Why this article?

In a world constantly evolving with new challenges and opportunities, the role of a teacher stands as one of the most profoundly impactful professions. Teaching transcends the mere imparting of knowledge; it’s about shaping lives and fostering a better society. Through building positive relationships, unleashing creativity, serving as foster parents, mastering communication skills, and embracing multi-tasking, teachers develop invaluable skills that benefit both their students and the broader community. This article explores why everyone should experience being a teacher at some point in their lives, highlighting how the skills cultivated in teaching can be applied to solve societal problems and promote personal and collective growth. Whether you are currently in the field of education or not, the lessons from teaching offer insights and skills that are essential for nurturing a cohesive, innovative, and resilient society.

1. Building Positive Relationships

Forming strong relationships with students is essential for a successful teaching career. A teacher cultivates positive and respectful connections to foster a productive classroom environment. The classroom environment is a form of partnership, where students are there to learn, and teachers to impart knowledge. In contrast, when a teacher lacks good relationships with students, it leads to disengagement, poor classroom management, hatred, spending too much time managing unwanted behaviours, reduced academic performance, and lower student confidence. Establishing good relationships with students is key to achieving educational goals.

This approach not only benefits the classroom but also extends into the broader society, highlighting the importance of maintaining positive relationships with others. Building strong connections can help you accomplish your goals in life faster by promoting cooperation and mutual respect. The findings of Fabio et al (2019) reveal that positive relationships in society foster communal understanding and sustainable living. This means that positive relationship enhances communication, reduce conflicts, and promote social cohesion. By building strong connections, individuals and communities can achieve common goals, support one another, and create a harmonious environment that encourages personal growth and collective well-being.

2. Unleashing Creativity

Teachers use their creativity in both lesson preparation and delivery to ensure that students enjoy learning and achieve intended outcomes. Innovative lesson planning is a key aspect, where teachers design engaging lessons using diverse methods such as storytelling, multimedia presentations, and hands-on activities, making learning relevant and stimulating. Teachers spend considerable amount of time in planning for lessons. During my time as a teacher, I do plan the questions that my teaching could generate and would plan how to answer those questions. Often, during planning, I think of questions to arouse creativity in my students. Customizing learning materials to meet the diverse needs of students is another facet of their creativity. Teachers develop tailored worksheets, interactive games, and visual aids to cater to different learning styles, ensuring all students can grasp complex concepts and stay motivated.

The creativity teachers employ in lesson preparation and delivery can be applied to solving societal problems by fostering innovative thinking, adaptability, and collaborative efforts. Teachers' skills in designing engaging, relevant content and tailoring solutions to diverse needs can translate into developing effective community programs and initiatives. When we have innovative thinkers in the society, promoting creativity, critical thinking, we are assured of individuals approaching societal challenges with fresh perspectives and collaborative strategies, ultimately contributing to more resilient and dynamic communities.

3. Teachers Serve As Foster Parents

In 2020, I was appointed as a Form Tutor. Initially, I complained and even considered rejecting the role. I remember going to Mr. Femi, the Vice-Principal, to express my concerns about my unsuitability for the position. Mr. Femi laughed and reassured me, suggesting that I view it as an opportunity to develop valuable interpersonal skills.

Becoming a Form Tutor to 20 amazing children indeed shaped my experience, though it came with some rigorous and daunting challenges. Form Tutors are the first point of contact for teachers and management regarding the successes and misdemeanours of their tutees. I became responsible for monitoring students' appearances and ensuring they were well-dressed. Additionally, subject teachers frequently consulted me for advice on managing student behaviour or motivating them to complete assignments. I also received phone calls from parents seeking my assistance in correcting their children. One parent once said, "Anytime my child hears that I will report him to Mr. Odeniyi, he quickly behaves and does the right thing." This shift in responsibility was evident in how my colleagues addressed me. Their requests changed from "Mr. Odeniyi, please speak with your students" to "Mr. Odeniyi, please talk to your children." Comments like "Your children are disturbing the school" or "One of your children has not done his assignment" became common. Sometimes, I even wondered if I had children of my own!

Being a Form Tutor made me realize the profound impact teachers have as foster parents, providing guidance, support, and discipline. Creating a nurturing environment where students feel safe, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential is paramount. By fostering trust and building strong relationships, teachers help shape students’ character, instil values, and inspire confidence.

This experience teaches us to look out for people in society, modelling for young ones a fulfilling life worthy of emulation. If we all adopt this mentality, we can look forward to a world free of hatred and destruction.

4. Mastering Communication Skills

Effective communication skills are crucial for teachers in creating a conducive learning environment. They enable clear and understandable presentation of complex concepts, engaging students through interactive discussions and varied teaching methods. Good communication fosters a positive classroom atmosphere where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and receiving constructive feedback, which motivates them to improve. It also plays a pivotal role in managing classroom behaviour, setting expectations, and facilitating collaborative activities. Adapting teaching approaches to meet diverse learning needs further underscores the importance of communication in ensuring every student comprehends and participates effectively. Overall, effective communication empowers teachers to foster engagement, understanding, and growth among their students.

Beyond the classroom, effective communication serves as a cornerstone for fostering peace, dialogue, and opportunities for self-defence. By promoting clear and respectful exchanges of ideas, it cultivates understanding and empathy among individuals and communities. When people communicate effectively, they articulate their perspectives confidently, facilitating constructive dialogue that can resolve conflicts and bridge differences. Moreover, strong communication skills encourage active listening, ensuring that individuals not only speak but also hear and comprehend each other's viewpoints. This mutual respect and openness to diverse opinions strengthen social cohesion and enable collaborative problem-solving, ultimately promoting harmony and cooperation within society.

5. Embracing Multi-Tasking

Teachers are quintessential multi-taskers, balancing an array of responsibilities daily. From planning and preparing lessons to performing duty posts, writing reports, preparing students for class assemblies, attending staff meetings, considering classroom decoration, planning sub-group meetings, and fulfilling tasks for principals and vice-principals, teachers manage numerous tasks simultaneously. This constant juggling underscores the importance of effective planning and prioritizing tasks. In private schools, missing deadlines can lead to sanctions, including salary deductions, emphasizing the necessity of meeting all obligations promptly. In my teaching experience, this multi-tasking ability has been invaluable. I’ve learned to prioritize activities and efficiently manage multiple tasks at once, seamlessly transferring this skill to everyday life

Conclusion

Teaching is a transformative experience that goes far beyond imparting knowledge. It’s about shaping lives, including your own. The lessons I’ve learned from being a teacher have made me a better communicator, a more empathetic person, a skilled time manager, and someone who understands the importance of balance in relationships. These experiences have prepared me for the future in ways I never anticipated, and for that, I am truly grateful. Whether you’re a teacher or not, I hope these lessons resonate with you and inspire you to reflect on the invaluable experiences in your own life.