I read an interesting chapter in Teaching of Social Studies by S.K. Kochhar. The chapter addresses the “Essential Qualities in a Social Studies Teacher”. Here are the various headings from the chapter:
1. Well-equipped in Human Qualities – worker in many fields, friendly with all manner of people, free from prejudice, possess an active social conscience and highly cultured.
2. Well-equipped in Academic Qualifications – Highly qualified, very well-informed, have sufficient knowledge of history, geography, civics, economics, sociology and anthropology. His training should include economics, political and cultural development, etc. Have broad understanding of the family, community, state, nation and the world.
3. An Expert in the Methodology of Teaching SS – Able to arouse interest, stimulate questions, encourage enquiry, promote deep thinking. Be conversant with use of IT equipment for lessons.
4. A Scientist and an Artist – As a scientist, non-biased, interpret values, etc. As artist, his culture should be wide in literature, arts & humanities.
5. Breadth of Outlook and Width of Understanding – Must have a refreshing outlook on life and should always have an open mind. His scope must not only be regional or national, but also international.
6. A Person of Integrity
7. A Person of Sound Professional Ethics
8. An Interesting Person
9. A good citizen
10. Widely traveled – Within country and overseas. In-country would include important, significant historical places and buildings, museums, art galleries, factories, etc.
11. A Man of Faith – Faith in self, SS subject and in the students.
12. A Person Who Grows Professionally
Kochhar summed up: In short, the SS teacher should approach as nearly as possible, the ideals of a skilful teacher, a student leader, a worthy colleague, a good citizen, a participant in community affairs and a scholar who keeps abreast of education.
At first, I was very skeptical and felt that the above was a description of an almost perfect teacher! However, nobody is perfect!
But as I ponder over the qualities, it does make sense that we are all of the above; perhaps, even more! However, we may not be perfect in each of the qualities, but we are working at getting there. The bottom line is that if we don’t have these qualities, then how are we going to transmit that to our students?
Like I said, we should possess a certain degree of each of the qualities, but will continue to improve ourselves. And if not for anything else, it’s useful to just ponder and reflect on these qualities and see how we fit into these qualities.
1 comment:
Point #10: Yes I want to be widely travelled! My mum was telling me how she related her experiences of travelling abroad to her students, and using them as lesson materials. I want to have that experience too. But until then, if we can't actually experience it, it's also good to have knowledge of it.
E.g. Never been to see the Statue of Liberty. But at least I know the French gave it to the americans in the 19th century as a gesture of goodwill. Something like that lah. So we shouldn't use the excuse of 'dunnoe, never been there before wad'.
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