PREDICTING TEACHER’S SUCCESS
From the dawn of history, each social group has passed on its accumulation of beliefs, practices, and institutions to its children, who, in turn, have passed on this heritage to their children. At first the process was simple. Children acquired many knowledges and skills through the process of inter learning or coming directly into contact with other members of the group. As conditions changed, however, life demands become more intricate and complex. Changing social, political and industrial conditions led to specialized activities and more complicated forms of social cooperation. The result of all the changes, which consumed centuries of times, was that parents came to have little time to devote to their children; furthermore, their lack of adequate training made them unfit to guide their children in a more complex environment. The final outcome was the establishment of schools and the selection of specially trained individuals as teachers.
When we talk about specially trained individuals, the question arises as what should be the criteria of selection of these trained individuals as teachers. In the past, the most intelligent individuals were supposed to be the best teachers. Native capacity and academic success were thought to be the primary qualifications. Later researches report that qualities other than intelligence also determine the success of a teacher. Factors like leadership. Social imagination, social adjustment, assurance, earnestness, and breadth of culture also plays important role in the success.
Following are the predictive characteristics which plays an important role in teacher’s success:
Good physique, excellent health, power of endurance and sustained effort, resistance to fatigue and stamina should the primary characteristic of a teacher. The person who is exhausted, unhealthy becomes grouchy, unhappy and unsatisfied as a teacher.
There is a notion that one who “likes to teach” will be a successful teacher, but it is important to answer few questions related to this. Does the candidate like to work and play with children? Does she like to plan with them and for them? Does she get satisfaction out of seeing them grow and develop? Does her/his interest seem to be growing rather than fading? If the candidate answers these questions in the affirmative, the probabilities to succeed in this profession is much higher.
Wholehearted participation in one or more extracurricular activities- such participation brings the teacher into closer touch and cooperation with others; provides a splendid opportunity for learning the likes, interest and talents of others.
Ethical Character- the teacher whose conduct is always beyond reproach and whose life and deeds are examples of service is the kind of person that good parents want their children to emulate. No individual should consider teaching as a career unless s/he possesses good character.
The good teacher knows what her/his goals are and how children can be changed for the better. With sound judgement, s/he selects the curricular materials and methods that yield the best results. The endurance and determination proves to be assets to the individual in her capacity as a teacher.
Balanced Control of Action- teachers deal with young, growing minds that are susceptible to every influence, and of all forces that shape children for better or ill, personality is the most important. An irritable, fault-finding teacher brings out the worst in children, whereas an even tempered, kindly and considerate teacher brings out the best. The prospective teacher should have the power of self-control, A spirit of willing cooperation, and a wholesome respect for all others.
Continued Growth- continuous updating yourself is the key to master in this profession. Updating knowledge, skills through various platforms is important part of teaching profession. A teacher should earnestly seek to learn better procedures and methods of teaching through reflecting upon the teaching practices is important to excel.
In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “A teacher who establishes rapport with the taught, becomes one with them, learns more from them than he teaches them. He who learns nothing from his disciples is, in my opinion, worthless. Whenever I talk with someone, I learn from him. I take from him more than I give him.”
To conclude, it can be said that one can predict a Teacher’s Success. A successful teacher is energetic, enthusiastic, industrious and resourceful with effective personality. s/he is guided with a working philosophy of Education. An effective teacher will never “stand still” in her profession rather will leave no stone unturned to reach heights in this profession.
Dr. Bhavna Joshi, Assistant Professor, JIE, JEMTEC
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