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IN QUEST OF THE IDEAL TEACHER

Payam Shoghihttp://payamshoghi.com/

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General Insights…

EDUCATION

The most potent tool for bringing out man’s innate nobility

andeffecting a suitable transformation in

his conduct and character

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Education…

Current educational systems focus mainly on material progress

– A reflection of our materialistic approach to life –

Very little attention given to developing attitudes, core values

and spiritual principles.

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Education…

If society is to make meaningful progress. . .

. . . we need to rethink our understanding of education and its

aims and objectives.

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Education…

Defined as a creative process with a two-fold purpose:

• making people conscious subjects of their own growth

• active participants in the process of building an ever-advancing civilization.

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Education…

According this statement, Education: Is a never ending and ongoing process. Is a creative process requiring human

intervention; the teacher will always remain relevant to the process.

Must provide the tools for helping participants achieve personal growth and development.

Must result in collective ongoing progress of society. This objective of education is often neglected and undermined.

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Education…

Education must stimulate and train all aspects of human existence:

Material–skills and capabilities for physical, material and vocational progress.

Human–knowledge, vision and world-view.

Moral–Moral, ethical and spiritual values and principles.

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Characteristics of the new system of education being proposed

Content

• Integrated curriculum drawing from different disciplines.

• Unbiased, free from prejudice and extreme ideas of nationalism, religious fanaticism, etc.

• Adequately reflecting mankind’s unity in diversity.

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Characteristics of the new system of education being proposed

Method

• Providing students with observation and self-learning tools.

• Cooperative and participative learning.

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Characteristics of the new system of education being proposed

Promotes the skill of consultation for acquiring understanding and development of human affairs.

The dynamic force of example that the teacher sets for students. Great care and attention required for their training and orientation.

Enhances creativity and imagination.Relates learning to contemporary

issues.

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New Education. . .

Where do we begin with the implementation of these new

ideas?

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New Education. . .

Implementation can happen at different levels:

Policy makers. Educational administrators. General public (awareness).

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New Education. . .

TEACHERS• Best suited for implementing these

ideas. • By virtue of being in close contact

with students.• By re-orienting and training

students along a balanced path of material and spiritual training.

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New Education. . .

More than the great experts, economists, strategists and

thinkers of the world, the collective progress of mankind today depends on the diligence

and efforts of our

TEACHERS.

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The Ideal Teacher…

The Poor teacher tells The Good teacher explains The Superior teacher demonstratesThe Great teacher inspires.

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The Ideal Teacher…

Effectiveness comes from a constant commitment to one thing:

EXCELLENCE According to Aristotle:"We are what we repeatedly do.”

Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

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Consistency–Inconsistency on part of the teacher causes confusion among students.

Excellence–Aspire to achieve the highest possible standards in everything they do.

Self-Learning and Development–We stop growing the moment we stop learning.

Punctuality–Adds luster to one’s personality.

Patience–Necessary for understanding tricky situations and deciding on the response.

Five Habits of Effective Teachers

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THE IDEAL TEACHER Research indicates that the personality of a teacher is a key factor for success or failure. An ideal teacher:

Loves teaching. Is an expert in the subject(s) she/he teaches. Is well organized and well prepared.

Makes classroom sessions very interesting. Is prepared for the less interested students in class. Keeps everyone occupies in class. Motivates all students suitably. Is confident and therefore open to suggestions. Is consistent in the treatment of everyone. Is always fair and even tempered.

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Is friendly, approachable and has a good sense of humor.

Knows the students individually, their strengths and weaknesses, and follows their progress.

Communicates and listens well, including non-verbally. Notices and praises good behavior and performance. Is diligent with his/her assigned work. Follows instructions well.

Maintains neat and tidy classrooms. Does not ignore standards of speech, manner and

dress. Is punctual and arrives to class and other activities on

time.

THE IDEAL TEACHER. . .

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Avoids. . .

* Humiliating students. * Overreacting.

* Sarcasm. * Over-punishment.

* Anger. * Naming and shaming.

* Bearing a grudge.

THE IDEAL TEACHER. . .

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THE IDEAL TEACHER

A student-centric approach is desirable, but it is currently a myth. Everything we do is teacher-centric: seating in class, teaching methods and duration; assessment; assignments; enforcing discipline; etc.

Children are inherently born noble. Their environment makes them act and behave in a way that is not noble.

The work of a teacher is among the most difficult, challenging yet rewarding of all professions.

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GOLDEN RULES FOR SUCCESSFUL TEACHERS

Regards teaching mainly as an act of service.

Be loved by students without trying to be popular with them.

Praise in public, admonish in private.

Give positive attention.

Don’t discuss student-matters among yourselves. Earn their trust.

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TEACHER-THE TEAM PLAYER

WHAT IS A TEAM?

An Effective Team consists of a small number of individuals

who consult, interact and work together as a united and cohesive group, for

achieving a common set of goals.

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TEACHER-THE TEAM PLAYER

CHARACTERESTICS OF A TEAM

• Action and interactions are guided by professional, institutional and moral principles.

• High level of interdependence exists among team-members.

• Each member is wholeheartedly committed to fulfilling its common mission.

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TEACHER-THE TEAM PLAYER

QUALITIES DESIRED AMONG TEAM-MEMBERS

• Loyalty• Reliability• Responsibility• Caring• Trust• Integrity

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TEACHER-THE TEAM PLAYER

THE BANE OF A SUCCESSFUL TEAM

• Back-Biting and Gossiping• Constant Fault-Finding• Vicious Criticism• Mistrust• Apathy• Competition

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TEACHER-THE TEAM PLAYER

ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE TEAM CULTURE

• Always remains focused on its goals.

• Free and open communications.

• Controlling conflict-prone behavior.

• Keeping team-members motivated.

• Expression of ethical values: Honesty, Fairness, Respect, Transparency, Empathy.

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TEACHER-THE TEAM PLAYER

THE MIRACLE OF A MOTIVATED AND EFFECTIVE TEAM

• Can meet any challenge.• Can solve any problem.• Can prevent conflicts, and

resolve them with ease when they occur.

• Results in institutional progress.

• Results in professional progress.

• Results in personal growth.

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THE IDEAL TEACHER

OTHER CONSIDERATIOINS

• Ongoing learning and self-development.

• A professional approach.• Self-motivation (intrinsic

motivation)• Motivating students.• Adopting modern

teaching/learning methodologies.

• Learning styles.• Etc.