The Teacher is the Light of the World!
Philosophically, Plato made a remarkable declaration in the Republic that the existence of a dignified and progressive society can only happen with the power of education. Great teachers like Socrates, Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas emerged as pillars that led to Europe's rennaissance and enlightenment. Above all, their contribution to education as lovers of wisdom remained an eternal flame for the vocation of every teachers. What makes teaching, noble and a great profession? What makes our teachers, the light of the world? How can I become one?
An ideal teacher is a true builder of the nation. He is unafraid, genuine and serious in the discharge of his duties towards the students and the nation as a whole These days, students do not like to study from harsh and unsympathetic teachers. A teacher creates confidence in his students such that they are always ready to sacrifice for the cause of their teaching. Similarly, I should learn how to share my talents, treasures and time for others by joining school activities and other organizations that promotes civil and communitarian welfare.
An ideal teacher searches for true knowledge. He is mostly after the latest information and researches on various subjects. He goes through the journals and magazines to keep himself well-informed and to give up-to-date knowledge to his students. He treats the library of his school or college as a temple of knowledge. He has the art to understand the difficulties of students and would come down to their level with compassion and sympathy. He always tries to be regular and punctual to set an example before his students. Time is money for an ideal teacher who thinks that loss of a second means loss of hundreds of minutes to the nation. In the same way, I must develop the love for knowledge and take every opportunity to learn by reading books and magazines, doing research, attending workshops and seminars, and surfing the internet.
The teacher is the axle in education. He never allows his students to be idle or undisciplined. The vastness of his knowledge deeply impresses every student, but an ideal teacher is never proud of it. In fact, ideal teachers never get retired since, with age, their depth of information and knowledge goes on increasing. They always remain a source of knowledge and guidance. In the same context, I should set a good example to others by attending classes on time and regularly and submitting requirements based on the guidelines provided. Participating in class discussions and group works is of great help to me.
An ideal teacher imparts emotional and moral perspectives to the student. He has a flexible approach to things. He understands the deep senses of understanding of the mind of the student. By creating humorous situation, he makes lively his classes. The students and the teacher should have homely relationship with one another The ideal teacher takes genuine interest in his students. He teaches students so that they will be able to appear confident in the midst of competitive situations. It is the teacher who can surge the standard of education to greater heights.
A teacher sows the seeds of knowledge in the mind of the taught. The fertilizer is the unbowed experience he acquires over a period of time. Like a doctor, the teacher treats the illness of ignorance. The pupil's illness is ignorance. Ignorance is darkness in the mind. This darkness has to be taken out by imparting knowledge. Knowledge is light. It drives away ignorance from the mind of the people. The sun obliterates darkness in the night. Likewise, knowledge wipes out darkness from the mind. A suitably qualified teacher is like a searchlight that removes darkness completely from the mind of the pupil. A teacher should help the pupil in developing an all-round personality.
Teachers are builders of nation and light of the world. A nation's upheaval may be attributable on teachers who failed to function as light of the world. From the standard of education, the progress of the nation is determined. It all depends on the teacher. A nation with a high index of education can become light to the rest of the world. The darkness in the mind escapes as soon as knowledge dheds its bright light in the mind. Onc can remove the hunger from the stomach by feeding it, but that is a temporary step. Sense of responsibility should be developed in the student. That comes naturally from within, where the student is afreshed with respect and listened to by the teacher. Correspondingly, I need a change in the heart and the mind. Some may be of the opinion that freedom given to children to express themselves might be misused by them and chaos may prevail. But, I should be mindful that freedom means space for the child to express himself without fear, to ask question to spare his problems.
Finally, it has been my desire to be a teacher and to become an ideal one is a difficult task to carry. The qualities mentioned above would only remain words, if not lived and practiced on every opportunity that comes along the way. I believe that being a cathechist is a concrete and effective way to achieve the ideals of a good teacher, and by my stepping stones toward the humble space where a teacher belongs - in the noble pedestal of learning and sharing knowledge to others.
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