by Narnie

Created on: June 10, 2010

I believe that the “self-trained” teacher has much more to offer his/her students overall. Self-training in any particular field, especially teachers, is in more cases than not is borne of some passionate need; one may have been deprived of in their own lives. Many people in this situation accumulate such a diverse array of knowledge and skills during their lifetime and the “passionate” quality usually surpasses that of those in formal training to teach others.

University degrees are great; however, no university degree can encompass and equip teachers with skills ready to meet all kids from diverse intellectual, religious and cultural backgrounds. We learn how others learn mostly through our own experiences through the journey of life. University as with formal institutionalized education environments must adhere to a strict and structured program of teaching for up-coming teachers that will go on to enter the workplace. The teachers who succeed and find work in our schools will teach our kids in a rather “methodic” style and will I believe lack one of the most important elements of teaching; flexibility and compassion.  Gifts usually only found when one is given the opportunity of being a real part of the “learning” system initially. There is more to teaching than just having sound academic knowledge. The most fundamental element of a successful learner will be the personal relationship they have with their teacher. Sadly, something that is disappearing at an alarming rate in today’s teaching society.

For most children, even adult students, have a basic need for “relationship values” with their teacher. I am aware this can pose problems as it has done in the past and in many ways we as teachers are caught between a rock and a hard place. However, this does not eliminate the fact that the “student/teacher relationship” must be solid. This is where I see the most significant difference begin to appear between the “trained” teacher and the “self-trained teacher”. Trained teachers seemingly assume their role in their student’s lives as achieving only one result within the framework of education; academic results or a pass. Self-trained teachers will more readily recognize, identify and build upon the more “human” qualities and specialties of the learner. The reason self-trained teachers are able to do this is mostly because they themselves

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