Being a teacher has always been my dream because of my passion for teaching young ones and inspiring them to become who they want to become. I believe teachers are not just the pivot of any educational institute but they are nation builders and the future of the young ones solely depends on them. Also, I realize that the success of a teaching-learning process is a determinant of how the teacher has made the lesson exciting and amazing. Let us know ‘What Inspired You to be a Teacher?’.
What Inspired You to be a Teacher?
I was inspired to be a teacher when I failed my first term examination and my Science teachers set me on a new path of academic success. During the second term, Mr. John and Mrs. Wilson were employed at Maryland International School and their disciplines are mathematics and chemistry respectively. These teachers are the most amazing teachers I have met all my life, they created an atmosphere of learning for everyone to learn excitingly. My first breakthrough came when I had 15 points out of 20 in my first assessment and my exams were a blast. I had A’s and B’s in my science subjects. Also, my teachers motivated me to be myself, and to dare to be successful against all odds.
An interview with Miss Corina:
My Biology and Chemistry teachers inspired me to be a teacher, and I gained admission into Maryland High School. As a fresh student with so much expectation, I was ready for the task ahead of me coupled with my SMART goals written down. But I got carried away with school activities, I was influenced by bad friends, my teachers did not have much time for me, maybe I was too stubborn to listen, and I failed in my first term, especially in science courses. I have very poor grades in mathematics and chemistry, F and F respectively. After getting my result, I got an email that the school had scheduled My parents and me for a meeting with the school academic affairs board. The result of the meeting was that if I cannot cope with science subjects in the present term, I will exit my department. So, I resumed the term with a neutral position, and no goal, I just wanted to have C’s and D’s in my science courses. So, I resumed and one fateful morning, after two weeks of resumption, Mr. John and Mrs. Wilson were introduced as the new teachers for mathematics and chemistry.
My academics turned a new dimension when they began to teach me. Mr. John is so good at simplifying complex mathematical questions into a simple and easy way to approach the questions.
However, Mrs.Wilson’s teaching is second to none, it’s like her lesson period always passes within a split second, she made learning fun, interesting and exciting, making me see chemistry in another new light.
Also, in terms of becoming who I am, my teachers motivated and inspired me to become the best I can ever be, he always motivates us in the classroom and whenever he gives us difficult questions, he always motivates us to attempt, emphasizing the fact that “you won’t know you can do it until you attempt”. Therefore, he made us believe in ourselves to be our best selves.
An interview with Mr. Sam:
My French teacher inspired me to be a teacher. As a young girl in my first year in high school, I hated French, so when French was introduced into the curriculum, my heart was shattered. I zeroed in my mind that I will fail French and since it is not my core subject, I don’t have a business with it when I gain admission into college. Mrs. Grace entered our class that morning with an aura and charm that amazed me. She introduced the subject funnily and amazingly. She has this sense of humor that makes everyone like her, her disposition, charisma made me like the subject. She carried everyone along in her class and since then, I fell in love with French and teaching. The next class was beautiful when she started teaching us some basic words in French, they are things I have learned in primary school but she has a different way of speaking and teaching that made it interesting and amazing.
Mrs. Grace was also a motivator and she inspires us to believe in ourselves and not listen to the voices that tell us we cannot. She made me see life differently by making me have the realization that it is okay to be fearful and it is okay to doubt my abilities sometimes, but I should dare to do it anyway! Go after my dream and live purposefully.
She inspired me to be a teacher because she not only influenced me but influenced everyone in her class. At the end of the term, no one had a grade lower than B in French despite her strict marking scheme.
Also, she inspired me to dress and beautifully carry myself as a teacher. She has all the traits that make a great teacher, and also made me understand that teaching is not about being strict and difficult to understand but it is about being principled yet friendly with students and being mindful of them. And creating a positive learning environment that every student can feel secure, safe, and relevant
The Trait of a Good Teacher:
Some traits differentiate a good teacher from the bad one and those traits reflect in their output. The following additions to the trait of a good teacher:-
- They demonstrate confidence and instill confidence in students: Demonstrate confidence in the classroom and also instill confidence in your students by making them see that you believe in them and encourage them to expand their knowledge.
- They understand students’ motivation: Motivate and inspire your students to be the best of themselves. Some students grow up in families where their parents do not see any good in them, encouraging the students and motivating them will bridge that gap
- They are true leaders: Teachers are leaders and must possess the quality of a leader. A leader does not build followers but builds people who can be leaders themselves.
- They are experienced: Experience in your subject content and also life situations, traveling will make you different from the one who does not have experience.
- They are human and not heroes: Teachers are human and they should be human! That is, you have strengths and weaknesses in you. You are not a superhero that cannot make mistakes.
- They are technologically inclined: Tech has made teaching and learning effective and efficient.
- Effective classroom management: Classroom management is one of the key traits of a good teacher. You should be able to control and manage the classroom by building principles that every student must abide by. This instills discipline in the students.
- They can communicate and express themselves: communication is key and it must be expressed effectively in a learning environment. There is a difference between having a deep knowledge of the subject content and communicating it in a simple, systematic way and simplifying difficult concepts.
How to be a Teacher that Leaves a Significant Impact on Students?
Influence and impact are what make you a teacher and until you have fulfilled that purpose, you are not a true teacher. ” When the purpose of a thing is not known, the abuse is inevitable”. Your purpose as a teacher is to influence lives and motivate students to be the best they can be regardless of their fears and inner demons that say they can not. The following are ways you can be relevant and significant in your teaching career
- Understand your students and instill confidence in them
- Create an atmosphere of relevance for every student
- Make your teaching student-oriented
- Explain subject content in a systematic way
- Encourage and appreciate them
- Carry an aura of love and charisma that attracts your students and makes them love you
- Motivate them, make them see that you believe in them and they should also believe in themselves.
Importance of Inspiring Students:
- It makes them believe in themselves
- It makes them perceive you as a shoulder they can lean on
- It gives you a sense of fulfillment
- It helps students to have a success mindset irrespective of the odds against them
- It makes them grow in all areas of life.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, you are only successful in your teaching career until you have influenced at least one student and a student can remember you one day and boldly say, my teacher has a positive influence on me. Being successful in your teaching career is not about the money you earn, it is not about the number of cars you have and it is not about establishing schools. It is about making an impact, inspiring students, and motivating them to live their best life.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Why should I inspire my students as a teacher?
- You should inspire your students because your inspiration and motivation go a long way in the way they perceive themselves, their belief in themselves, and who they become.
- How do I inspire my students?
- Create an atmosphere of relevance for every student
- Make your teaching student-oriented
- Encourage and appreciate them
- Explain subject content in a systematic way
- What is the importance of inspiring students?
- It makes them believe in themselves
- It makes them perceive you as a shoulder they can lean on
- It gives you a sense of fulfillment Let’s see
