Experts say a teacher has many roles, and that there’s a lot more to teaching than just passing on information during the day’s lesson! Educators are best known for the role of teaching the students that are placed in their care. However, teachers serve other purposes. For instance, they monitor their classrooms, build a healthy environment, nurture students, and become role models, among other things. Experts also believe that teachers, even with exceptional skills, should continue to develop as professionals, and learn how to take on as many roles as possible. Faustin Mutabazi, the chief executive officer at Educational Consultancy Bureau, an organisation that supports education and curriculum activities in Kigali, says in this era, it’s important for a teacher not to focus on teaching only. Instead, he says, they should be facilitators of student learning and creators of productive classroom environments, in which students can develop the skills they might need at present or in the future. Mutabazi notes that the most important role teachers should play on top of teaching is supporting their learners in everything. He explains that when learning, students will definitely need support, especially when learning a new skill. Mutabazi says that teachers should step in as the support system when students need help. However, he notes that though support comes in many forms, such as a coaching, leadership and even counselling, a teacher should know when and how to play a certain role at the right time. Nelson Mukasa, the director of Children and Youth Sports Organization in Rwanda, says one of the biggest roles a teacher has to play is that of a mentor. He says young people look up to teachers for everything; therefore, teaching alone won’t help when it comes to moulding their lives. Meanwhile, Mukasa points out that a teacher should also play the role of a coach. A coach, he says, is not just for sports, but also a great assist to learners involved in project work or self-study, especially in higher learning. “When a teacher plays the coaching role, it’s easy to provide advice and guidance in whichever area, and this will help them simplify ideas and limit tasks,” he says. He adds that this role can be a great way to pay individual attention to students, and also allow a teacher to make the course fit specific student needs. Moreover, Mukasa says this role helps students develop a sense of self-reliance, making it easier for them to work on their own. Mutabazi notes that teachers should be there for all students — willing to help them in different areas, not just school work. He goes on to add that as leaders, teachers should take on extra tasks, such as leading different meetings in schools, especially those involving parents, teachers and students. He explains that when this is done by a teacher, it’s easy for them to understand the purpose of the meeting, therefore, providing any kind of assistance won’t be a big deal to them. He adds that teachers should get involved in various activities, and not just stick to teaching. Such goals will be beneficial to all at the end of the day. Another important aspect when it comes to the role of teachers, Mathias Nkeeto, a mathematics teacher at Green Hills Academy, says, is learning how to listen to students. He says a teacher must fill this role because in a profession like this, they is always something new to learn. Nkeeto further explains that learners are always growing in life, and nobody knows everything; therefore, it’s the role of educators to be challenged every day in ways that will help them grow into even better teachers. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
