Most of the time when we talk about our teachers, a strict, unfriendly picture comes to our mind which is usually disliked by most of the students. On the other hand if we add a soft touch of care and empathy to this image the outcome totally changes and that picture resembles our loving parents.

This is the face of teacher everybody likes to see and remember.

According to Wikipedia: 

'A school counselor is a counselor and an educator who works in elementary, middle, and/or high schools to provide academic, career, college readiness, and personal/social competencies to all K-12 students through a school counseling program.’

In Pakistan 70% of our population is illiterate. The remaining 30% includes those who can hardly read and can only write their names. In such a critical condition we are providing education through those people who are putting all their efforts to further aggravate these figures by inculcating hatred in the minds of students against education and educationists.

This dilemma can be solved by educating our teachers to avoid canning and corporate punishments specially in lower classes.

Actually a teacher plays a very vital role in the physical and mental development of a child. In the early years of education, students truly worship their teachers. They adore their teachers to such an extent that a single word of appreciation from her, means the world to them. A little golden star, a butterfly on the face, a finger puppet or a small birthday card is more fruitful than 10 days of continuous learning.

This is the stage at which a teacher through her motivational skills – if she has them – can build the whole personality of the developing mind. She knows the strength and weaknesses of her students. By helping the students grow their skills she can carve out a completely different and resonating personality. This would be completely in contrast to the average student that we are producing after 10 or 12 years of education: aimless, undisciplined, ill-mannered, unskilled workforce that adds to the burden of this underdeveloped economy of Pakistan.

Instead a teacher should focus on refining those areas of a child which can bring success for them. For instance, if a student is very active in play but he takes too much time while writing, the teacher should use his interest in games as a motivational skill to make him learn his lessons well. I know a teacher who taught her students counting very well through the skipping rope!

As a counselor, the teacher uses her ability of being compassionate on her actions to gain the confidence of her students that she is the right person to share their problems with and is capable of solving these problems. This understanding and confidence brings satisfaction and peace of mind for the students and leads them to the path of success.

A teacher’s success in moulding the personality of a person lies in her self-awareness and sympathy for her students. She feels no hesitation in standing in the shoes of her students and watching the world through their eyes.

It is this teacher who can construct a better world through building a better personality for her student.