By KINSEY SEACORD
Nothing is more annoying
than an unprofessional teacher. If one is paid to instruct students about a specific curriculum, then off topic personal problems should never be discussed.
While it can be argued that sharing stories with students allows a teacher-student connection to form, there is a fine line between what is appropriate and what is not.
One thing that should never happen in a classroom is an instructor who talks about family confrontations, financial issues or arguments he is having with co-workers.
Discussing one’s problems should be between a therapist and a client, not a teacher and a student. Nowadays some teachers should be put on verbal leashes. For a schooling environment to be successful, students must be immersed in conversations relevant to what they are learning. If a teacher has a personal story that will help students better understand a subject, then it is welcome. Whining and off topic rants should be left to dissatisfied housewives.
It can also be argued when teachers share personal stories about their experiences, it aids students in formulating the solutions to their own problems. Aside from the fact that discussing intimate dilemmas should not happen at school, it can also affect students’ capabilities of expressing themselves.
According to Courtney Cazden, Professor of Education Emerita at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, “In a setting where [teachers] hope there can be important growth in children’s use of language for learning and for life, teachers talk too much, and the words in the air are more often [theirs] than [the children’s].” If teachers focus on their views and how they handle situations, students are not growing independent in thought and critical thinking abilities.
Not only do improper teaching styles shadow educators in an unprofessional light, but they also affect teachers’ ability to govern a class. There is a hierarchy of respect in the schooling system; that teachers are above their pupils. At times, students forget their advisers are not their peers.
Once respect is lost, the classroom is transformed into the Land of the Wild Things and attempting to discipline out-of-line kids is a joke. It is understandable some teachers think being “buddy buddy” with students will help them excel, but in reality it is robbing them of a fundamental lesson: not everyone is on the same level. Kids are here to learn, not make friends with elders.
Instructors who converse a rhapsody of complaints always forget that those listening are adolescets with their own problems; in short, no one cares.
Teachers never take into account their class might be uncomfortable with their speech. Some students may be sensitive to topics that a teacher jokes about. Getting fired because of insensitivity is pathetic.
Teaching is a prestigious job. One has the ability to shape generations and open doors of opportunity. To do the job right, a level of professionalism must be maintained. Certain teachers need to get it together.
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