The teacher is no longer the holder of all knowledge. They are to be facilitators in today's classroom. They are to guide students to learning and understanding.
Yeah, we know how many times have we heard that before.
I believe all of this talk stems from the multiple intelligence theory of Howard Gardner. I believe there is definitely some validity to the idea that human beings learn differently. However there is wrong answers.
It is not true to say that there are no right or wrong answers, ... there are wrong answers!!!
Ultimately we learn through experience. We are building upon prior knowledge or scaffolding our knowledge to reach new understanding.
So the role of the teacher in all of this...
Well the teacher has to play many roles and to complicate it even more those roles change with schools and grades.
I really wish that I could just list out the different roles teachers had to play but like life... it's not that simple!
Depending on your situation you may play many roles
- teacher
- counselor
- coach
- cop (falls under classroom management)
- mentor
- actor
- friend (should always remain professional or don't "hangout" with students)
- role model
- caregiver (for some students you are the only one who does care)
- advisor
- ticketmaster
There are many teachers out there with the attitude that look like
"I never asked to be a role model and I am not my students friend I am their teacher"
The fact is that as teachers we are responsible for more than what our students learn. Teachers need to embrace these roles rather than reject and protest this kind of relationship.
Take the time to show your students that you care about them. Too many of American students have the attitude that no one cares about them. PROVE THEM WRONG!
I guarantee that your students will try harder in your class if they believe you care. Teaching is not just teaching it is so much more.
