Role of Educators: Teaching as a Mission
Education is the mother of all professions. This motto continues to inspire countless educators around the world, who tirelessly serve the industry with commitment and enthusiasm. Being a teacher is to be a role model, be an inspiration for students. Within teaching as a mission essay the role of educator is analysed as educators influence the lives of students in a positive and profound way. They shape your thoughts and lay a solid foundation for your future professional careers.
Most educators don't do it for money, but rather see teaching as a mission. As agents of social change, they believe that their profession forces them to go beyond their responsibilities. They said that they were very pleased and gratified to see the success of previous students in their respective spheres of influence and major contributions to society. It is no exaggeration to say that almost all successful people are attributed to their educators, who are always there and helpful. In the South African context, the role of educators is somewhat demanding, as the curriculum has been reconfigured to promote some key constitutional principles. Educators must ensure that they teach students the importance of key social issues, such as racial reconciliation, social cohesion, social justice, and democratic values.
Although educators are passionate and eager to implement the prescribed curriculum, the actual realities and challenges they encounter in the classroom every day make it difficult for them to achieve these goals. Educators face many socio-economic challenges every day, such as poverty, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy, overcrowding, weak infrastructure, and other related challenges that directly affect students' educational performance. Two recent violent incidents have highlighted the difficulties that educators must cope with: in Zeerust in the northwest, a student stabbed his teacher to death, and in Mpumalanga, another student assaulted a school bus while the vehicle was driving driver. Not only are educators traumatized, but they feel that they cannot meaningfully intervene to resolve these situations because their training does not provide them with the necessary skills to do so. Finally, they will feel distracted, overwhelmed, and overworked; leading to emotional and psychological exhaustion. A teacher summed it up like this: “Being an educator in South Africa requires you to be a policeman, nurse, social worker or lawyer, etc. They all become one”.
The different roles in the education sector agree that the widespread violence of students in schools reflects deeper social ills. They believe this indicates that the family structure has collapsed and that these effects have spread to the school environment. They called on all the main participants, especially parents, to stand up and lead their children. Basic Education Ministry spokesman Elijah Mhlanga was recently quoted as saying that school violence is a social problem that 'needs everyone to do their part to solve it. Parents should educate their children that there are other ways to resolve conflicts,' he said. . . Mulanga said parents should teach their children the values respecting themselves, others and their living environment, adding that disciplinary action should be taken against all those involved in violent incidents. Basil Manuel, executive director of the National Organization of Vocational Teachers of South Africa, echoed Mhlanga's views. He said: 'Our children's lives are full of violence, whether at home or on the street; as a country, we have never dealt with the violent past and the impact of social violence on our children.' But there is a view that when condemning students who engage in violent behavior, we should also ask ourselves the factors that trigger such behavior. These antisocial behaviors are believed to signal children for help; they reflect the severe emotional and psychological upheaval that is causing the students involved. These can be caused by different family settings, where children are exposed to violence, sexual assault, alcohol and drug abuse, etc. Children who often witness these abnormalities are prone to emotional and mental instability, which is usually manifested through violent behavior. According to experts, these children need a comprehensive approach to intervention, including emotional and psychosocial support. Currently, schools are unable to adequately address the causes of violence. Although some schools have received psychological services from the government, they are not considered consistent or effective because they are not school-based. One of the suggestions to curb the increase in student violence at school includes after-school recreational activities. Participating in these activities can promote the growth and personal development of students, develop social and life skills, attract students to participate in a constructive way, and also promote students' identification with the school.
There is also a suggestion that the government continue to strengthen its intervention programs, such as the school meal plan, and increase the number of psychologists, social workers, and school counselors to solve the problem of poverty and provide material support for poor students. Higher education institutions also need to review and design their courses in such a way to train future teachers how to effectively deal with these extracurricular challenges that paralyze teaching. Another recommendation involves strengthening the provision of continuous professional development and training programs for teachers. These programs also need to be constantly reviewed to ensure that educators stay relevant and improve their skills by learning new and innovative forms of high-quality teaching.
To go further and in accordance with current global changes educator training must go beyond improving their curriculum teaching skills and content knowledge. Educators must enrich the teaching experience of students in the classroom through the acquisition and use of the latest technology, and prepare for the fourth industrial revolution. In general, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is believed to have a profound socio-economic impact on a global scale; South Africa's education sector must take advantage of it. One way to achieve this goal is through comprehensive ICT strategies and methods aimed at improving pedagogy, promoting 21st century skills. This will strengthen personalized learning and peer collaboration to address learning gaps. By incorporating ICT into the delivery of the course, this will enhance the content knowledge of students and educators. This method can only be successful through provision; and access to relevant ICT platforms. This can only be achieved through a shared vision and the promotion of partnerships and cooperation between the public and private sectors, civil society and trade unions.
