An Ideal Teacher

Another point of view

The questions concerning human nature, character and behaviour, have always been rather difficult. Years of research and experimentation, old and new hypotheses, different points of view, various approaches, have all played a part in the endless search for an Ideal Teacher.

Annually, thousands of young enthusiasts, young and energetic, fill schools with themselves and with unflinching confidence in their destination to win the desired title.

However, the turning point is passed, the dreams are far behind: you are at school – just the time to start your attempts. What do they expect of you? What do they want? What do they like? (It should be mentioned, there exist at least three basic images of the notorious Ideal Teacher. The first is too specific and greatly changeable – the one of parents; the two others are diametrically opposite – those of teachers and pupils, respectively. By putting the question the way you did, the latter was automatically chosen.) At the first lesson students would like nothing more than doing nothing. And no homework – undoubtedly! It is the first time – why not gladden them? So happy do they look!

At the second lesson be extremely careful: do not destroy what you have already achieved. Disappointment at this stage is very painful. Shut your eyes to mistakes (“She’s always seizing on me, mom!”), use only “spoken” marks. Neither boredom nor cramming. Do they like you now?

Unfortunately, you are to test them from time to time. But do not conduct a test after the first time you introduced a topic (the evening they start the preparation is too little!), and do not be too strict during the process. The best occupation for you now is filing the register in, or checking something, or (the best alternative) going to the headmaster. If possible, do not pay too much attention to rustles, whispers, unnatural motions, snickers, and suspicious smiles. From past experience it is known: the wider a smile, the better the results.

So, your classes are popular, there is no tension, the atmosphere is easy. Aren’t you an Ideal Teacher?