Teachers as a model character

The Teacher as a Model of Good Character

Since ancient times, teachers are recognized as exemplars of good character, attitude, and values. They
are keepers of values and traditions of different cultures around the world. Many people consider them
as prophets, spiritual leaders, and great mentors. For Christians, Jesus is the perfect kind of teacher and
leader to emulate. For the Chinese, the teachings and values of Confucius are always put in a very high
regard. The Prophet Muhammad is also the most influential teacher-leader for the Muslims. The life and
teachings of Buddha are also very influential among the Buddhists.Plato and Aristotle are regarded as
great teachers during their time in Greece. These model teachers used their good nature and character
to influence people. They stand on their principles and beliefs, and they faithfully perform their duties at
all times.

Currently, we still see many teachers exemplifying good values and character. In the
international scene, we see that many Nobel Laureates and Pulitzer Award Winners are teachers in
higher education. In the Philippines, some of the recipients of Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) and
Ten Outstanding Women in Nation's Service (TOWNS) are also teachers. Every year, we hear news about
outstanding teachers from basic education to tertiary education levels. There are also many teachers
who are exemplars of good character who remain doing their duties with humility and excellence. They
may have neither received any award nor recognition but still have excelled in their fields. They
continuously influence the lives of many students who came to learn under their care and they extend
their time to teach and touch the lives of their learners. They are good mentors and they are dedicated
professionals who work not for an award or recognition but for their passion to touch the lives and to
shape the future of their learners.

In many places, we also hear and read stories of successful individuals attributing their
successes in life due to the influence and nurturing character of great teachers. This simply shows that
amidst the ups and downs of teacher qualities, the society has never stopped producing great teachers
who continue to serve as models and molders for students across generations.

Reflection

The practical limits to any person or group’s expectations are determined by the person or the group
holding those expectations. As such, it is going to be impossible to ever be completely what other
people want teachers to be because there will always be people whose expectations include elements
that are deeply personal to them and to their sense of what is good, right, and beautiful.

There are clearly schools for students whose parents desire a specific religious orientation among the
teachers. They are not likely to hire anyone who does not share the same religious values as they expect
those values to be taught along with the rest of the curriculum. If they are of the opinion that a non-
believer cannot offer the same level of instruction, they are likely to hire only those who meet the
expectations of shared beliefs.

What people who teach should be expected to do, in my own worldview, is to never do anything that
violates the trust that students and their parents put in the teacher. Never means not even one time.
Students need to know that they can trust their teachers. Sometimes, we are the only adults that those
students know who are consistent and will act to support them through the turmoil that is their life.
They cannot fear that we will be violent or prey upon them in any fashion, ever. They have to know that
their safety and well being are our top priorities before they can trust us enough to learn from us.

Students often spend more time with their teachers than they spend with their parents. Whether the
teachers like it or not, students are studying them to find out what works and what doesn’t work in life.

As with any public figure, anything a teacher does will be evaluated as part of his or her fitness to teach.
If someone finds out about it, whatever the it may be, there will be people who question whether or not
that teacher should be allowed to continue teaching, no matter how isolated or indirectly related to
teaching that thing may be.

Parents are forced to trust teachers with the care of their students. They want to know that the teacher
is at least as good a person as the parent is if not a better person. A teacher who is dedicated to student
success, is knowledgeable of the subject matter, is an expert in teaching methods, and brings personal
and professional integrity to every interaction may fail to measure up to the expectations of never being
divorced, always attending church functions, having come from the right background, etc.

Role Models are people who set good examples by the words they speak and by the actions they take.
Role Models can be the people you know personally or people you have learned about in the news at
school or on television. Students tend to copy the behaviour and mannerism of the teachers. The
teachers entire personality is a reflection on the minds of the students.

TEACHERS’ CHARACTER :A flower in bloom is loved by all and in this lies its glory. Similarly, man may be
viewed as having achieved everything in life when he becomes perfect in character

TEACHERS’ PERSONALITY :Every teacher must have a good personality. Radiant, pleasing and impressive
personal appearance, refinement, pleasant manners, industry, enthusiasm, drive, initiative, open
mindedness

TEACHERS’ MENTAL HEALTH :A teacher with good mental health spreads: love, interest and enthusiasm
for learning and a taste in the subject he/she teaches.  A neurotic teacher may spread fear,
nervousness and worry in the classroom.

TEACHERS’ MENTAL HEALTH A fanatic-teacher may spread hatred, prejudice and hostile feelings among
the students.

TEACHERS’ PHYSICAL HEALTH  A teacher should possess a sound body along with a sound mind. SHe
should have a sound physical health, physical energy, vitality and she should be free from physical
defects. This will make him/her alert, cheerful, happy, dynamic and enthusiastic. SHe can maintain
emotional stability.

TEACHERS’ SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT  Respect for elders  Responsibility  Sense of Competition 

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS OF TEACHERS Teachers who consider their job as a profession, work only for pay
cheque. Their work is considered useful for their own sake.