(Author’s Full Name)
(Institution Name)
In his book titled “Educating for Character: How Our Schools Can Teach Respect and Responsibility," Dr. Thomas Likona suggests a nine-point agenda that must be implemented and rigorously followed by teachers to ensure a healthy teacher-student bond that encourages learning, participation and cognitive development for the student. One of these nine points envisages the role of the teacher as that of an effective caregiver and role model. This role requires the teacher to love and respect the student, be a good role model, encourage pro-social activities among students and conduct individual (as well as collective) guidance, to ensure that any harmful behavior exhibited by any student (or the class as a whole) is detected, corrected and prevented. .
Shelly Sanchez Terrell, as a teacher and teacher-trainer, practically demonstrates that Dr. Lickona’s role model theory ensures a healthy environment for students to learn and be better people. She avoids favouritism, sarcastic remarks or any other behavior that might cause a student to develop self-esteem issues. As a caregiver, she does not scorn students for making any mistakes and encourages participative behavior in the classroom. As an ethical mentor, she often discusses ethical issues in her class. Especially when the need arises. She also provides sound reasons as to why cheating, lying and bullying, etc. are bad behaviors.
As part of the parents-children learning initiative, she frequently engages students’ parents in various learning activities. She communicates to them through emails, keeping them updated about the student’s progress and their strengths/weaknesses in a polite and courteous tone. She also engages parents in her workshops and seminars and discusses what can be done to improve their child’s progress and what they can do to contribute. .
Works Cited
Lickona, T. (1992). Educating for Character: How Our Schools Can Teach Respect and Responsibility. New York: Bantam Trade Paperback.
Terrell, S. S. (2012, February 12). New Teacher Academy: How to Work with Parents. Retrieved from Edutopia: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/new-teacher-parents-lisa-dabbs
