5 ways to earn students' respect (How to be an excellent teacher)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46527925@N04/

As education students, we were trained to really prepare especially during  the first day of class.  Our professor warned us that students’ first impression would define your standing as a teacher.  After teaching for many years, I still believe in this principle.  When I became a principal, I also advised my new teachers to do the same especially in being gentle but firm.  Gentleness should not be mistaken as weakness.  Once students see this they might use it against the teacher.

I remember a brother in the early 60s.  He was a new and young brother who was assigned to the high school boys department.   On his first day in school, he noticed that students were very noisy.  One student caught his attention. May be this student was the toughest in class.  Without a word, this brother grabbed this student, pushed him up against the wall, and screamed at him.

That was all!  Beginning that day until this brother retired, he was feared by the students.  The moment this brother entered in any classroom you could hardly hear any sound from the sudents.  Surely, this can’t be possible nowadays.

Here are the 5 effective ways to gain students’ respect.

1. Be a person of integrity.  Students will believe in you if you are honest and true to your words and actions

2. Be compassionate.  Compassion is charity in action.  Students love their teacher who is caring, understanding and loving.

3. Be a trusted leader.  First, show to them that you are their leader.  Students look up to their idols.  You should be their model.  Lead them to be leaders.  Students are good followers but are also excited to be given the chance to lead.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/93393982@N00/

4. Be a model of excellence.   Students are fascinated with the intelligence of their teachers.  They watch every move of the teacher.  When teachers perform during school program, be it a song or dance, students are so entertained.  They like seeing their teachers excel in anything they do.

5. Be human.  I consider this trait the most important of all.  You ask anybody about their favorite teacher.  Usually, it is the teacher who is very human- a teacher who shows unconditional care and love.

There might be other traits or techniques that would make students respect more their teacher but in my experience the aforementioned ones stood out as really effective.  This is how to be a teacher.

May your dreams be blessed.

Randy T

Why I love teaching in the Sunday College Program?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26406919@N00/

Six years ago, our school offered a Sunday College Program.  The vision of the school for doing it was to provide opportunities for students who cannot afford the tuition fees offered in the regular college program.  Moreover, the school with its core value of compassion would like to provide opportunities for those working young people who only have weekends to possibly go to school.

That was six years ago.  Today, even the high school and grade school classrooms are being used by the Sunday College students.  Many young and not so young people are enjoying this opportunity to earn a college degree while working during weekdays.

I had the opportunity to teach in this program.  Wow!  It was my first time to teach that I was so inspired doing it.  It doesn't mean I am not anymore inspired teaching.  Teaching remains my passion.  But I was much inspired when I taught in the college program.  Why?  I had observed the passion of students to learn.  When I talked, they really listened.  Curious about my experience, I asked other teachers if they have the same experience.  The answer was a resounding YES.

Teachers love the students. In this program students are more interested compared to our regular students.  They are very active in class. In short, they are very serious. They are hungry for knowledge.  They are desperate.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28035080@N04/

I also discovered  in one of my activities that these students have a very clear goals.  They always say, "I work so hard during weekdays to support my studies.  I don't want to remain very poor.  I would like to help my family."

On the other hand, they put their hearts into their studies because they use their own money to pay for their tuition and other fees.  In other words, they value their money.  This is one thing I consider different from a regular college students who have the luxury of their parents' support.

In real life, their attitudes should be emulated.  Determination to succeed, considering your limitations and sacrifices, should motivate us to be more serious in what we are doing.

As a teacher, I find it very interesting being with these students and be part of their journey. I see my teaching career having more meaning at all.  This is the price of having an education job, being a teacher.

That's why I love teaching in the Sunday College Program of our school.  If you are a teacher, try teaching in this kind of program and you will be inspired like me.

May your dreams be blessed.

Randy T.