Beyond the Blackboard

Teachers: Living Lessons, Character in Action

Photo by Sir. Simo on Unsplash

A teacher has a special role in a student’s life. As such, the teachers build a student’s character, confidence, and future beyond textbook lessons and classroom instructions. The effects of teachers may transcend academic achievement, sort of carving their pathway in the lives of adulthood.

First and foremost, teachers are guardians of knowledge. They reveal to students new ideas, points of view, and approaches. They teach how to think critically and solve problems, all of which are rare skills in a world full of distractions and misinformation, where the thirst for knowledge is diminished. A teacher delivers knowledge but can inspire curiosity to stir within the student. Such intellect has defined a learner's academic pathway and sometimes career pathway. A math teacher delivering tough concepts clearly may stimulate passion for engineering, while an English teacher giving life to literature may inspire a student to be a writer or journalist.

But the power of an educator is not limited to the classroom. Educators are often role models. Their attitude, mode of behavior, and values whisper loudly about important lessons for life. A tolerant, patient, and ethical teacher illustrates the importance of these values to the students. Students, especially children, observe and emulate…