By: Todd Long
Submitted: 2011-08-23 05:30:51 | Word Count: 493
For every educator or counselor who teaches character education, the greatest asset may well be their life experiences. Many feedbacks that we receive from students show that they like their teacher's personal illustration, the best. They always like their teachers to teach them a personal curriculum rather than an impersonal one. Students would like listen to thrills and agonies that happened in their teacher's life.
Distinguish appropriate events from inappropriate events
Being authentic does not mean that each teacher's life should be an open book. If it is treated like wise, it could harm their reputation. Hence, you should distinguish appropriate chapters than can be shared with your students from the inappropriate ones.
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Share and discuss your weaknesses
Before you start doing that, identify what weakness you can appropriately share and discuss with your students. Each and every teacher, by virtue of their instincts always wants to impress their students. However, you should understand that most students are well aware of their shortcomings and obviously they will be delighted to know yours too and would be more delighted to know that you are still been able to succeed in life. It is always recommended to teach them to identify their weakness or shortcomings and tell them how you had overcame such situations or you had handled your self-esteem. Help them to identify their shortcomings like, struggles with studies, relationships, feelings of inadequacy, etc. This will definitely help them to find strength through their weaknesses. Win their hearts with your weakness.
Share and discuss your strengths
It is less likely to come across as being arrogant by sharing and discussing your strengths soon after you shared your weakness among your students. It's always a good practice to discuss and share your strengths like how you disciplined yourself to complete graduate school, how you choose friends and also how you overcame temptations that might have set you back.
Share and discuss your success and failures
Every one's life is a mix of success and failures. Let your students learn how your failures have paved the road to your success.
As a teacher, the best ever compliment that you may ever receive will be from your student who says, "Thanks for showing me the way how to live." By sharing and discussing your personal struggles, defeats and victories, they will learn that, changing life is possible even for ordinary people.
Academic instruction isn't the only responsibility teachers have in today's classrooms. More and more, teachers are being called on to teach students about values ... things like making good decisions, the showing of respect, taking responsibility, choosing friends, and having a positive attitude. It's a responsibility that could be overwhelming, considering the limited hours available in a school day, the number of kids in the classroom, and the diversity of backgrounds and personalities each child represents.
Character Education by Just Do The Right Thing" is a practical and powerful tool that equips educators to tackle values training with confidence.
