by Mariel

Created on: February 03, 2009   Last Updated: March 17, 2009

Being a teacher is never an easy task. As a University teacher, you have to produce a perfect example of what a professional should be, look, act, think, behave like in your particular profession or area; if you are good at what you do, then you will have a flock of students following you around, just like ducklings follow their parents around. Of course, if you are not good at it, then you will have several potentially successful students seeking elsewhere and probably failing miserably in their own careers.

Being a teacher means that you have to work a bit more than the rest of the professionals, surely they do have to work a lot of out-of-office hours, but while their work is done and their attitude is the correct one, they will have the leniency of the anonymity in their personal and private life. Something that University teachers, and for that matter, any teacher lacks of, our role as ethical models for our students must come first and therefore, we have to be able to keep the good work and set a proper example in every aspect and area of our life.

Nonetheless, the benefits and rewards that you experience as a teacher when your students approach you seeking for guidance or to share their own success stories thanks to what you taught them, makes all the problems, the sleepless nights and the lack of anonymity all worth it for the benefit of the students.

Many fellow teachers complain about the teaching guidelines that are given each semester or year by University authorities, while I am upset too most of the times because as a professional with over 20 years experience, I realize that in most cases, the guidelines will leave at best- a mildly prepared working out professional. In such cases, the importance of taking that extra step or doing your teaching job just a little better or more thorough becomes more evident. As a University teacher with an ethic conscience and the eagerness to release into the professional world students that are adequately prepared for it, you need to be able to provide them with all the knowledge that comes from the guides, with the additional side dish of reality and actually working savvy.

It is never easy. Though once you learn the right way to your student's hearts and minds then the process becomes not only enjoyable but an important part of your life and the rewards you get will be there for the rest of your existence.

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