essay on teacher a role model

mrsstrickey
Sep 14, 2021

Teachers as Role Models

Updated: Nov 9, 2021

The Early Career Framework states that teachers must learn that... Teachers are key role models, who can influence the attitudes, values and behaviours of their pupils.

A role model is a person whose behaviour, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people. The term role model is credited to sociologist Robert K. Merton, who coined the phrase during his career. Merton hypothesized that individuals compare themselves with reference groups of people who occupy the social role to which the individual aspires. An example being the way young fans will idolize and imitate professional athletes or entertainment artists.

True role models are those who possess the qualities that we would like to have, and those who have affected us in a way that makes us want to be better people. They help us to advocate for ourselves and take a leadership position on the issues that we believe in.

Role models show young people how to live with integrity, optimism, hope, determination, and compassion. They play an essential part in a child’s positive development.

Teachers are key role models, who can influence the attitudes, values and behaviours of their pupils. A positive role model serves as an example–inspiring children to live meaningful lives. Teachers are a constant presence in a child's life. They influence children as much as—if not even more than—parents do. Over the years, I've seen the tremendous impact teachers have had on their students. They're not just educators; they're role models who inspire and motivate children outside the classroom as much as they impart knowledge inside it.

Role models are people who influence others by serving as examples. They are often admired by the people who emulate them. Through their perceived personal qualities, behaviours, or achievements, they can inspire others to strive and develop without providing any direct instruction. Social scientists have shown that much of learning that occurs during childhood is acquired through observation and imitation. For most children, the most important role models are their parents and caregivers, who have a regular presence in their lives. After these, it is their teachers. Teachers follow students through each pivotal stage of development. At six to eight hours a day, five days a week, you as a teacher are poised to become one of the most influential people in your students’ life. After their parents, children will first learn from you, their primary school teacher. Then, as a middle school teacher, you will guide students through yet another important transition: adolescence. As children become young adults, learning throughout middle school and into high school, you will answer their questions, listen to their problems and teach them about this new phase of their lives. You not only watch your students grow you help them grow.

As a teacher, it is impossible to not model. Your students will see your example – positive or negative – as a pattern for the way life is to be lived.

According to David Streight, executive director of the Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education and a nationally certified school psychologist, we know the following about good role models for children:

The way you act and the kind of model you offer your students constitutes one of the five well-researched practices proven to maximize the chances your students will grow up with good consciences and well-developed moral reasoning skills.

The right kind of modelling can influence how much empathy your students will end up feeling and showing in later life.

The chances of your students growing up to be altruistic – to be willing to act for the benefit of others, even when there are no tangible rewards involved – are better depending on the kinds of role models children grow up with.

Good role models can make lifelong impressions on children, regarding how to act in the difficult situations that they will inevitably face in life.

Role modelling is a powerful teaching tool for passing on the knowledge, skills, and values of the medical profession, but its net effect on the behaviour of students is often negative rather than positive

“ We must acknowledge . . . that the most important, indeed the only, thing we have to offer our students is ourselves. Everything else they can read in a book.” – D C Tosteson

Role models differ from mentors. Role models inspire and teach by example, often while they are doing other things. Mentors have an explicit relationship with a student over time, and they more often direct the student by asking questions and giving advice freely.

Ducharme (1993), Guilfoyle, Hamilton, Placier, and Pinnegar (1995), as well as Regenspan (2002), remind us of the complex dual role of teacher educators. Korthagen, Loughran, and Lunenberg (2005) elaborate on this when they say:

Teacher educators not only have the role of supporting student teachers’ learning about teaching, but in so doing, through their own teaching, model the role of the teacher. In this respect, the teacher education profession is unique, differing from, say, doctors who teach medicine. During their teaching, doctors do not serve as role models for the actual practice of the profession i.e., they do not treat their students. Teacher educators, conversely, whether intentionally or not, teach their students as well as teach about teaching

Being a positive role model requires effort, fore-thought, and self-control for most teachers. Because your students are watching you all the time, your actions, beliefs, and attitudes become integrated into your students’ way of being; therefore, it is very important that you be very intentional about what behaviours you model for your students.

Unfortunately for teachers, the saying “Do as I say, not as I do” simply does not work. Students can sniff out hypocrisy like a blood hound, and they gain the most from teachers who demonstrate consistency between their actions and their values by “walking the talk.”

Students respect adults who live by the rules they preach. Hypocrisy disillusions students and sends them looking for alternative role models to follow.

Model through your own actions. For example, consider how you:

handle stress and frustration

respond to problems

express anger and other emotions

treat other people

deal with competition, responsibilities, loss, mistakes

celebrate special occasions

take care of yourself (what you eat, how much you exercise, balance your commitments)

Your students are not only watching you carefully for clues about how to be; they are also listening to you. The way you speak, what you speak about, and the opinions you express will influence their values.

Consider how you speak to them.

Do you model respect of others through your words and tone of voice?

Do your words indicate respect for differences and tolerance toward all people or do they subtly support lack of acceptance for others different from yourself?

Do you “bully” your students with harsh words and threats when they misbehave, or do you respond with discipline based on respect for your students’ humanity?

Ask yourself what kind of people you want your students to become, and then consider what you can do to model the behaviours and attitudes that would reflect that kind of person. This is another way of saying that it is helpful for you to examine your own values.

For example, do you want your students to:

develop a strong work ethic?

have a generosity of spirit?

have courage?

stand up for their beliefs?

be kind and considerate?

be patient?

be diligent and persistent?

be assertive?

be a contributing member of society?

take good care of their bodies?

be open to new learning? To find pleasure in reading?

If you wish for these traits in your students, then do these things yourself!

You will be a larger influence in your students’ lives if you have a warm and nurturing relationship with them, and your students are more likely to emulate you if they feel close to you and supported by you.

Give them unconditional “love” in a safe environment that also provides consistent, firm, and flexible discipline so they know what is expected of them.

Listen to them without judgment when they are upset. Share your own feelings with them so they get to know you; share some of your choices and decision-making as examples to guide them.

Build a connection with them based on trust so they know they can count on you when they need you, and so that they learn to be trustworthy in return.

Nobody is perfect – neither you nor your students. That means that mistakes will be made. What is most important when mistakes are made is the way you handle the situation.

When you or your students or someone else makes an error:

are you unforgiving or accepting?

do you deal calmly with the situation to resolve it or do you berate the perpetrator?

do you get angry and look for someone to blame or do you assess what has gone wrong and consider what can be learned to avoid a repetition?

If you make a mistake by doing something that you later regret, you can use that as an opportunity to show your students how to handle errors in judgment by:

acknowledging the misstep.

accepting responsibility for your part in it.

apologizing to any hurt parties.

finding ways to make amends.

thinking about what you can do next time so you don’t repeat the error.

These steps are all part of a healthy process of reacting when you mess up. This is the same process you can use if you respond to your students in a way that you later regret.

And what do you do when your students make a mistake? You can:

let them know that mistakes are opportunities for learning and that nobody is perfect.

help them to go through the steps outlined.

have a forgiving and responsible attitude toward making mistakes.

There are no hard and fast rules to being a "good role model" but there are several articles available online for you to read which give some great tips.

Dr. Robyn J.A. Silverman has a fabulous article which details seven ways teachers can make a positive impact (read the full article here ). While there is some variation in every teacher’s definition of what it means to be a good person, the following 7 characteristics of a positive role model remain constant:

Model positive choice-making

Think out loud

Apologise and admit mistakes

Follow through

Show respect

Be well rounded

Demonstrate confidence in who you are

In her article, these seven characteristics are further explained and there is a lot you can take from it. @TeacherToolkit advocates a DECIPHER model in his article "8 Tips For Becoming A Teacher Role Model" which is another excellent read. Marilyn Price-Mitchell, PhD write about 5 qualities that matter as a role model in her article " What is a Role Model? Five Qualities that Matter to Youth ". Clarendon Learning also provide advice on how/why teachers ARE role models in their article and Dr Candice Singh writes Role Model: 4 Tips on How to Be The Best One in Your Students’ Lives .

The Early Career Framework

[Further reading recommendations are indicated with an asterisk.]

Aronson, J. (Ed.) (2002) Improving academic achievement: Impact of psychological factors on education. New York: Academic Press.

Bandura, A. (1986) Social foundations of thought and action: a social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Campbell Collaboration (2018) School-based interventions for reducing disciplinary school exclusion: A Systematic Review. Accessible from: https://campbellcollaboration.org/library/reducing-school-exclusion-school-based-interventions.html .

Chapman, R. L., Buckley, L., & Sheehan, M. (2013) School-Based Programs for Increasing Connectedness and Reducing Risk Behavior: A Systematic Review, 25(1), 95–114.

Chetty, R., Friedman, J. N., Rockoff, J. E. (2014)

Measuring the Impacts of Teachers II: Teacher Value-Added and Student Outcomes in Adulthood. American Economic Review, 104(9), 2633–2679. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.104.9.2633 .

*Education Endowment Foundation (2018) Sutton Trust-Education Endowment Foundation Teaching and Learning Toolkit: Accessible from: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/evidence-summaries/teaching-learning-toolkit [retrieved 10 October 2018].

Hanushek, E. (1992) The Trade-off between Child Quantity and Quality. Journal of Political Economy, 100(4), 859–887.

*Institute of Education Sciences (2008) Reducing Behavior Problems in the Elementary School Classroom. Accessible from https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/PracticeGuide/4

Johnson, S., Buckingham, M., Morris, S., Suzuki, S., Weiner, M., Hershberg, R., B. Weiner, Hershberg, R., Fremont, E., Batanova, M., Aymong, C., Hunter, C., Bowers, E., Lerner, J., & Lerner, R. (2016) Adolescents’ Character Role Models: Exploring Who Young People Look Up to as Examples of How to Be a Good Person. Research in Human Development, 13(2), 126–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427609.2016.1164552

Jussim, L. & Harber, K., (2005) Teacher Expectations and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies: Knowns and Unknowns, Resolved and Unresolved Controversies, Personality and Social Psychology Review 2005, Vol. 9, No. 2, 131–1557.

Lazowski, R. A., & Hulleman, C. S. (2016) Motivation Interventions in Education: A Meta-Analytic Review. Review of Educational Research, 86(2), 602–640. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654315617832 .

Murdock-Perriera, L. A., & Sedlacek, Q. C. (2018) Questioning Pygmalion in the twenty-first century: the formation, transmission, and attributional influence of teacher expectancies. Social Psychology of Education, 21(3), 691–707. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-018-9439-9 .

*PISA (2015) PISA in Focus: Do teacher-student relations affect students’ well-being at school? Accessible from: https://doi.org/10.1787/22260919 .

Paice E, Heard S, Moss F. How important are role models in making good doctors? BMJ 2002;325:707-10. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]

Rathmann K., Herke M., Hurrelmann K., Richter M. (2018) Perceived class climate and school-aged children's life satisfaction: The role of the learning environment in classrooms. PLoS ONE 13(2): e0189335. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189335 .

Ricer RE. Defining preceptor, mentor, and role model. Fam Med 1998;30:328. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]

Rubie-Davies, C. M., Weinstein, R. S., Huang, F. L., Gregory, A., Cowan, P. A., & Cowan, C. P. (2014) Successive teacher expectation effects across the early school years. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 35(3), 181–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2014.03.006 .

Slater, H., Davies, N. M., & Burgess, S. (2011) Do Teachers Matter? Measuring the Variation in Teacher Effectiveness in England. Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0084.2011.00666.x .

Tsiplakides, I. & Keramida, A. (2010) The relationship between teacher expectations and student achievement in the teaching of English as a foreign language. English Language Teaching, 3(2), P22. Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1081569.pdf .

Wubbels, T., Brekelmans, M., den Brok, P., Wijsman, L., Mainhard, T., & van Tartwijk, J. (2014) Teacher-student relationships and classroom management. In E. T. Emmer, E. Sabornie, C. Evertson, & C. Weinstein (Eds.). Handbook of classroom management: Research, practice, and contemporary issues (2nd ed., pp. 363–386). New York, NY: Routledge.

Zins, J. E., Bloodworth, M. R., Weissberg, R. P., & Walberg, H. J. (2007) The Scientific Base Linking Social and Emotional Learning to School Success. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, 17(2–3), 191–210. https://doi.org/10.1080/10474410701413145

High Expectations (Standard 1 – Set
Teaching & Learning

Teachers as Role Models: Shaping The Future with Inspiration

Categories: Teacher Teacher-Student Relationships

About this sample

Words: 599 |

Published: Sep 1, 2023

Words: 599 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Behavior and ethics, values and character development, dedication and impact.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

Expert in: Education

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

4 pages / 1874 words

1 pages / 574 words

2 pages / 934 words

2 pages / 966 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Teacher

What makes a great teacher? Great teachers possess a unique blend of characteristics and skills that enable them to inspire, educate, and empower their students. This essay explores the essential traits of a great teacher and [...]

Teachers should be paid more. This statement reflects a sentiment shared by many who recognize the vital role that educators play in shaping the future of individuals and societies. In a world where education forms the [...]

The partnership between parents and teachers plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational journey of students, providing a solid foundation for their academic and personal growth. This essay explores the significance of the [...]

Should teachers be paid more? This question is at the forefront of discussions surrounding education reform and the value we place on the educators who shape the future of our society. Adequate compensation for teachers is not [...]

All teachers are required to carry out the duties of a school teacher as set out in the current School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document. All teachers should also have due regard to all of the Teacher Standards (2012). [...]

The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct was developed to uphold the application of core values, ideals, and principles to assist teachers” decision-making about ethical issues. The Core Values of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct is [...]

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

Teachers as Role Models

Cite this chapter.

Wayne Martino 3

Part of the book series: Springer International Handbooks of Education ((SIHE,volume 21))

12k Accesses

7 Citations

In this chapter I focus on the discourse of teachers as role models to highlight the conceptual limits of such an explanatory framework for making sense of teachers' lives and their impact on student learning in schools. I stress that the issues sur rounding the call for role models in terms of recruiting more minority and male teachers in schools cannot be treated solely as a representational problem which can be addressed simply by striking the appropriate gender and ethnic balance in the teaching profession (see Latham, 1999). In fact, my argument is that the role model discourse is particularly seductive because it recycles familiar stereotypes about gen der and minorities with the effect of eliding complex issues of identity management and conflict in teachers' lives (see Britzman, 1993; Button, 2007; Griffin, 1991; Martino, in press). Moreover, claims about the potential influence of teachers, on the basis of their gender and/or ethnicity, have not been substantiated in the empiri cal literature. By reviewing significant research in the field, I demonstrate that the familiar tendency to establish a necessary correlation between improved learning and pedagogical outcomes, as a consequence of matching teachers and students on the basis of their gender and/or ethnic backgrounds, cannot be empirically substantiated.

In this sense, my aim is to provide a more informed research based knowledge and analytic framework capable of interrogating the conceptual limits of the role model discourse, particularly as it relates to establishing the potential influence of teachers on students' lives in schools. In addition, in the second part of the chapter I draw attention to the persistence of the role model discourse as a particular gendered phenomenon within the context of the call for male teachers in elementary schools to address the educational and social needs of boys. This discussion is used as a further basis for interrogating the fallacious assumptions informing the teacher role model discourse which has been invoked in response to a moral panic surrounding the crisis of masculinity vis-à-vis the perceived threat of the increasing feminization of elementary schooling (see Lingard & Douglas, 1999; Martino, 2008). In this way, I foreground the extent to which the role model argument has been used to sup port the need for both a gender balanced and a more ethnically and racially diverse teaching profession, while eschewing important political issues pertaining to: (1) the devalued status of doing women's work (Williams, 1993); (2) the significance of teaching for men's sense of their own masculinity and sexuality (Francis & Skelton, 2001; Martino & Kehler, 2006) and; (3) the impact of the social dynamics of racism and sexism on minority teachers' lives (Carrington, 2002; Ehrenberg, Goldhaber, & Brewer, 1995; Pole, 1999).

Minority Student
Hegemonic Masculinity
Moral Panic
Absent Father

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Available as PDF
Read on any device
Instant download
Own it forever
Compact, lightweight edition
Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
Free shipping worldwide - see info
Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Allan, J. (1994). Anomaly as exemplar: The meanings of role-modeling for men elementary teachers . Tri-College Department of Education, Loras College, Iowa.

Google Scholar

Allen, A. (2000). The role model argument and faculty diversity. Available at http://www.onlineethics.org/ CMS/workplace/workplacediv/abstractsindex/fac-diverse.aspx .

Ashley, M. (2003). Primary school boys’ identity formation and the male role model: An exploration of sexual identity and gender identity in the UK through attachment theory. Sex Education , 3 (3), 257–270.

Britzman, D. (1993). Beyond rolling models: Gender and multicultural education. In: S. K. Biklen & D. Pollard (Eds.), Gender and education (pp. 25–42). Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

Button, L. (2007). Gendered discourses surrounding elementary school teachers. PhD Thesis, OISE, The University of Toronto.

Carrington, B., & Skelton, C. (2003). Re-thinking role models: equal opportunities in teacher recruitment in England and Wales. Journal of Educational Policy , 18 (3), 253–265.

Article Google Scholar

Carrington, B. (2002). Ethnicity, ‘role models’ and teaching. Journal of Research in Education , 12 (1), 40–49.

Connell, R. W. (1995). Masculinities . Sydney: Allen & Unwin.

Coulter, R., & McNay, M. (1993). Exploring men's experiences as elementary school teachers. Canadian Journal of Education , 18 (4), 398–413.

Davis, J. (2006). Research at the margin: Mapping masculinity and mobility of African-American high school dropouts. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education , 19 (3), 289–304.

Drudy, S., Martin, M., Woods, M., & O'Flynn, J. (2005). Men and the classroom: Gender imbalances in teaching . London and New York: Routledge.

Editorial. (2007, July 31) The absence of fathers. The Globe and Mail , p. A12.

Ehrenberg, R., Goldhaber, D., & Brewer, D. (1995). Do teachers' race, gender and ethnicity matter? Indus trial and Labor Relations Review , 48 (3), 547–561.

Faludi, S. (1991). Backlash: The undeclared war against women . London: Vintage.

Foster, T., & Newman, E. (2005). Just a knock back? Identity bruising on the route to becoming a male primary school teacher. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice , 11 (4), 341–358.

Francis, B., & Skelton, C. (2001). Men teachers and the construction of heterosexual masculinity in the classroom. Sex Education , 1 (1), 9–21.

Gold, D., & Reis, M. (1982). Male teacher effects on young children: A theoretical and empirical consid eration. Sex Roles , 8 , 493–513.

Griffin, P. (1991). Identity management strategies among lesbian and gay educators. Qualitative Studies in Education , 4 (3), 189–202.

Hoff Sommers, C. (2000, May). The War against boys. The Atlantic Monthly . Available at http://www. theatlantic.com/issues/2000/05/sommers2.htm.

hooks, B. (2004). We real cool: Black men and masculinity . New York and London: Routledge.

House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Training. (2002). Boys' Education: Get ting it Right . Canberra: Commonwealth Government of Australia.

King, J. (1998). Uncommon caring: Learning from men who teach young children . New York: Teachers College Press.

King, J. (2004). The (im)possibility of gay teachers for young children. Theory into Practice , 43 (2), 122–127.

Kumashiro, K. (Ed.). (2001). Troubling intersections of race and sexuality . Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.

Kunjufu, J. (2005). Countering the conspiracy to destroy black boys . Chicago: African American images.

Lahelma, E. (2000). Lack of male teachers: a problem for students or teachers? Pedagogy, Culture and Society , 8 (2), 173–186.

Lam, C. (1996). The green teacher. In D. Thiessen, N. Bascia, I. Goodson (Eds.), Making a difference about difference: The lives and careers of racial minority immigrant teachers (pp. 15–50). Toronto: Garamond Press.

Latham, A, (1999). The teacher-student mismatch. Educational Leadership 56. Available at http://www.nea.org/teachexperience/divk040506.html.

Lingard, B. (2003). Where to in gender theorizing and policy after recuperative masculinity politics? International Journal of Inclusive Education , 7 (1), 33–56.

Lingard, B., & Douglas, P. (1999). Men engaging feminisms: Profeminism, backlashes and schooling . Buckingham: Open University Press.

Lingard, B., Martino, W., Mills, M., & Bahr, M. (2002). Addressing the educational needs of boys . Canberra: Department of Education, Science and Training, http://www.dest.gov.au/schools/publica-tions/2002/boyseducation/index.htm

Lingard, B., Martino, W., & Mills, M. (in press). Boys and school: Beyond structural reform . London, Palgrave.

Martino, W. (2008). Male teachers as role models: Addressing issues of masculinity, pedagogy and the re-masculinization of schooling. Curriculum Inquiry , 38 (2), 189–223.

Martino, W. (in press). ‘The lure of hegemonic masculinity’: Investigating the dynamics of gender relations in two male elementary school teachers' lives. The International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education .

Martino, W., & Berrill, D. (2003). Boys, schooling and masculinities: Interrogating the ‘Right’ way to education boys. Education Review , 55 (2), 99–117.

Martino, W., & Berrill, D. (2007). Dangerous pedagogies: Addressing issues of sexuality, masculinity and schooling with male pre-service teacher education students. In K. Davison & B. Frank (Eds.), Masculinity and schooling: International practices and perspectives (pp. 13–34). Althouse Press: The University of Western Ontario, London.

Martino, W., & Frank, B. (2006). The tyranny of surveillance: Male teachers and the policing of masculini ties in a single sex school. Gender & Education , 18 (1), 17–33.

Martino, W., & Kehler, M. (2006). Male teachers and the ‘boy problem’: An issue of recuperative mascu linity politics. McGill Journal of Education , 41 (2), 1–19.

Martino, W., & Pallotta-Chiarolli, M. (2003). So what's a boy? Addressing issues of masculinity and schooling . Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Mills, M., Martino, W., & Lingard, B. (2007). Getting boys' education ‘right’: The Australian Govern ment's Parliamentary Inquiry Report as an exemplary instance of recuperative masculinity politics. British Journal of Sociology of Education , 28 (1), 5–21.

Mills, M., Martino, W., & Lingard, B. (2004). Issues in the male teacher debate: Masculinities, misogyny and homophobia. The British Journal of the Sociology of Education , 25 (3), 355–369.

Noddings, N. (1992). The challenge to care in schools: An alternative approach to education . New York: Teachers College Press.

Ontario College of Teachers. (2004). Narrowing the gender gap: Attracting men to teaching. Report, Ontario, Canada. Available at http://www.oct.ca/publications/documents.aspx?lang=en-CA

Pepperell, S., & Smedley S. (1998). Call for more men in primary teaching: Problematizing the issues. International Journal of Inclusive Education , 2 (4), 341–357.

Pole, C. (1999). Black teachers giving voice: Choosing and experiencing teaching. Teacher Development , 3 (3), 313–328.

Quiocho, A., & Rios, F. (2000). The power of their presence: Minority group teachers and schooling. Review of Educational Research , 70 , 485–528.

Rowan, L., Knobel, M., Bigum, C., & Lankshear, C. (2002). Boys, literacies and schooling: The dangerous territories of gender-based literacy reform. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Roulston, K., & Mills, M. (2000). Male teachers in feminised teaching areas: Marching to the men's move ment drums. Oxford Review of Education , 26 (1), 221–237.

Sargent, P. (2005). The gendering of men in early childhood education. Sex Roles , 52 (3/4), 251–259.

Skelton, C. (2002). The feminisation of schooling or re-masculinising primary education? International Studies in Sociology of Education , 12 (1), 77–96.

Skelton, C. (2003). Male primary teachers and perceptions of masculinity. Education Review , 55 (2), 195–210.

Skelton, C. (2001). Schooling the boys: Masculinities and primary education . Buckingham: Open Uni versity Press.

Segal, L. (1990). Slow motion, changing masculinities, changing men . London: Virago Press.

Thiessen, D., Bascia, N., & Goodson, I. (1996). Making a difference about difference: The lives and careers of racial minority immigrant teachers . Toronto: Garamond Press.

Williams, C. (1993). Doing “women's work”: men in nontraditional occupations . Newbury Park, London & New Delhi: Sage.

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Faculty of Education, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6G 1G7, Canada

Wayne Martino

You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

Lawrence J. Saha

University of Houston, Houston, USA

A. Gary Dworkin

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

About this chapter

Martino, W. (2009). Teachers as Role Models. In: Saha, L.J., Dworkin, A.G. (eds) International Handbook of Research on Teachers and Teaching. Springer International Handbooks of Education, vol 21. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-73317-3_47

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-73317-3_47

Publisher Name : Springer, Boston, MA

Print ISBN : 978-0-387-73316-6

Online ISBN : 978-0-387-73317-3

eBook Packages : Humanities, Social Sciences and Law Education (R0)

Share this chapter

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Find a journal
Track your research

25 Ways Teachers Can Be Role Models

Reviewed by Jon Konen, District Superintendent

There are many reasons why students think of teachers as role models. One of the biggest reasons is the desire to become a role model for students to look up to, to learn from, and to remember for the rest of their lives. Everyone has felt the power and lasting presence of an effective teacher, who also had a bigger impact. Whether it’s learning the value of community service, discovering a love for a particular subject, or how to tap the confidence to speak in public, teachers are the ones who light the way for us in this world.

Teachers being role models is not a new concept, and has inspired students to go into this field for ages. If you are thinking about becoming a teacher, good for you! We are here to root you on and help you make the right decision. Your next step would be speaking with schools in your area. Luckily, we have relationships with schools in every state with education programs. Just use the simple search function at the top of this page, or browse the listings below.

Before we start talking about things that make us thing of educators as role models, we are well aware this list is not complete. If you have any additional ideas or inspirational stories to share, we would love to hear from you!

teacher standing in front of the classroom teaching students

Here are 25 ways of the importance of teachers

1.) Be humble. There is nothing that teaches a child or young adult mature behavior like modeling it yourself. This isn’t just true when you are right. You also have to show your students what it is like to be wrong, and admit it. This is never easy, no matter how old you are. Especially when you are in front of several students who look up to you. And let’s face it, there are some students who aren’t going to feel sorry for you. But that’s life. And you have to show them that right is right, and wrong is wrong – no matter what.

2.) Encourage them to think for themselves. Treat your classroom like a group of individuals, and celebrate their diversity. Create activities and discussions that foster conversations and discovery about who they are, and how they can appreciate the differences between each other. This type of focus from time-to-time will build a stronger bond between your students. Also, an environment of trust will build, which can relax the atmosphere and help students focus more on learning. It’s also important to help students understand the way they learn, and encourage them to explore those parts of themselves as well.

3.) Perform volunteer work. Find a way to incorporate community service into one of your lessons, and discuss how you contribute to the community you live in. Ask your students to tell you ways you could perform community service as a group. Many schools will give students a certain amount of time off if they are doing an activity that falls into this category. See if you can organize a community service event with your class. For example, if you are a music teacher, you can take your class caroling at a retirement home. Or, you can have your class pick up litter on a stretch of road. There are many ways you can instill a sense of pride in giving back among your students.

4.) Show empathy. When we think of teachers as role models, we imagine sympathetic mentors who listen to their students. Sounds simple, right? All you have to do is show that you care? It may sound simple, but we have all had teachers that we didn’t connect with. Students can tell when a teacher is tuned in or tuned out, and disconnected from them. On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have all had teachers who went out of their way to show they care about us, and want to see us succeed. We all have different personalities, and you should be authentic. But be mindful that your students are looking up to you as an adult with life experience they don’t have. As they try to figure out how to move into adulthood, make sure they know you’ve got their back.

5.) Point out the positive. Create a culture in your classroom that rewards kind behavior. The importance of teachers is apparent in the link between positive reinforcement and their confidence and behavior. Teach them to be constructive with their criticism, pointing out positives before negative, or suggestions for improvement. Practice with exercises that allows the students to be positive and critical towards each other. This is the kind of respect that debate class exercises can teach children – how to agree to disagree. Teaching children to get in the habit of looking for good in others is never a bad role model for behavior.

6.) Celebrate the arts. Teachers being role models by helping students appreciate the arts isn’t the first thing that comes to people’s minds. But helping children connect with their own inner children by tapping into the arts. Even if you do not teach a creative subject, you can incorporate music, discussions about art, and give students artistic assignments that reflect the curriculum they are learning. Mixing it up every once in a while will keep their minds fresh, and encourage them to look at life a little differently. Many students are obsessed with music, art, literature and other forms of creative expression. Give bonus points for students who pursue an independent art project that goes along with a teaching.

7.) Send a positive note home to their parents twice a year. Showing your students that you appreciate them in a direct way is important. But indirect forms of gratitude can be a boost to their confidence, and model positive behavior. Most parents never expect to get a note in their kid’s bag saying what a pleasure they are to have in class. So why not give your kids a boost and let mom and dad know you care? Every parent knows, we just want our kids to do well and succeed, no matter where they are in life. This will help your relations with them as well. And we have a feeling your students will appreciate any effort you make to let their parents know they’re doing alright.

8.) Fulfill your promises. Hey, remember last fall when you said you would buy the class a turtle if they earned all those stars? Well, it’s been six months since they earned em and school is almost over… Okay, don’t be that teacher. We’re all busy. Even your students. That’s why you need to follow through on your promises when you make them. We don’t want to them to think it’s okay to say one thing, and then completely disregard it. And if you fail to keep a particular promise, be honest about it. Don’t make up an excuse. And try to make up for it. Your students will see how to deal with their own shortcomings, and will respect you more for your honesty.

9.) Dress appropriately. Look, we know how young and hip you still are. No one wants to be uncool. But teachers being role models means remembering you are in a professional environment. And it’s not your job to fit in with the cool kids. It’s your job to stand at the head of the class and foster a sense of mutual respect. After all, you want to model professional behavior for your students from day one. This will help with classroom management issues. Dressing in a professional way will keep students from thinking of you in a less respectful way. This goes for cleanliness and hygiene as well. Just make sure you take your job seriously when you show up. This is not only good to model for your students, but important in the eyes of your principal and other administrators as well.

10.) Stay away from social media with students. Educators as role models on social media is a new and important topic. Do not mix on social media with your students. And be careful what you have out there on your personal accounts. We are all too familiar with the stories of teachers and other professionals doing something unprofessional and getting fired for it. Have a policy to connect with students on the channels that your school sets up for you. Remember, parents are looking at you as well, and know that you are in a role model position with their children. When you post on social media, just realize that your students’ parents could see your words as well. Just be careful.

11.) Encourage physical activity. The importance of teachers extends to the physical fitness of their students. It doesn’t matter if every student is inclined to be physically active. Encouraging physical activity is good for all groups of students. Even if you do not teach a physical education class, you can still talk about physical activities when you lecturing or performing other activities. Even weaving the topic into your lectures or conversations can help plant the seeds in students’ minds that they should look for ways to exercise.

12.) Give lectures about role models. When you are discussing a period in history, or introducing a new subject to your students, find a way to incorporate a hero story into the lesson. For instance, if you are going to talk about French history and the Hundred Years War, you would talk about the bravery of Joan of Arc. Or you could find stories about other unlikely heroes, and those who shaped history. When you do, have your students discuss ways they can be heroes in their own lives. Even if it’s just stepping up in small ways to help others or do things they didn’t think possible.

13.) Have them read Profiles in Courage. When we think of teachers as role models, we think of the classic novels and literature they shared with us. John F. Kennedy’s Nobel Prize winning book chronicles the acts of courage by several figures throughout American history. These characters were brave enough to make tough choices in hard times, putting their country before themselves, and their personal safety. Other books can be great options, such as To Kill A Mockingbird or movies like Good Will Hunting, when you want to give your kids a break, and teach them a lesson in doing the right thing. Being a good role model for kids means showing them how to point their moral compass in the right direction no matter what. The importance of teachers cannot be overstated when it comes to reading.

14.) Hold a fundraiser. Pick a local charity and tell your students you have a goal to raise a certain amount of money within a certain period of time. You will all make a game of raising the most money and giving it to a charity. It can even be a non-organized charity. Let’s say you hear about someone in your community who lost their home to a fire. You could raise the money and give them a gift card or something they may need. There are all sorts of ways you can incorporate the idea of fundraising and charity. Be sure to include all your students in the process somehow. These types of exercises can also help give them leadership and business skills.

15.) Discuss world events. Every Monday, or on some kind of schedule, spark discussions about world events. See what they know, and ask questions that make them think. Teachers being role models includes showing students how to make sense of the world, and express different ideas in a peaceful way. This can model for students how they should act when they speak with others, and how to actively listen to other points of view. Many students will not have heard about some of the events you are speaking about. Don’t let them sit back quietly. Find ways to involve them too, by asking questions that can draw them in.

16.) Have a pot luck. Every once in a while, have a meal with your students that celebrates you time together. Yes, food is another way students can see educators as role models. So have fun with this one. After all, we all love food! Tell your students that they are welcome to bring a dish from home, or you can provide a cheap set of snacks. This can be a good way to talk about cooking with your students. Many kids aren’t involved in with the cooking at their homes. Some parents teach their kids about food, but it’s probably the exception, not the norm. So, be that teacher that shows them that they can learn to cook and eat healthy foods. You can show them that good food can also be good for you!

17.) Work extracurricular activities. When your students see you working outside of the classroom to help your school function, it says you go the extra mile. It also shows that you have a strong work ethic, and you are doing a job that you’re passionate about. That is the kind of feeling you want your students to have from their careers later in life. Show them that you enjoy your job, and it will pay off in the classroom. And, if you were once a star athlete and have coaching skills, you can be a role model for the students playing sports in a similar way.

18.) Be organized and on time. You want to present yourself in a professional way as much as possible. This means more than looking the part and acting the part, it means being the part. The best way you can show your students how to execute their work is to show up on time and be ready to teach. Plus, if you have a clear vision for how you want the lesson to go, then you will be more effective in delivering your message.

19.) Practice random acts of kindness. Here’s an idea for teachers as role models: How about you put an apple on every one of your students’ desks on the first day of school? How would that be for a proactive show of appreciation from the get-go with your class. That would also put them on notice that you are the type of teacher who will surprise them from time to time. This teaches children to go out of their way to show appreciate – even if it’s just for the heck of it.

20.) Ask for input. You know that suggestion box that companies sometimes have for employees to make recommendations? These can be ideas for lectures, field trips, and other things the students think may add to the learning environment. The importance of teachers in showing students how to participate in conversations is essential to their growth. Giving them a feeling of ownership and participation in the class decisions and idea generating process will give them a sense of pride they may not have otherwise; especially if you agree to test their idea out.

21.) Apply democratic ideals to class discussions. Just because your students may not be old enough to vote, doesn’t mean they can’t get a feel for our democratic processes. Teachers being role models to show how our democracy works can be a great lesson for students. Hold votes on decisions that reflect discussions you are having on topics to see where people stand. Then encourage debate and explain to them how our system is supposed to work. No matter where your students might fall on the political spectrum, you can set a good example by engaging them with our core values.

22.) Invite guest lecturers. Find role models in the community that do good work, or perform some kind of public service. This can be small business owners, individuals, city officials, and other notable figures who can inspire the children to do good in their lives. Plus, it’s always fun for students to learn from other people than just their own teacher. Kids need lots of role models in their lives. Plus, whoever you invite will get to share a personal story from their life, or show them how they work in their profession. There are just too many reasons why this can be a great idea!

23.) Make them keep journals. You can inspire your students to understand that it helps to keep track of your thoughts as a way of organizing your goals, connecting with your feelings, and making sense of the world around you. Your students will improve on their own communication skills through their writing practice, and have a safe space to explore their thoughts, during an otherwise hectic daily routine. When you teach students to understand themselves a little better, they will start to see educators as role models.

24.) Start a class garden. Many schools have room for classes to start their own small garden. If not, check with your county office to see if there is any land available where you can make a community garden. This can teach students about growing food, and how people have to work together to sustain our standards of living.

25.) Make them give a presentation on one of their role models. Lastly, have your students think about what makes a good role model, and present their findings to the class. It can be a famous example, or anyone who inspires your student to present. Try not to create too many rules for your students to abide by. See where their minds go, and what qualities they associate with the term.

In what ways do you think you can be a role model to your students?

There must be a million ways teachers can be stand-up role models for their students. Surely, you have a few bouncing around in your head, right? If so, share them with us on social media. Or, leave a comment below.

If you’re ready to learn more about making an impact in students’ lives as a teacher, just use our directory of schools to find out more about programs near you. All you have to do is choose your state to narrow your options.

BSW Scholarships
How to Transition to a Social Work Career
Social Worker Salary and Jobs in Social Work
Is a Master of Social Work MSW Really Worth It?
Social Worker Resource Guide
Doctor of Social Work Salary and Careers
How to Become a School Superintendent
Faculty Interview: Dr. Lee Nabb, Morehead State University
Scholarships for Doctor of Education (EdD) Students
What is a Terminal Degree?
Is It Worth Getting a Doctorate in Education (EdD)?
Faculty Interview: Tracy Caddell, Ball State University
Doctor of Education EdD Salary and Career Outlook
EdD vs. PhD
What is Organizational Change?
Faculty Interview: Michael Poe, Northwest Nazarene University
How to Transition to a Teaching Career
Applying for Your Master’s
Preparing for Your Interview
Crafting Your Resume
How to Write a Personal Statement
How to Get the Right References
Is a Master of Teaching Worth It?
The Ultimate Guide to the Praxis® Tests
Finance your Teaching Education
Online Master of Arts in Teaching – TESOL Programs
HBCU Undergraduate Scholarships Guide
Librarian Resource Guide
Explore Librarian Salary, Jobs, and Careers in Library Science
Online Master of Science in Teaching
Online Master of Education Programs
Our Guide to Entry-Level Nursing
What Type of Nurse Should You Be?
Guide to Transitioning RN to MSN Programs
What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s in Public Health?
Bachelor of Public Health Scholarships and Grants
Kinesiology and Exercise Science Salaries
How to Make a Career Change from Teaching to Speech Pathology
Speech Pathology School Scholarships
How to Get into Speech Pathology School
ASHA Certification for Speech-Language Pathologists
Is a Master’s in Speech Pathology Really Worth It?
Professional Development Guide for Speech Pathologists
What Speech Pathology Students Should Do Before Graduating
Speech-Language Pathologist Resume Guide
Speech-Language Pathology Job Interview Guide
Speech Pathologist Resource Guide
Speech Pathologist Salary and Career Outlook
What Is an AGACNP?
What Is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Guide to Making a Career Change to Nursing
How To Get Into Nursing School
Is Nursing School Really Worth It?
Nursing Salary by State
Nursing Resources
Which Nursing Degree Is Right for Me?
Types of Nursing Degrees
Nursing School Scholarships
Explore Midwife Salary, Jobs, and Careers in Midwifery
What is a Midwife
The 2022 Guide to Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs
Nursing Careers Infographic
Nurse Practitioner Career & Salary
Our Guide to APRN License and Certification
NP vs DNP: Nurse Practitioner vs Doctor of Nursing Practice
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Registered Nurse vs. Nurse Practitioner
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner ACNP Salary and Careers
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner WHNP Salary and Careers
Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs (PMHNP)
Occupational Therapy Salary and Career Outlook
Scholarships for Occupational Therapy Students
How to Get into Occupational Therapy School
Is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy Worth It?
What is Occupational Therapy?
What Is the Difference Between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy?
What Is Physical Therapy?
How to Get Into Physical Therapy School
Is a Doctor of Physical Therapy DPT Really Worth It?
Physical Therapy Careers and Salaries
How to Make a Career Transition to Physical Therapy
Chiropractor vs. Physical Therapist
Physical Therapy Scholarships
What’s the Difference Between a Physician Assistant and a Doctor?
Scholarships for Physician Assistant PA Students
Physician Assistant vs. Nurse Practitioner: What Are the Differences?
Physician Assistant Salary, Jobs and Career Path
How to Become a Physician Assistant
How to Get Into PA School
Is a Physician Assistant PA Degree Really Worth It?
Physician Assistant Certification Guide
Pharmacy Doctorate Salary and Career Outlook
How to Get into Pharmacy (PharmD) School
Master of Health Informatics Career and Salary
Master of Public Health Salary and Career Outlook
Online Master’s in Health Administration Programs (MHA)
Top Paying Healthcare Careers
Bachelor of Psychology Scholarships
Digital Resources for Students with Autism – Helpful for Teachers and Parents
What is a Functional Behavior Assessment?
What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?
Applied Behavior Analysis ABA Scholarships
Psychologist Salary and Career Outlook
Types of Psychology Degrees
Clinical Psychologist Careers and Salary
Marriage and Family Therapist Salary and Jobs for MFT Careers
Behavioral Psychology
Counseling Skills and Techniques
Is a Master’s in Counseling Worth It?
25 Counseling Scholarships for Graduate Students
School Psychologist vs School Counselor
Bullying Resources for Educators and Parents
The Comprehensive College Planning Resource
School Counselor Certification Guide
Resources for School Counselors
School Counselor Salary and Career Outlook
LMHC vs. LCSW
How to Become a Counselor
Mental Health Counselor Salary and Career Outlook
MPA vs MPH: Which Degree is Best for You?
MPA vs. International Relations
MPA vs. MPP
Masters in Business Administration (MBA) vs. Masters of Public Administration (MPA)
Is an MPA Degree Really Worth It?
MPA Careers and Salaries
Master of Public Administration MPA Scholarships
Online Masters in Urban Planning Programs
What Can I Do With an International Relations Degree?
International Relations Salary and Career Paths
How to Make a Career Transition to Financial Planner
Can You Change Careers with an MBA
MBA Concentrations Guide
Online MBA in Financial Planning Programs
Find Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Programs
Find Online MBA in Marketing Programs
Find Online MBA in Business Analytics Programs
Find Online MBA in Finance Programs
MBA or CFA: Which Is Better for a Finance Career
How to Get Into Business School
MBA or JD: Which Is the Better Career Path?
Is an MBA Degree Really Worth It? Decide Here
Explore MBA Salary, Jobs, and Careers in Business
MBA Scholarships
Bachelor’s of Business Scholarships
What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s in Business and Management?
What Can You Do with a Bachelor’s in Marketing?
Bachelor of Marketing Scholarships
Is a Master of Accounting Worth It?
Accountant Salary and Career Outlook
Guide to Transition into an Accounting Career
Master’s in HR Salary and Career Outlook
How to Break into Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management Salary and Career Outlook
Online Master’s in Management and Leadership
Online Master’s in Finance Programs
Explore Our LSAT Study Guide
How to Get into Law School
How to Study for the Bar Exam
Is a JD Really Worth It?
MPA vs JD: Which Is Better?
Is a Master of Legal Studies Worth It?
Online Master’s in Taxation Law Programs
Online Master of Laws LLM Programs
Online Master of Legal Studies in Compliance Programs
What You Can Do with a Bachelor’s in Communications
Bachelor of Communications Scholarships
Online Master of Communication Management Programs
Master’s in Communications Salary and Careers
Is a Communications Degree Worth It?
How to Become a Communications Director
How to Become an Architect
Guide to Online Economics Certificates and Courses
How to Become a Public Policy Analyst
Public Policy Analyst Salary and Job Outlook
Guide to Online Sustainability Certificates and Short Courses
Data Science Salary and Career Outlook
Is a Data Science Degree Worth It?
Online Business Management Courses
How to Become a Finance Manager
Finance Salary and Careers
Web Developer Salary and Career Paths
How to Become a Cyber Security Specialist
Guide to Cybersecurity Salaries and Careers
AI Engineer Salary and Career Outlook
How to Become an AI Engineer
How to Become a Blockchain Developer
Systems and IT Salary and Career Outlook
Online Human Resources HR Courses
How to Become a Project Manager
Project Manager Salary and Career Outlook
Become a Marketing Manager
Is a Marketing Degree Worth It?
Marketing Salary and Careers
Online Healthcare Courses
Online Nutrition Courses
Online Education Courses
Online Business Negotiations Courses
Online Leadership Courses
Online Conflict Resolution Courses
Become a Data Analyst
Online Real Estate Courses
What is an HBCU?
Reasons to Choose a Degree From an HBCU
Teaching Methods
Learning Styles
Testing Effect
School Media
Motivating Students
Dropout Prevention
Teachers Care
Grants for Teachers
Teacher Appreciation
Debra Rose Howell
Dr. David Lazerson
Dr. Penny Ferguson
Genein Letford
Lynne Kesselman
Susan Evans
Valerie Kibler
How To Become a Lawyer Online
How to Become a Principal
Guide to Becoming a Doctor of Social Work
Masters Degree Program Accreditation
Teacher Certification Tests (The Praxis and Beyond)
Teacher Salary, Career and Benefits Guide
Summer Vacation for Teachers
Teaching STEM
Teaching Art
Teaching Music
Teaching Gifted Education
Teaching Social Studies
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL)
Teaching English and Language Arts
Teaching Special Education
Teacher Shortage Areas by State
How To Become an Online Teacher
Become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor
How to Become a School Counselor
LMHC Licensure Guide for Mental Health Counselors
What does an LMHC do?
Become a Psychologist
How to Become a Clinical Psychologist
What Does a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) Do?
Become a Behavior Analyst
How to Become a Pediatric Nurse
Become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
How to Become a Pharmacist
Become a Speech Pathologist
Become a Physical Therapist
How to Become an Occupational Therapist
Become a Registered Nurse (RN)
Become a Nurse Practitioner
Become a Nurse Midwife
Become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse APRN
How to Become a Business Consultant
Become an Accountant
Become a Human Resources Specialist
Become a Public Administrator
Become a Librarian

Teach.com / What Do Teachers Do? / Teachers Are Role Models

Teachers Are Role Models

A role model is a person who inspires and encourages us to strive for greatness, live to our fullest potential and see the best in ourselves. A role model is someone we admire and someone we aspire to be like. We learn through them, through their commitment to excellence and through their ability to make us realize our own personal growth. We look to them for advice and guidance.

A role model can be anybody: a parent, a sibling, a friend but some of our most influential and life-changing role models are teachers.

My Teacher, My Hero

When you think of the type of teacher you’d like to be, who comes to mind? The math teacher that helped you conquer fractions? The English teacher who wrote great comments on your stories? The teacher that helped you discover a new sport, hobby, talent–or maybe even nudged you down your current career path?

Interested in developing your skills as a teacher? Explore online education short courses designed to give you an in-depth understanding of various skills in teaching.

Those are the teachers we’re celebrating through our YouTube channel, My Teacher, My Hero . Together, we’re paying homage to the teachers that have played such an integral part in shaping our lives, and to their importance in shaping the next generation of educators.

“When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” — Marlene Canter, My Teacher My Hero

Teachers follow students through each pivotal stage of development. At six to eight hours a day, five days a week, you as a teacher are poised to become one of the most influential people in your students’ life. After their parents, children will first learn from you, their elementary school teacher . Then, as a middle school teacher , you will guide students through yet another important transition: adolescence. As children become young adults, learning throughout middle school and into high school , you will answer their questions, listen to their problems and teach them about this new phase of their lives. You not only watch your students grow you help them grow.

“We think of teacher-heroes that taught us the academics but we don’t often think of those teachers that taught us life’s lessons.” — Maria Wale, My Teacher My Hero

Much of what students learn from their greatest teachers is not detailed on a syllabus. Teachers who help us grow as people are responsible for imparting some of life’s most important lessons. During their initial school years, students encounter, perhaps for the first time, other children of the same age and begin to form some of their first friendships. As a teacher, you will show your students how to become independent and form their own relationships, you will carefully guide them and intervene when necessary. School is as much a place of social learning as academic learning, and this is true, not only in our early years of education, but all the way through college. Armed with a supportive and well-educated administration , there is no limit to the influence a teacher can have on one, or many, students’ lives. Though a teacher’s influence on the social sphere of school lessens as students mature, those early lessons still have an effect on how they will interact with others in the future.

Teachers are founts of experience. They have already been where their students are going, undergone what they will go through and are in a position to pass along lessons, not only regarding subject matter, but lessons on life.

Meet Great Teachers

Teach.com has been speaking with award-winning teachers from across the country to hear their stories and, hopefully, find out a bit about what it is exactly that makes them great. If you are currently a teacher or thinking about becoming a teacher, take a look at some of the Teacher Profiles below to learn a bit more about what can make a teacher great.

Valerie Kibler, High School English and Journalism
Lynne Kesselman, High School Computer Technology
Dr. David Lazerson, “Dr. Laz”, Special Education
Dr. Penny Ferguson, 11th grade English
Lisa Wells, Early Childhood Education
Genein Letford, Elementary School Music
Debra Rose Howell, 4th, 5th and 6th grade — Multiage Education
Susan Evans, Kindergarten

Feeling inspired? Take these next steps:

Click over to our YouTube Channel to watch the rest of our My Teacher My Hero series.
Then, upload your own video with the tag “MyTeacherMyHero” to share your story.

Have a teacher you’d like to talk about? Submit a video!

Here’s how: Take a video of yourself discussing your favorite teacher. You can use the below prompts to get your wheels turning.

1. Choose an example of how your teacher changed your way of thinking or acting.

Did your teacher encourage you to take risks? To overcome self-defeating thoughts or behavior? Did he or she help you speak up more in class, or have more patience with solving problems?

2. Tell us how these changes have influenced your life’s direction.

Did they help you uncover a unique talent, or steer you away from a dangerous life path? How did this change your eventual direction in life?

3. Share an interesting story.

Sometimes actions speak louder than words. And your story doesn’t have to be serious! A teacher’s impact often shines through the most.

And of course, remember to say thank you! Watch the rest of the My Teacher, My Hero series on YouTube.

Earn an Ed.D. from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College

Pursue an Ed.D. online from top-ranked Vanderbilt University Peabody College. Master degree or 30 credit hours of graduate-level study required. Build advanced leadership skills in as few as 3 years.

Become an influential leader in your organization
Part-time or full-time schedules available
Complete your Ed.D. in as little as three years

info SPONSORED

Teachers Change Lives

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Meet top uk universities from the comfort of your home, here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

School Education /

Essay on Teacher: Our Friend, Philosopher and Guide in 100, 250 & 300 Words

Updated on
Mar 22, 2024

Teachers are like the guiding stars in our educational journey. They shine our path with knowledge and encouragement. A teacher is a person who helps us learn and grow. They are the ones who guide us through our education and help us to become the best versions of ourselves. Teachers come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: they are passionate about teaching. In this blog, we’ll explore the enchanting role of teachers through the eyes of a student, celebrating their invaluable contributions to our lives.

This Blog Includes:

Why are teachers important, sample essay on teacher in 100 words, sample essay on teacher in 250 words, sample essay on teacher in 300 words.

Teachers help mould today’s youth into the responsible adults of tomorrow. What teachers teach the children at their young age, makes an impact on the students that stays with them for the rest of their lives.

The power of moulding the next generation into great leaders lies in the hands of teachers. This holds the potential of uplifting the society in the near future. Indirectly, teachers are the key to transforming millions of lives all around the globe.

A teacher is a person who helps us understand ourselves. They are the supporters who help us through tough times. Teachers are important because they help us to become the best versions of ourselves. They are like superheroes with the power to ignite our curiosity and help us grow. They teach us numbers, alphabets, and fascinating stories. They are patient listeners, ready to answer our questions and wipe away our doubts. They inspire us to dream big and show us that with hard work, we can achieve anything. A teacher’s love is like a warm hug that makes learning exciting and enjoyable.

Also Read: Teacher Self Introduction to Students and Samples

Teachers are magical beings who turn the pages of our books into captivating adventures. Teachers create colorful classrooms where learning becomes joyous. Their dedication is seen when they explain complex problems in simple ways and solve problems in math and science. With smiles on their faces, they teach us history, nurture our creativity through art, music, and storytelling, and help us express our feelings and thoughts.

Apart from books, teachers also impart life lessons. They teach us to be kind, respectful, and responsible citizens. They show us the value of friendship and the importance of helping others. Teachers celebrate our achievements, no matter how small, and cheer us on during challenges.

A teacher is a person who has a profound impact on our lives. They are the ones who teach us the things we need to know to succeed in life, both academically and personally. They are also there to support us and help us through tough times.

There are many different qualities that make a good teacher. Some of the most important qualities include patience, understanding, and a love of teaching. Good teachers are also able to connect with their students and make learning fun. A good teacher can make a real difference in a student’s life. They can help students develop their talents and abilities, and they can also help them to become confident and self-motivated learners.

Rajshree Lahoty

Connect With Us

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today.

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

January 2024

September 2024

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Have something on your mind?

Make your study abroad dream a reality in January 2022 with

India's Biggest Virtual University Fair

Essex Direct Admission Day

Why attend .

Don't Miss Out

Home / Essay Samples / Education / Teacher / Teacher as a Role Model: an Example of a Great Teacher

Teacher as a Role Model: an Example of a Great Teacher

Category: Life , Education
Topic: Role Models , Teacher

Pages: 2 (739 words)

Downloads: -->

--> ⚠️ Remember: This essay was written and uploaded by an--> click here.

Found a great essay sample but want a unique one?

are ready to help you with your essay

You won’t be charged yet!

Graduation Essays

Scholarship Essays

College Education Essays

Special Education Essays

Related Essays

We are glad that you like it, but you cannot copy from our website. Just insert your email and this sample will be sent to you.

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Your essay sample has been sent.

In fact, there is a way to get an original essay! Turn to our writers and order a plagiarism-free paper.

samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->

Teachers as Role Models

Recent Posts

Teachers as Role Models: Shaping The Future with Inspiration

Table of contents

Cite this Essay

Related Essays

Still can’t find what you need?

Related Essays on Teacher

Related Topics

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

Teachers as Role Models

Access this chapter

Author information

Editor information

Rights and permissions

Copyright information

About this chapter

Download citation

Share this chapter

25 Ways Teachers Can Be Role Models

Here are 25 ways of the importance of teachers

Teachers Are Role Models

My Teacher, My Hero

Meet Great Teachers

Sponsored Online Programs

Earn an Ed.D. from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Essay on Teacher: Our Friend, Philosopher and Guide in 100, 250 & 300 Words

This Blog Includes:

Rajshree Lahoty

Connect With Us

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today.

Need help with?

Country Preference

Which English test are you planning to take?

When are you planning to take the exam?

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

What is your budget to study abroad?

Make your study abroad dream a reality in January 2022 with

Essex Direct Admission Day

Teacher as a Role Model: an Example of a Great Teacher

Related Essays