A TEACHER OR AN AWAKENER?

#teachers_day-16 A TEACHER OR AN AWAKENER? Yes, having spent a number of years as a teacher trainee, I began to wonder what teaching ministry (of course a ministry) is all about. Sincerely, many youths just like myself would never dream of becoming a teacher, given the jaundiced views our society has for the 'profession.' We are made to see teaching as the very last resort and 'stuffs' for the commoners, who perhaps get rejected could not make headway in their original desired profession. Misplacement of priority, isn't it? The question I usually ask them is: who made the doctors, lawyers, engineers and even your most respected President? Take it or leave it, no professionals are ever made without having gone through the guidance and tutorship of a teacher! Matter of fact, teachers are great and are therefore regarded as nation builders. Think of it, what nation can exist without engineers, architects, bankers, economists, lawyers, doctors, diplomats and yet politicians who are brought up by those 'despised' teachers in your community? Indeed, teachers build the nation! Since teaching goes beyond mere impartation of knowledge, but far to the art of helping someone to realize their potentials and judiciously utilize it to be useful to self and immediate society, what then are we saying? In general terms, whoever shows or tells someone how to undertake a particular task is a teacher. But the point is, how do we differentiate a teacher from a cheater? Is everybody who guides or tutors someone a teacher? Are teachers born or made? Having the ability to speak verbosely or stand in front of a class to deliver a long lesson does not qualify one as a TEACHER. Giving all definitions of life for students on a topic doesn't make you a TEACHER! Being the best graduating student in any field doesn't make you a good teacher. Teaching is a CALLING, a MINISTRY. Robert Frost once put, "I am not a teacher but an awakener." A good teacher is born and trained. He acquires certain skills to aide his inbuilt ability to teach. He is a psychologist, historian, philosopher, sociologist, a counsellor, God's messenger, a leader, a parent and above all, a MANAGER. He has great foresight: he can read the minds of his students as a psychologist and can think very fast as a philosopher. He is dynamic and understands human's behaviour, a community leader! So tolerant and disciplined. He is learned and never stops learning. He masters what he does and follows professional ethics. And what's more? He can make you learn and understand even when you really don't want to learn. He is a 'designer' of instructional materials and custodian of knowledge. He is a bunch of inspiration! No wonder from the religious perspective, JESUS is recurrently addressed 'Rabbi' in the holy Bible, meaning 'a great teacher' (John 1:38. John3:2. Matthew 23:8 NKJV) A REAL teacher is an AWAKENER who doesn't only show/tell you what but also stimulates you to listen and learn. The concern of this writing is therefore to celebrate all teachers- living or dead for making non- refundable efforts in bringing the best out of every soul. These 'awakeners' deserve much more than what the society is giving them. Long live the teachers. Happy Teacher's day! Omotayo Ogunkanmi P. B.Ed Language Arts (+234)7063398435. (+234) 9053565441 tflowmedia@gmail.com For: Media Coverage on Teaching Profession. October 2016.