2009-05-17 | Everyday English | Hits:495 | AddFavorite(0)

Like any other human being, a teacher wants to be liked by others, including his or her students. Even so, the majority of teachers realize that it is far more important to deliver knowledge to their students than be friends with them.

 

When teachers focus on being liked and put less emphasis on imparting information, students can suffer, in that they miss out on the learning they need to advance, whether in their education or life. Additionally, teachers who are too friendly with their students may not be respected by their students, their students’ parents, or their colleagues. If a teacher develops a romantic, even sexual, relationship with a student and this liaison is discovered, the teacher can lose his or her job and also be prosecuted by the authorities. Often, the student who was involved with the teacher suffers psychological damage.

 

Teachers who are intent on delivering knowledge enable their students to learn and grow so that they can become productive members of society. Such teachers typically earn the respect of their colleagues, their students’ parents, and, sooner or later, the students themselves. Often, as an adult, a former student remembers a teacher as the source of inspiration for his academic success or her wise career choice.

 

In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever before for teachers to deliver the knowledge students need to succeed. Employment statistics routinely show that individuals with university and graduate degrees fare better than those with only high school degrees. Moreover, in an increasingly global economy, students must be able to compete with their peers—whether they live in the U.S., India, or China. For students around the world, education is the key to advancement, and teachers play a critical role in delivering knowledge.