The 7 kinds of teachers

7 kinds of teachers

Teachers, instructors, professors. At some point in our existence, they come into our lives and teach us inputs from the book but often, we learn moral lessons from them too. As we grow older and build a family of our own, the memories that we shared with our former teachers remain even as we become professionals too. While others are reaping success in their personal endeavours and careers, the teachers remain as teachers, simply delighted with the fact that this person who was once his/her student is now successful. Unfortunately, not all teachers are born educators at heart. It’s a dismaying fact that some lose their morale and motivation due to the meager benefits and wage that have always been an issue in their plight as teachers. Who are really these teachers? Let’s get to know them according to the perspective of someone who spent almost half of her life studying.

Note: This is not a generalization of all the teachers but rather just an opinion based on observation.

1. The “Sta. Claus”

These professors are so generous in giving high grades; they practically give a passing grade to a student who does nothing in his/her class. If you have this kind of professor, you can’t help but wonder how and where in the world did she come up with your grade when you knew that you did not do something that deserves a line of nine. Is this teacher a good or bad one? If she gives high grades with no jurisdiction, it can be unfair especially when you are studying very hard and upon receiving your report card, you found out that you have the same grade with your seatmate who is practically not exerting too much effort in studying. The important point is, no matter what grade these professors may give you, they must be too generous when it comes to giving the students new knowledge and discipline but not the high grades that they don’t really worked hard for.

2. The “sleeping pills”

These teachers may be highly intelligent and kind-hearted but their inability to keep you from drowsing and yawning is what keeps them from being qualified as an effective teacher. They may be lacking good communication skills (very low voice or monotonous speaking) or simply put, they just need energizers. A really good, loyal or perfect student may have the patience to bear with these professors’ flaw but the point is, these professors should atleast have a clue that their students can no longer keep their eyes open during discussions therefore they should improve and change some of their ways in teaching. As for the students, they should remember that it is not the professors’ intention to make them sleep and sometimes, the allotted time or even the weather is unfavorable that’s why everyone tends to be sleepy during their class. For the students who have professors like these, it won’t hurt to personally talk to him/her and suggest something to make his class lively. After all, there’s no such thing as perfect professors. All of us are liable to have mistakes.

3. The “vanishers”

Today, they may be present but the next day and so on, they may not be. Sometimes, you can’t help but wonder why they are absent - again. These professors are often absent so they tend to hurry the lessons and cram when the exams are coming near. Students who have “vanishers” as their professors feel like they’re not getting the most out of the subject units that they have paid for. On the other hand, some teachers tend to be absent for quite some time but they have valid reasons. However, if their absences are prolonged, students have no choice but hope to have an immediate substitute for the teachers so as not to waste valuable running time and lessons.

If you are a student who have “vanisher” professors or those who do AWOL, it’s up to you if you would want to bring up the matter to the higher academic person. Just remember that your professors are only human beings. Therefore, they are vulnerable to sickness and crisis but if they are only using those “sickness, problems and other matters” as a scapegoat for them to have an excuse not to work for, then it’s time for you to make the most out of the bucks that your parents have worked hard for. Do something.

3. The “metal handed”

One word: strict. Oftentimes, the strictness of the teachers is needed chiefly with ill-mannered students. However, too much strictness of the teachers is not really good since it can have a lot of drawbacks for the teachers themselves because most of the time, they are unaware of what the students say about them behind their back. Certainly, teachers don’t want to have students casting dagger looks to them behind their back, right? No student would want to have a teacher who makes everyone nervous resulting to trembling hands and knees for the whole class period. On the other hand, having a strict professor is not really bad especially if his/her strictness is in place. Example: strictness in passing of projects, exams, tests and distribution of grades. But too much strictness is too intimidating and not healthy in the classroom setting because considerations are indeed needed to be applied sometimes. The bottomline is, if you are a good student who does nothing that can ire the professors, you won’t feel the need to loathe these so called “metal handed” teachers.

4. The “super kind”

This one is the opposite of the “metal hands”. The “super kind” professors are loved by many but not by all. They are the teachers who are so kind that they can still smile in front of a student using his cellphone during class. These professors are often abused by the students. Other than that, it’s hard for them to maintain discipline in their class. Indeed, too much of everything is not advisable. Students who have a kind teacher are lucky. However, students who have a very very kind teacher who doesn’t shout, reprimand and can’t discipline his/her students is another thing. “Magalit ka naman Mam/Sir!”  You are indeed lucky if you have “super kind” professors but if they do nothing to the neurons of your brain, your luck is otherwise kaput.

5. The “projectors”

They just love giving projects, homeworks, assignments and unidentified requirements almost everyday. Of course, every teacher has to make their students do some projects, assignments, etc to build up their learning. But, it’s a different story if they are doing it too much that the students started growing eyebags as big as their eyes and spend money as big as their allowances. Having school requirements that deprive students some sleep is inevitable but if it’s too much and if it will cause the students to spend humongous and inconsiderate amounts, it’s no longer fine particularly if it does nothing to the students’ learning. “Sir, Ma’am, why don’t we try discussing instead of checking our assignments, projects….every now and then?”

Ofcourse, in a way or another, those projects are indeed making you learn more but, I repeat, if it’s too much, it’s no longer right.

6. The “rolex”

These teachers, simply put, are either often late, has a habit of dismissing class unusually early, loves overtime and basically not always on time. If they are frequently late for minutes or so because their office is far from the classroom, spare them the “Hay naku! Late na naman siya”. After all, it’s not easy being a teacher because having such job can be so tiring, nerve wracking and of course it can drain one’s patience. It is still okay if a teacher arrives late for a few minutes but if the time delay starts to happen regularly that it tends to disrupt the lessons and everything, something must be wrong.

On the other hand, if you have a professor who has the habit of dismissing his class early when he can use the remaining time to be more productive, this should be made known to the school administrator. Everything is a case to case basis though. In some instances, teachers have to dismiss their class earlier for some acceptable reasons such as meetings but if they have no reasons at all, suffice it to say, it’s no longer appropriate

7. The good professors

Everyone loves these professors. They teach with zeal, passion, motivation and zest. They change their students’ lives forever through their remarkable dedication to duty. Of course, we have many of these in the Philippines!