face enormous challenges. In response to an increasingly complex society and a rapidly changing technology, schools are being asked to educate the most diverse students to higher academic standards than ever before. So, what does a teacher need to teach to all students according to today’s standards?
As the soul of education, there are several points a teacher has to do. A teacher has to be master in teaching material. This can be obtained through training, reference books, self study, internet, team work and also choosing the right methods of teaching.
In the learning process, she/he has to make hard material easy to understand. Of course, that thing cannot just so happen easily without a good strategy.
So, good impression in teaching can be achieved if teacher has a good preparation like lesson plan, clear objectives of teaching, right methods, test bank and key answer. Certainly, it would be going well if the class is under teacher’s control and if, at the same time, the latter shows high respect to students.
To make studying process effective, the teacher must maintain the team work. At this point she/he should arrange that students of the same level get the same material. Then, for evaluation, she/he must have the same standard to get students of high quality. Besides, checking daily test, homework and its return to students as soon as possible, finding better solution for lagging students, communicating with parents by asking counselor’s and principal’s assistance, providing remedial and enrichment programs for students, these all are parts of teacher’s daily life.
The main point for a teacher is high discipline. In this case, she/he needs to have a strong commitment to produce work of quality and a special sense of belonging.
Writer: Mr. Pius Bwariat (Former Chairman of Foundation)