Teaching is a kind of profession that many can do but a few can commit to. Dedication in a career like this cannot sufficed by longevity of service nor IQ. One has to possess things that can never be measured in numbers.
Truly being a teacher is not easy. It is not exactly the kind of 8-hour job you expect it to be. So it requires a lot of patience and devotion in pursuing this career. If you are to imagine, you really cannot picture a class that is flawless. Each individual is a work in progress. Giving up should never be an option because by the time that you do, you failed not just the student but also yourself. Moreover, let go of your inhibitions and let circumstances be your milestones to your goal.
One more attribute that you should embrace as a teacher is openness. To be specific, you have to be more than an authority but you should also be a family and a friend. Cliché’ as it may sound but it is a fact. As an ESL teacher, I am exposed to students who travel away from home just to study. They often feel lonely and homesick. As much as possible, knowing their dilemmas, I make myself available to be the person who makes them laugh, and feel better. Of course, I set limitations but I make sure their hearts are also filled and not just their minds.
In a nutshell, my philosophy in teaching is this – It is a heartfelt career. A genuine teacher is one who perceives more than test and intelligence. It is about bringing out the best from those you have shared this passion with Forget the numbers. In the end, you will realize that all they will remember is what you have done outside of lectures.
