Have you heard about Alexander the Great, Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, and Nelson Mandela? These extraordinary personalities have left a significant imprint on world history and are known for their work in their respective fields. While many have heard these names, little do people know that most of their success was achievable because of their mentors/teachers. Irrespective of the person you idolize, a quick look at their history would highlight a great teacher’s contribution in their journey.
We at Delhi Public School Sushant Lok, one of the top schools in Gurgaon, believe that teachers hugely influence an individual’s education and success. The right teacher can help students navigate the path to success, while the absence of such teachers can leave people struggling to achieve the desired goals. Hence, our institute pays special attention when selecting a teacher for any subject. We believe good education extends beyond textbook learning, and our teachers have the same beliefs. According to us, great teachers can have a profound influence on students’ life in the following ways:
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Ignite a Curiosity Spark
Teachers are masters at sparking curiosity. They don’t make their students resort to ineffective learning methods like rote memorization. Their primary focus is to deliver unique learning experiences that make students hungry for knowledge. For example, teachers at our leverage powerful storytelling techniques to better explain a past event, concept, scientific study, etc.
For better understanding, let’s draw a clear distinction between regular teachers and great teachers. A regular teacher may try her best to explain a historical event in an easy-to-digest way, but a great teacher will use vivid storytelling to transport students to the heart of an ancient civilization they’re talking about. The latter will make students more hooked and curious. Excellent teachers understand that curiosity leads to improved lifelong learning, and they make all efforts to ignite this spark in their students for their phenomenal success.
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Foster Confidence and Self-Efficacy
No matter how much knowledge you possess, if you cannot express it confidently or stick to it in a sea of conflicting views, it all goes to waste. Great teachers have realized this long back; hence, they focus on the overall growth of their students. They go beyond academics and create a supportive and judgment-free environment where students feel safe to ask questions or express their perspectives, ideas, and knowledge. It eventually helps them build and nurture confidence and self-efficacy that promotes their overall growth.
For example, our maths teachers don’t limit their teaching to simplifying complex concepts or covering everything needed for success, but they also celebrate incremental progress to motivate students. This encouragement helps students strengthen their belief in self and capabilities, empowering them to tackle any life challenge with resilience.
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Instil Lifelong Values
We at Delhi Public School Sushant Lok firmly believe that great teachers aren’t mere conveyors of knowledge; they are character builders. They plan their actions and words to model empathy, perseverance, and respect. For example, our sports teachers believe that teamwork and sportsmanship can take students to places, so they try their best to inculcate these values in students that extend beyond the playing field.
As students witness these values in action on the field, they begin internalizing them. They also develop the understanding that excelling in a chosen field is not sufficient; striving to become a better human being is. Teachers’ actions always create a ripple effect that students carry forward in various aspects of their life.
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Cultivate Critical Thinking
The world belongs to critical thinkers as it helps them stand out from the sea of sameness. Great teachers play a pivotal role in nurturing critical thinkers by teaching them to ask questions, analyze things/concepts, and use reasoning to deduce conclusions. There is no definite way to foster critical thinking, so you can find numerous ways adopted by various great teachers worldwide.
For example, our English teachers encourage students to interpret literature from a different viewpoint/angle and discuss it with their classmates. It helps them develop the timeless skill of seeing things beyond the surface level. Students begin to initiate and engage in thought-provoking discussions, dissecting information, evaluating perspectives, and forming well-rounded opinions. With time, this ability becomes their guiding compass in life, helping them make the right decisions.
Conclusion
Exceptional teachers have always sowed the seeds of greatness in their students, so their contribution and influence on one’s success is undeniable. The teachings of great teachers are not only shown in test scores but also in different aspects of life beyond academics. It is why our institute, being one of the good schools in Gurgaon, has selected the choicest of teachers who are skilled and qualified to transform students into well-rounded individuals. They not only teach different subjects but also shape minds, instill powerful life values, and inspire dreams. If you’ve never viewed great educators from this viewpoint, it’s time to pause, reflect, and change the thinking so great teachers get the applause they truly deserve.