A Pragmatic Guide to Teachers - Soft Skills expert Ajith Kumar Chelote

1.      Teachers should come to school in dignified, formal dress.

Gents: Full hand shirt cuffed, in shirt, belt, formal shoes/ leather chapels. (Jeans, T-Shirts, half hand shirt, folded hands, sports or non -formal shoes etc. should be avoided.) Shave every day. Neat haircut.

Ladies: Sari.  Saturdays or any unavoidable occasions, decent Churidars allowed. Hair should be dressed well. Teachers should wear decent leather chapels. Minimal jewelleries and make up.

2.      Teachers should sign the attendance before 8: 30 am

Mark your singing time. HMs, in charges, Supervisors, and contingency staff should report by 8: 00 am.

3.      Class teachers should go immediately to their classes and check the neatness of the classroom, condition of the black board, Uniform of the children etc. and mark any discrepancies in the diaries.

4.      The class teacher is responsible for bringing all the students in a disciplined manner to the assembly and back to the class.

5.      The class teacher should carry the attendance register with them and mark the attendance in first 10 minutes. Late comers should be questioned and late mark, uniform etc. should be marked in the students, diary.

6.      Before starting the lesson, fill in the teacher’s diary.

7.      Check whether all the students have submitted the home work, if any. Otherwise, take necessary action.

8.      Before starting the lesson, talk on a moral or social responsibility or a story / an incident etc., for 2 minutes. Spend another 2 minutes on responses from the students.

9.      Always give an introduction to a new lesson or recall the previous learning. Ask recapitulation questions or ask to brief major learning points by one or two students at the end of a class.

10.   Give model reading, then explanation, then silent reading then questioning then oral reading then questioning again and finally give some homework.

11.   Major learning points should be written on the black board.

12.   Use group discussions, presentations, videos, pictures and other teaching aids to make learning interesting.

13.   While teaching encourage students to ask more questions. Throw at them increasing critical awareness (thinking/application) level questions.

14.   Use labs, microscope, Maps etc. Keep them in an order after use.

15.   Correct notes in the class in front of the student concerned. Correct him/her then and there.

While correcting the notes you can give drilling/text reading etc. to other students. So that all are engaged.

16.   Always check the neatness and correctness of the information written, homework given etc. and sign the diary.

17.   Check your own hand writing, spelling and grammar. Nothing embarrasses us than a teacher’s fault!

18.   Class teachers are responsible for the discipline of their class.

19.   If any things are destroyed in the class, the teacher concerned will be responsible. Always be vigilant and counsel students regarding good behaviour.

20.   The teachers on lunch duty should stay full time during lunch break and have lunch along with the children once in a week. Make sure food is not wasted. Educate children about conservation of water.

21.   Teachers should communicate only in English with students and with other teachers.

22.   No teacher is permitted to chit chat during class hours either with other staff or in the phone.

23.   Do not show any derogatory pictures/ materials etc. to students which are not academically relevant.

24.   Avoid all kinds of unnecessary contacts with the students or parents either direct or through phone. Don’t send or forward any kind of SMS either to students, or to parents.

25.   Avoid organizing any kind of non- academic activities either at home or outside, involving children or staff or parents (picnic/parties/matches etc. or partaking in it without consulting the head or the institute well in advance. Always foresee untoward, unforeseen consequences of which you will be accountable later.

26.   If a teacher wanted to enter a class, while the lesions are going on he/she should request the teacher concerned before entering in to class. Its dignity to grant entry immediately. 

27.   No personal matters should be discussed in front of the students.

28.   Always stick to the syllabus schedule you have planned.

29.   Submit question papers, cumulative record, progress cards, files or other requirements with in the deadlines.

30.   Do not send kids to office /outside etc. unless you get written request. If you happen to see someone loitering, question him/her.

31.   Make sure your surroundings are not littered. Make sure the walls are neat.

32.   Don’t send kids in groups to urinals as it causes indiscipline. Make sure they return in time.

33.   Discourage tuitions and encourage self-study. Inform the head if you are taking up any remedial classes.

34.   No teacher should instigate parents or students against another teacher. If there are any discrepancies in the work of a teacher inform the concerned teacher and the head of the institute. Always help one another to improve the students.

35.   It is the duty of the teacher to actively participate in the co-curricular activities irrespective of the class /subject you are dealing.

36.   Always show magnanimity and kind ness and never ever hatred, meanness or jealousy. Remember kids are watching you. Be a good role model.

37.   Never use corporal punishment. Or abusive language to the kids. It’s an offence under IPC.

38.   Never show favouritism to your son/daughter. It hurts the other children and they start disliking you and your subject. Show that you are a just person and kids will respect you.

39.   3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, teachers should engage the students in constructive activities. It’s not a free time.

40.   All teachers should share responsibilities of the houses they belong to. Always encourage the timid child to participate. Recognize and reward the active students.

41.   Make sure the national anthem is sung with due respect.

42.   Make sure all kids carry their bag/lunch box /water bottle etc., back home.

43.   The teacher should come down only after all the kids leaving the class room.

44.   Always meet your head before leaving, as it facilitates an opportunity to communicate important information, if any.

45.   Always start with positive points about a child while talking to a parent. Then tell the areas of improvement. Assure you will take care. Never ever raise your voice or use derogatory remarks. A parent is a customer and a customer is always right and he must win!!! Earn respect.

46.   Always be willing to help each other. Educating is a collective responsibility.

47.   Enjoy educating, forming, reforming and transforming.

 Have a wonderful and challenging teaching career.
 Ajithkumar Chelote is the Chairman  of Mount Carmel School-Indrapalem,Kakinada,Andhrapradesh,India and an International Soft Skills Expert
 

Trainer Ajith kumar Chelote www.lifeartstrainer.blogspot.com