On Teachers’ Day

Dr. BHASKAR CHAKRABORTY Professor of Chemistry Sikkim Government College (NBBGC) An Extension Cen

Student-Teacher Relationship: How Impactful it Could be in Building Career for a Student?

 To me one of the best relationships in this world is between a student & a teacher. Students are fundamentally important to a teacher's career and life, as they are the reason teachers exist and focus into their work. A teacher's success and fulfilment during the course of their teaching life are deeply intertwined with the engagement, progress, and overall well-being of their students. An ideal teacher’s purpose is to extract the context for teaching, and their development, both academic and personal from the students. In the natural continuing flow of our life after birth to death, time comes for the parents (first teachers for a kid) to send their wards to schools, starting from kinder garden to highest stage of their learning career. These kids are keeping their first steps in the schools with their parents as strangers in the institution and finishes there journey of education where a person can change the mid set up, behavioural attitude, goal to achieve, purpose of learning process, motivation, discipline and also with his nature of attracting students using his/her own sense of humour as well as citing examples of his/her own life and career. He or she is the person in the student’s life capable of bringing dramatic changes in their careers and can finally make them a “Complete Man/Woman” and the person who remains in the background and feels himself/herself happiest person in life is “Teacher”.

In today’s special article, I shall try to share my journey as a “Teacher” in a UG & PG as well as research institution where I have been associated with 31 years of “Teaching, learning, evaluation and Research activities”. The article will also focus in addition to usual activities how; other activities engaging with students can change the mind set up of a teacher. Teaching is challenging at any level because your attitude, behaviour as well as approach towards yours students has to be accepted and it requires commitment, stamina and growth. Clear and effective communication is essential for being an impactful teacher. If I want to build trust and confidence in my students that they can do great things and overcome challenges, then my effectiveness in conveying complex scientific ideas in a developmentally appropriate and relevant way is important.  Creating a positive learning environment also helps motivate students by making them feel emotionally safe. When students feel safe in the classroom environment, they are more comfortable in asking questions and engage in learning activities without fear of criticism. This openness leads to increased participation and enthusiasm for learning new things. A supportive classroom environment can also reduce anxiety and stress, allowing students to perform to the best of their abilities.

To me, in UG level of teaching, teachers when entering to his or her classroom, they finds students with a pre mind set up of fear, trying to find safer place to sit with their own school mats and keeping a distance with other students while anxieties existing in minds and reflecting in their faces. An ideal “Teacher” is a person who can change the entire scenario within a few minutes with his attitudes mixed with a “Warm welcome of the students in his/her classroom” with a smiling face and his her behaviour has to be augmented with discipline, to be in free mind set-up and maintain a cordial relationship with the teacher, no hesitation in asking questions during or after the class, to make them understand the gravity of the subject and the purpose, why they have chosen the subject as a part of their curriculum, the importance of the course materials which is not only meant for appearing examinations but also their importance in their future aspects of higher studies. In addition, an ideal teacher should advise them on the very first day regarding the “Duties & responsibilities to be undertaken and abide by strict guidelines of the institution”. Also an ideal teacher’s duty is to make them understand on the very first day: what should his way of teaching (adopting conventional black-board & Chalk teaching, using white board–marker teaching and smart class-room teaching using power point presentations) so that students can prepare their mind set up and attend the classes of the concerned teacher accordingly. An ideal teacher always advices on the very first day to the students to mix up among themselves irrespective of which school they belong before joining the institution. An ideal teacher is also that person who shares important short stories associated with the topic of the days class (may be innovative research works related to nobel prize or our own scientists work behind it) so that students not only come to know the history behind the content of the topic but at the same time feel motivated too. An ideal teacher is also that person who also shares his/her own struggles during learning a difficult topic of the syllabus and what were methods that helped him or her to overcome the difficulties. Because for the new students your impression can change their lives too! Teachers should keep in mind that for your first appearance may be treated by the students as “First impression is the last impression”!

An ideal teacher always believes students are the reason teachers teach. Their presence, engagement, and knowledge can do wonders for the students. Students' responses, both positive and negative, provide valuable feedback for teachers, helping them to modify their teaching methods and improve their effectiveness. Teachers' sense of identity and accomplishment is often tied to their students' achievements and positive development. When students are engaged and motivated, teachers find their work more rewarding and effective. Understanding students' individual needs which includes not only teaching materials but also could be poor financial conditions needs to be addressed either personally or through institutional level. Students' behaviour, participation, and interactions in free mind with teachers can change the classroom environment, influencing the overall learning experience for everyone. Beyond academics, teachers often serve as mentors and they could become “Role models”, providing emotional support and guidance to students navigating personal challenges and life decisions. Teachers also can play a vital role in shaping students' values, character, and social-emotional skills, contributing to their overall well-being. An ideal teacher always believes that strong teacher-student relationships are essential for creating a positive and supportive learning environment where students feel safe, valued, and motivated. The teacher-student relationship is inherently interdependent. Teachers rely on students for their purpose and impact, while students rely on teachers for guidance, support, and knowledge.

In my experiences of long teaching career, I always felt that teachers also can learn from their students, gaining insights into current trends, language, and perspectives, which help them, stay relevant and effective. For example, in addition to my class room teachings and supportive class notes, I used to advice students to consult “Scholarly articles” in “Google” especially in PG students so that they may be aware of the latest trends going on, or the recent advances in the topic while few students are taking interest in discussion with myself after the class regarding the topic that they have learnt from AI or ChatGPT! This is only possible when a teacher could build up a strong bonding or relationships with students. So, teachers can be motivated by the students through the teacher-student relationship, where understanding and connecting with students' struggles and successes remind them of their impact. Students' enthusiasm and eagerness to learn also increase a teacher's motivation, reinforcing the value and purpose of their work. Additionally, students can provide feedback and encouragement, which makes teachers feel appreciated and recognized for their efforts.

Teachers feel more motivated when they connect with students, understand their challenges, and celebrate their achievements, recognizing the tangible impact they have. When teachers show genuine interest in their students' lives, the reciprocal care from students can fuel the teacher's passion and commitment. To me, a student's enthusiastic approach to learning and their engagement in the subject matter makes me highly motivating. When students are motivated to learn from my discussions not only confined to subject matter but also about their future perspectives and placements, it reflects positively on my efforts and boosts my motivation to continue my work. When students express that they appreciate the teacher's efforts or have learned something important, it reinforces their sense of purpose. Positive feedback, even from a student, can be a powerful source of motivation, letting the teacher knows their efforts are noticed and appreciated. An ideal teacher always leading his or her students from the front and always have a wish to showcase his or her achievements so that students can be motivated and inspired to follow the pathways and reach to that height. An ideal teacher becomes happiest person when he or she comes to know the highest level of achievements or success of their students.   

My teaching experiences say demonstrating with genuine passion and enthusiasm for chemistry can inspire students and truly spark their interest in the subject. Each and every day, I try to do my best to convey my excitement about what I teach and its new developments. I have found that my students are equally become as engaged and curious about the topic which I am taking forward. Recognizing students with their backgrounds, learning styles, and abilities is always challenging for an ideal and enthusiastic teacher. These teachers’ never tries to differentiate between high achievers and struggling students but they adopt such a balanced methodology of teaching emphasizing the easier techniques so that learning becomes easier for all the students.

On Teachers’ Day, this writer is happy to share with his dearest students, that he had been selected twice and awarded with “Best Teacher Award” (2010 & 2014) in National level by our renowned “Chemical Research Society of India” (CRSI). So, dear teachers, make your teaching more attractive with your own plan, show your devotion and feelings for yours students, try to understand their strength & weakness, take action accordingly and motivate them to become a “Complete Successful Man or Woman” of our country, it’s because “You as a Teacher” teaching and providing knowledge to the young generation!