Utopia of an untrained

teacher
BY SHARJEEL AHMED MARCH
25TH 2017

Nobody can deny the importance of imagination. In fact, imagination serves

as a powerful source of ideas. In the words of George Berkeley, a famous
philosopher, to be is to be perceived. It means that perception gives
foundation to reality.

Besides, it is also a fact that there are some external factors that have
dramatic effects on our world of imagination. Among such factors, our
knowledge of a certain thing stands as a primary factor. When we have an
accurate knowledge of a certain thing, we develop right expectations. Right
expectations get our world of imagination into the right direction. Contrarily,
an insufficient knowledge leads to wrong expectations. Wrong expectations
form such utopia where everything is not only impracticable but also absurd.

We can easily see the reflection of this problem in the world of professions.
When an individual enters into a profession without having its adequate
knowledge, expertise and relevant training, he begins to develop wrong
expectations. The worth of teaching profession is undeniable. Yet, it greatly
suffers from a lack of trained professionals. Now let us see how the
imagination of an untrained teacher works and leads him to wrong
expectations.

An untrained teacher dreams of such a schooling world where all students

are fast learners. They are able to cram the information like a parrot. They
are all equal in their interests and abilities. The criterion for their successful
learning rests in being high achievers in tests. There is no room for questions
in the classroom. Students seem to be either deaf or dumb. Saying be silent
in a loud voice is the only solution in case of noise found in the classroom. A
corporal punishment is the only way in case of dealing with the disruptive
and problematic students in the classroom. Passive students are deemed as
a burden on the classroom. In any way, teacher does not need to own the
under-performance of students.

All these wrong expectations are developed unintentionally in an untrained

teacher due to the lens of ignorance on his eyes. Even, he begins to
underestimate the teaching profession by comparing it with other
professions in terms of money.

On the other hand, a trained teacher views the teaching profession in a

completely different perspective. His perspective is very broad, lively and
dynamic. He takes teaching as a challenging task that is full of
accountabilities.

A trained teacher considers teaching as a means of adding values to the life

of students and a service to nation at large. He takes full ownership of the
performance of his students. He views his own success in the success of his
students, and his own failure in the failure of his students. He takes a
problem-solving approach to deal with the learning issues of his students. He
does not hesitate to go into the root of problems faced by his students. He
recognizes the different abilities and interests of his students. He makes the
learning sessions interesting and engaging for them.

The world of a trained teacher does not end at intellect-boosting of his

students. Rather, he keeps in view multi dimensions of students including
intellectual, physical, aesthetic, moral and social. He values participation of
students in co-curricular activities. He encourages them to leverage their
skills in all the dimensions. He is convinced of the fact that healthy mind is
always in a healthy body. He acknowledges the diverse background of his
students. He takes into account the individual differences of students and
deals with them accordingly.

Limiting himself to a single way of instruction is not the way of a trained

teacher. Rather, he considers different instructional techniques and makes
their fusion to suit the specific needs of his students and the learning
circumstances. He keeps the door of feedback open for him and warmly
welcomes the suggestions coming from his students, parents and peers. He
is convinced of the fact that ideas get improved when they are challenged.

Always optimistic serves as a slogan for a trained teacher. He never gets

pessimistic by looking at the apparently dark sides of the students like being
disruptive, problematic or passive. Such students serve as a means for
leveraging his teaching skills. He takes a problem-solving approach to deal
with all such issues. He believes in change and does not stay standstill.
Hence he keeps an eagle eye on the changing dynamics in the profession of
teaching to keep himself in pace with the contemporary world.
Teaching is considered to be the mother of all professions. But due to our
negligence and the stake of untrained teachers in the field, this mother has
turned into a step mother the victims of whose injustice are seemed to be
students.

Sharjeel Ahmed is Manager Professional Development at Spectrum, Karachi.

He has been conducting professional development workshops for teachers
for several years. He holds a masters degree in Education and a masters
degree in Islamic Studies. Previously, he has served as Manager Research &
Development at Spectrum, Karachi.