by Carmen Gonzalez

Created on: March 22, 2010

For many years I have been teaching English as a second language to university and high school students. I began lecturing at a private university and, after years of frustration for not having the opportunity to advance professionally, I later decided to look for a teaching job at a public school. During all that time I have met several excellent teachers and some others who are considered by my to be in the wrong field. I certainly agree that lots of students nowadays do not appreciate the hard work of the average teacher. They take for granted all the years they spend in school wrongly thinking that education is totally useless and not necessary. Others not only lack the appreciation, but also disrespect the authority of the educator in so many ways. Very often they act like that because they simply do not care much for their future or they are ignorant and immature. Other times students have this attitude due to the fact that the experience had at school has not been the greatest.

Through the years I have worked alongside with educators who strive to do their best teaching with passion and expertize. These are the ones who struggle daily with the students' resistance in order to deliver a superb level of education. They are teachers who educate because they feel like it and they want to make a difference in these students' lives. They are the professionals who are constantly trying to improve their methodology and bring something new and exciting to the classroom. They stand up in front of the group eager to make a positive change and to be the best role models they can be. These are the teachers every student should have. I remember some teachers like these who helped me turn into what I am today. Colorful and cheerful characters these teachers were. They made learning fun and worthwhile. Students liked them and enjoyed taking their classes.

In a fast paced world like today's it is imperative for every single teacher to attempt to be like that. Students test their teachers and they judge them mostly for how competent, interesting, and caring they are. They notice easily when a teacher cares for his students as well as for his or her professionalism. A teacher must be efficient, convincing, and also competitive. There are just so many attractive alternatives for youngsters today. Every student is faced with various options in life. Education should be the first and most important choice in life for a student. A good teacher should know how to stress this while catching the attention of the students using an adequate approach.

On the other hand, I have known educators who do not have what it takes to be  good teachers. Several times you encounter a teacher who is always complaining about the school, fellow teachers, students and the system itself. They are often in a bad mood. Students note it and, even when they respect them, they do not create a bond with them. Other just lack the qualities that cast a good teacher. Maybe they have become bored or frustrated. The reality is that a teacher must encourage students, and one who is not encouraged cannot motivate others. Students take notice of this. With time, a kid who has had incompetent, disinterested teachers , will become less interested in school and more prone to criticise it until the point where it is no longer a priority to attend school.

Sadly many competent teachers are blamed for the high number of kids who drop out of school. The role of the educator keeps on getting harder each day and we must give the best we can as guides and friends to maintain students interested in school and out of the streets.

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