Teacher’s Day: 4 things we don’t want our teachers to do

As we celebrate another Teacher’s Day and pay homage to our teachers, there are some whom we will never forget. Not because they were good to us and nurtured us but exactly the opposite. Teachers play an extremely critical role in the development of children as they spend most of their formative years in school. Though parents may teach them the good and the bad, the right and the wrong, teachers instil many values in them as well.

In this scenario, here’s a look at four things we don’t want our teachers to be or do.

Stop picking on that child!
Some teachers have the annoying habit of constantly picking on one or two children in class. But do they realise it affects the child’s self-worth and social skills? Being ridiculed in front of the class eventually affects the child’s psyche far more than we realised.

Don’t complain about your colleagues
When a teacher walks into the classroom and starts mouthing off about another teacher, what does it say about that person? Teachers are usually looked up to by students. Talking badly about your colleague teaches students that it’s okay to disrespect and bad-mouth other people. Is this what you want your students to remember you for?

Don’t muzzle the student
If there’s a student who questions you, have the wisdom and understanding to deal with him/her in a patient manner. Responding to the student with ‘Don’t talk back to me’ or ‘Don’t question me’ or ‘Just do what I tell you’ isn’t an appropriate answer. Young minds question, are curious and want to know why all the time. It’s up to the teacher to develop and open up young mind rather than shut them down.

Don't resort to violence
Despite the fact that corporal punishment in schools is a crime, some teachers continue to engage in this. Detention is acceptable but slapping, pinching, hitting and anything else resulting in physical abuse is a crime. Physical abuse of any kind doesn’t fall anywhere in the category of ‘discipline’.