Teachers Are Critical In Shaping Society, Treat Them Better

How the quality of teachers affected my grades

By the time I completed my masters in chemical engineering in 1970, I had encountered a wide array of teachers. While some were outstanding, the majority were mediocre, and a few were even subpar. The quality of a teacher mattered significantly to me for two primary reasons. Firstly, my grades in a subject often varied based on the teacher’s quality. Secondly, good teachers were profoundly inspirational, serving as catalysts who sparked my curiosity and passion for the subjects they taught. To clarify, the impact of a teacher on my grades was not dramatic, but noticeable. In my experience, they impacted me enough to want to write about it.

A good teacher can foster love for a subject

In high school, I had an exceptionally good English teacher but a very mediocre Hindi teacher. Consequently, I consistently scored higher in English than in Hindi, despite Hindi being my mother tongue and growing up in a Hindi-speaking household. I loved Hindi. In fact, I enjoyed listening to dialogues from faith-based TV series, such as Shrimad Ramayan , Lakshmi Narain , and Shiv Shakti , because they were spoken in s huddha (pure) Hindi. My English teacher was so outstanding that even though I was majoring in science, I developed a passion for reading English newspapers, magazines, and books.

To this day, even after 68 years, I remember some of the quotes and one-liners my high school English teacher shared with us:  “Hate the sin but not the sinner,” “Don’t look at the mote in the other person’s eye when there is a beam in your own,” “There are too many slips between the cup and the lip”. He would not only teach us to become proficient in English, but he would also subtly teach us to be ethical, moral, and decent citizens of the society.

I loved Sanskrit and scored high marks in it until the eighth grade. When I moved to a new school in the ninth grade, I ended up with an inferior Sanskrit teacher, which led to a decline in my performance in Sanskrit .

I studied physics and chemistry right through the first three years of my five-year engineering course. My preference in the two subjects fluctuated, depending on the quality of the teacher. Sometimes, I preferred physics, other times I leaned toward chemistry. My grades mirrored this pattern, with higher grades correlating with better teachers.

Teachers are critical but undervalued

The role of teachers in shaping the minds and characters of students extends beyond academics. Teachers are instrumental in developing essential life skills, fostering holistic growth, and preparing students to become responsible and competent members of society. The reverence for teachers seen in various cultures underscores their significance in nurturing these skills. But the profession is rife with challenges,  particularly in the United States, where teachers are undervalued, compared to their counterparts in other countries, especially in terms of compensation and societal respect . According to a report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) Report on “Teacher Pay Penalty”,  teachers in the U.S. consistently earn less than other professionals with comparable education and experience levels.

Not surprisingly, the profession in the U.S. sees a high turnover rate , creating shortages that need to be filled with underqualified teachers.

Historical reverence for teachers

Teachers have been revered across cultures for their profound influence on individuals and societies. In Hindu culture , the concept of the “guru” is deeply embedded. Gurus were not just instructors of academic subjects but spiritual guides and moral beacons. The Sanskrit phrase “Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara” exemplifies the high esteem in which gurus were held, likening them to the Gods of creation, preservation, and destruction. This reverence highlights the comprehensive role teachers played in shaping the character, wisdom, and ethical framework of their students.

Sparking intellectual curiosity

Teachers play a crucial role in sparking intellectual curiosity and fostering a lifelong love for learning. By encouraging students to ask the right questions and think analytically, critically, creatively, rationally, and holistically, teachers cultivate independent and innovative thinkers. According to John Dewey , a prominent American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” This philosophy emphasizes the importance of experiential learning and critical thinking, which are best nurtured by passionate and skilled educators.

Effective teachers use various strategies to arouse curiosity and engage students deeply in their learning processes. For instance, through project-based learning, students tackle real-world problems, which fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Such approaches help students see the relevance of their education and motivate them to delve deeper into subjects.

Developing communication skills

Teachers also guide students in expressing their ideas persuasively and convincingly, essential for effective communication. Writing is a critical skill in this regard. Teachers provide students with the tools to structure their thoughts, support their arguments with evidence, and convey their messages clearly and compellingly. By assigning essays, presentations, and group projects, teachers help students refine their ability to articulate their ideas. This not only enhances their academic performance but also prepares them for future professional environments where communication is key.

Fostering respect and ethical conduct

A significant aspect of a teacher’s role is to instill values of respect and dignity. By modeling and teaching respect for elders, peers, and younger individuals, teachers help students develop interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. These values are critical in fostering a compassionate and inclusive society. Moreover, teachers serve as ethical role models, guiding students in understanding and practicing moral and legal conduct.

Character education programs integrated into school curriculums are effective in promoting these values. These programs often include discussions on moral dilemmas, community service projects, and collaborative activities that require students to consider the perspectives and rights of others.

Creating engaging learning environments

An engaging learning environment is vital for effective education. Teachers who are passionate and enthusiastic about their subjects can make learning interesting and relevant, thus arousing the curiosity of their students. Innovative teaching methods, such as interactive technology, hands-on activities, and field trips, can make lessons more dynamic and memorable.

In Finland, often cited for its exemplary education system , teachers use a variety of pedagogical techniques to keep students engaged. Finnish education emphasizes active learning and student participation, which has been shown to significantly enhance student outcomes.

Challenges in the U.S. education system

Despite the critical importance of teachers, the teaching profession in the United States faces significant challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the inadequate compensation for teachers compared to other professions. According to a report by World Population Review , the United States ranks eighth globally.

This ranking places the U.S. behind several other countries in terms of how much it compensates its educators, pointing to the relative undervaluation of teachers in the country compared to top-ranking nations.

According to a 2023 Economic Policy Institute (EPI) Report ,  the gap between the weekly wages of teachers and college graduates working in other professions grew to a record 26.4% in 2022, a significant increase from 6.1% in 1996. This disparity not only undervalues the profession but also deters talented individuals from pursuing careers in education.

The undervaluation of teachers is in stark  contrast with, say, the exorbitant salaries of sports athletes in the U.S. While sports can provide entertainment and foster teamwork, the societal contributions of teaching are far more substantial. Educators shape future generations, influence societal norms, and drive intellectual and moral development. The disproportionate financial rewards between these professions highlight a societal misalignment of values. Consumers should be willing to pay teachers more by cutting down on attending sports events.

Impact on student performance

The consequences of undervaluing teachers are evident in student outocmes. U.S. students consistently perform poorly in international assessments such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). In the  “PISA 2022 Overall Score”, the United States ranked 18th, behind countries like Singapore (rank 1), China (rank 2), Japan (rank 3), and Taiwan (rank 4).

One significant factor contributing to this underperformance is the quality of education provided by public schools, which is closely tied to teacher quality and funding.

Public school funding in the U.S. is often based on local real estate tax revenues, which creates significant disparities. Schools in affluent areas can afford better facilities and attract higher-quality teachers, while schools in poorer areas struggle with limited resources. This inequitable funding model exacerbates educational inequalities and perpetuates a cycle of disadvantage for students from low-income families.

I would like to see the public schools to be funded by the federal government, instead of city, county, or state governments. This is the only way our education system can be fair, just,  equitable, and sustainable. Education is the fundamental human need akin to food, clothing, housing, and health care. It doesn’t make sense for the most affluent country in the world like ours to ignore this basic need. How can our children compete with children of other countries in the global economy if they get a substandard education?

Prioritizing education and teachers

Teachers are indispensable in developing the life skills necessary for students to thrive in personal and professional realms. Addressing the challenges they face in our country requires a multifaceted approach, including better compensation for teachers, equitable funding for schools, and a societal shift in recognizing the paramount importance of education. As Nelson Mandela aptly stated , “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” It is imperative that we honor and support our teachers, who are the architects of this transformative force.

Spending more money and resources on education and teachers will help us get the best teachers, which in turn will help our children compete better in the global economy, improve the U.S. economy, raise our living standards, and contribute to the overall well-being of the society.

Teachers, in my opinion, must be passionate about their work, must be excellent at public speaking, must be knowledgeable about what they teach, must be articulate, must act as good role models for students to emulate, must be of high character to not only teach the subject they are supposed to teach, but also, in a subtle way, ethics and morality, through their words and deeds.

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