Your teacher and you

A teacher is the most important person in your academic life. Here are a few hints to establish an ideal relationship with your teacher.

I remember a teacher in my high school who never made an attempt to get know her pupils. She treated every student alike and was ever really interested in the progress made by any. Once, I remember, she made the whole class stand and read a poem from our English text-book.

I was not reading the poem and she came to me and slapped hard on my face without uttering a word. She did not give me a chance to explain my inability to read that poem – the page was missing from my book.

 Such teachers, of course, are rare. Not all are like them. There was another teacher in my school who was just the opposite of the one I mentioned above. He took a keen interest in every student and tried to bring out the best in each. As a result, he had a happy, well-controlled and disciplined class. He held competitions in the class and even gave away prizes. I am still the proud possessor of a ‘Funk &Wagnall’s Dictionary’ which I won as a prize in an essay competition he held.

As a rule, most teachers are hard-working and pleasant to get along with. But, let’s turn it around and ask a question. How do you rate with your teacher? Does he like you as a person and as a student? Often a teacher never reveals his likes and dislikes because that would be playing favourites. But if you happen to be on your teacher’s black list – better watch out. When it is time for him to correct examination papers – and you have already handed in a poor paper – you are doomed.

If you want to excel in your studies and improve your marks (and who doesn’t) study your teacher well. Not all teachers are likes and dislikes. Picture in your mind the kind of student he would admire. Write down the plus points of this mythical character and then try to emulate this model student.

It is something hard to like our teachers. They work hard (while we like to play) and they are constantly giving us orders. No one likes to be ordered. And such pleasant relationship with your teacher means learning obedience. It is a bitter pill to take but, remember, that all those who went before you had taken it and benefited from it.

 Here are a few tips on how to establish an ideal relationship with your teacher

1.      Give full attention to your teacher. This will give your teacher the message that s/he is important to you. Your attitude towards your teacher is important in establishing a pleasant relationship with him or her. Your attitude should say: “Let’s share this class hour together – learn together.”

2.      Be polite and respectful to your teacher. Respect is shown not only by saying “yes sir” or “no mam”. It is shown by the attitude and posture you hold in the classroom. It is shown by standing up when the teacher enters the classroom. By not talking when the teacher is speaking and wishing him politely when you meet him outside the classroom.

3.      Try to be extra co-operative. If you are the first to volunteer, your teacher will always retain a pleasant impression of you. When your teacher has used the blackboard, be the first volunteer to erase it. Of course, use your judgement when you do these things. Don’t become a teacher’s pet. But then, it is better to be a teacher’s pet than a teacher’s pest.

4.       One way to get on the good side of your teacher is to learn to become a fully-involved student. No teacher likes to feel that he is the only one participating. Prove your interest by enthusiastically taking up any project your teacher may introduce. Do not be the wet blanket who says, “Oh, no, miss, we can’t do that” most teachers appreciate an understanding student.

5.       Prove to your teacher that you that you are his model student by being interested in what he is saying. And if you try to ‘pretend’ an interest – sooner or later that interest will become genuine and half your battle is won. For, your teacher is there to impart knowledge and the enthusiasm to seek knowledge. Once he sees that even one student has caught the magic of learning – it will leave a glow in him, a feeling of self-confidence and accomplishment.