Teaching is one of the noblest professions in the world that gives rise to all other elite professions like doctors, engineers, scholars, writers, journalists, businessmen, policemen, architects, entrepreneurs, judicial officers, administrators, prime ministers, presidents etc. Ideal teachers are the real architects’ that build, nurture and shape the generations. Their role in a society is always pivotal and diverse. They lay the foundation of every child strong and develop in them diverse life skills that help them to cope with a multitude of challenges in a society. In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), ideal teachers not merely rely on past traditional practices but use innovative ways, modern pedagogical methods and technological tools and platforms to instil discipline, values, and essential life skills in learners. Ideal teachers not only disseminate vast oceans of knowledge and information to the students but also act as guide, friend, counsellor and facilitator for students to understand their needs and nurture their individual talent and potential. They are real change makers in a society who inspire, mould, nurture, empower and prepare students to take the society to new heights by addressing societal issues and problems for the growth, development, peace and prosperity.
Preparing Good Human Beings: Ideal teachers consider students as their own son and daughters and create a congenial and inclusive learning environment for their effective teaching learning process. They not only emphasize academic excellence but also develop in students ethical, human and constitutional values, promote value based learning and inculcate a sense of social responsibility emphasized by NEP (National Education Policy) 2020. The values that ideal teachers develop in students are sympathy, empathy, honesty, love, respect, patience, tolerance, patience, compassion, selflessness, honesty, transparency, accountability, impartiality, dedication, hard work etc. These values make students good human beings for the welfare of family, society and environment. The contemporary society has been grappling with numerous challenges particularly corruption, crimes, suicides, thefts, robbery, drug addiction, environmental degradation, and collapse of moral values. However, lack of child responsibility and ownership by parents and teachers only adds to such societal challenges witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir for the last many years. Both parent and teacher are two sides of the same coin and have an equal role and responsibility for the child’s future. If either party or both fail to understand and perform their role and responsibilities in moulding, nurturing, upbringing and shaping a child, the child suffers and gets derailed from the right track who never differentiates right and wrong, good and bad. Such a child also gets involved in illegal activities that are against the norms and rules of a family, society and the country. Why our so-called modern society is facing challenges of all kinds, it is a bitter truth and fact that either one or both parties have ignored their role and responsibility in guiding, mentoring, counseling, supporting learners education, providing emotional support, and developing essential life skills in learners from time to time.
Environmental Ownership: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasizes teachers to integrate environmental education into teaching practices in view of soaring environmental issues like climate change, global warming, water crisis, pollution, encroachment, flash flood, desertification, drought, retreating of glaciers, etc. Ideal teachers always develop environmental consciousness and ethics in children right from their foundational stage. They warn students that if the carrying capacity of eco fragile areas is disturbed, the damage will be irreparable. Their teaching learning process is not confined to delivering lectures within four walls of classrooms but teaches students that our existence and livelihood depends on the environment so love nature, mother earth, adopt environmental friendly practices, reduce wastes, carbon footprint, save water bodies, wetlands, mountains, forests and plant more and more trees. Ideal teachers know the importance of a sustainable environment and they take ownership of the environment apart from school and child ownership. They conduct environmental awareness, initiatives, drives and practices in schools and society and collaborate with local communities to promote environmental awareness, conservation, protection and sustainability. Carrying the legacy of environmental awareness, conservation, and protection to save the environment for our existence and future generations is one of the qualities of the ideal teachers’ mission. Ideal teachers act as social and environmental activists and take up the matter of environmental issues with the administration for conservation and protection of the resources of the environment. They are not silent on destruction of natural resources by encroachers, illegal poachers, hunters, forest smugglers, illegal contractors etc. They respect laws of the land and are well-wishers of the environment and society.
“By fostering community engagement, ideal teachers create a collaborative environment that promotes holistic school development and improves educational outcomes. Every teacher should try to become an ideal and role model for students and society because the ideal teacher plays a key role in shaping, nurturing and grooming the future of the child by instilling social, moral , environmental values and 21st century skills. Let us hope and pledge to become an ideal teacher for the peace, progress and prosperity of the society.”
Holistic Development Of Students: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 focuses on holistic development of students in all respects. It includes development of essential life skills like critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, communication, collaboration and emotional intelligence to prepare them for the 21st century. Ideal teachers train students to convert challenges into opportunities. The goal 4 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030. Ideal teachers treat all children equally irrespective of caste, creed, colour, sex, religion, financial status, region etc. They create an inclusive learning environment for all learners and focus on their physical, mental, emotional and social development through collaborative efforts and activities. Ideal Teachers are strategic, meticulous, adaptable, reliable, and transparent. Their conducive and fun oriented learning in a stress free environment help learners to work together to solve problems, share ideas and learn from one another. Fun oriented learning activities and real life experiences of ideal teachers are important qualities of a twenty first century ideal teacher. Their Joyful learning activities in a joyful and stress free environment develop confidence and literary, learning and life skills in students to grow academically and face challenges of life. Teamwork of ideal teachers with students always foster creativity, critical thinking and problem solving.
Integration of Technology: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to transform the education system in India and to make India a hub of global knowledge, digital technology, and innovation. Technology integration in education is the powerful tool that plays a significant role in empowering students to learn, understand, and cater to diverse learning needs with unique abilities in order to thrive well in the 21st century. Ideal teachers leverage different digital platforms and technologies getting seamless access to nectar of knowledge, world-class content and resources and nurture learners with digital competencies in a joyful and interactive learning environment. It is also providing flexibility, increased student engagement and fostering a positive and motivating learning environment. Ideal teachers employ innovative strategies like virtual labs to clear students’ doubts and complex problems. Online assessment for students provides immediate feedback and identifies their weak areas for improvement. Ideal teachers also take professional development courses to keep themselves updated and upgraded with education advancements. They use game based learning that make the learning process more enjoyable, interesting and interactive particularly at foundational years. By leveraging technology and innovative teaching strategies, ideal teachers always create a transformative learning experience that prepares students for success in the 21st century. They are competent enough and working hard to update their knowledge and learn new technological skills for the welfare of students and society.
Fostering Community Engagement: Ideal teachers recognize the significance of community involvement in school development. By engaging community members and parents, they foster a sense of belonging, leading to tireless efforts for the welfare of schools. Involving community members in schools can generously contribute their valuable time and resources. They share their vast knowledge, expertise, and skills in various areas (arts, crafts, painting, career counselling, etc.) to students and teachers. They also provide land, funds, volunteer teachers, labourers’, and construction materials to schools. They participate in school activities, development works, and awareness programs. Involving community members and parents in schools yield numerous benefits particularly increased school enrolment, attendance, sense of belongings, reducing dropout rates, enhancing transparency and accountability, improving quality education, and social skills and outcomes among students. By fostering community engagement, ideal teachers create a collaborative environment that promotes holistic school development and improves educational outcomes. Every teacher should try to become an ideal and role model for students and society because the ideal teacher plays a key role in shaping, nurturing and grooming the future of the child by instilling social, moral , environmental values and 21st century skills. Let us hope and pledge to become an ideal teacher for the peace, progress and prosperity of the society.
(The author is a teacher at Govt Boys Higher Secondary School Beerwah, Budgam . The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Mushtaq Ahmad Wani
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