Teachers in any society should be role models as they play a most significant and crucial role in shaping, equipping and preparing children for their careers and taking up their rightful place in nation building. For this reason teaching is referred to as the noble profession.

It is therefore imperative and incumbent that teachers carry and conduct themselves in the most exemplary manner - extolling such virtues as cleanliness and tidiness, dedication, discipline, compassion, understanding, self respect and respect for others, cultured behaviour and a love for children.

Apart from parents, teachers are the ones who leave an indelible mark on the minds of children which many retain for life. So often you hear the remark by adults: “You know my teacher once told me…” Very often it is some bit of wisdom which was imparted by a teacher and came in useful in a difficult circumstance.

As such teachers need to recognise that their role is not only to impart raw knowledge but to inculcate the correct attitudes and behaviour and a patriotic and positive outlook to life as well.

Teaching is one of those professions which you have to love if you are to get into and remain in it. It is simply not just another job, as its responsibilities are so enormous.

Jack H. Berryman in his article: “Canada’s Courts Say Teachers Must Be Role Models” notes:

“Just how perfect are teachers supposed to be? Recent court decisions say teachers are going to be held to a higher standard because of their position of trust and influence.”

“Teachers are expected to be positive role models for their students, both inside and outside the classroom.”

In Ontario, this expectation is a statutory duty of teachers set out in Clause 264 (1) (c) of the Education Act: “It is the duty of a teacher and a temporary teacher … to inculcate by precept and example respect for religion and the principles of Judaeo-Christian morality and the highest regard for truth, justice, loyalty, love of country, humanity, benevolence, sobriety, industry, frugality, purity, temperance and all other virtues.”

“Although critics of this clause argue, with considerable justification, that its language is archaic and that teachers cannot possibly fulfill the duty as written, it is nevertheless important to recognise its intent. Teachers are expected to maintain a high standard of conduct.”

Ms. Susan Fitzell in her paper: “Teachers as Role Models: Hurtful Language and Behaviour in the Classroom” lucidly relates the impact teachers have on their students with this story:

A bright eighth grader came home distraught one day. The child’s mom asked, “What’s wrong?” The child’s answer was disheartening. “I want to be home schooled. School isn’t fun like it used to be. Teachers are so mean.” The concerned mom talked to her child, a child who teachers raved about, a child who is known as a leader, a good friend, and a positive, strong personality. “Mom, it’s not what the teachers say or do to me, it’s how they act toward the other kids, the kids they don’t like, or the ones who don’t do so well in school. These teachers, Mom, are supposed to be role models. I would never do the things they do to other kids! But, today, the teacher did yell at me in front of everyone because other kids in my group were talking. He said I should have made them stop talking. He asked me if I was too afraid to make them stop! Then he said that I should be a role model. Mom, it’s so hypocritical. I can’t make kids stop talking. I’m sick of it. Because of the way these teachers treat kids, I don’t even want to go to school anymore.”

In the context of teachers being role models, the statement by Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, that teachers who smoke before students should be ashamed of themselves is indeed an apt one and the move by the Education Ministry to make all schools smoke-free is also a laudable one.

However, the Education Ministry should clamp down on many of the other unprofessional and unbecoming behaviour by teachers, particularly the males, such as drinking with students and other deplorable conduct.

Also there is a link between performance of students and the lack of role models.

Research indicates that a connection exists between low student performance and the lack of role models, particularly for young boys of colour. A recent Newsweek article (”The Boy Crisis” - January 30, 2006) reiterates that “One of the most reliable predictors of whether a boy will succeed or fail in high school rests on a single question: does he have a man in his life to look up to?” Studies show that children work for teachers to whom they can relate. The Dellums Commission, funded by the Kellogg Foundation to document and reform public policies that intentionally or unintentionally limit the life pathways for young men of colour, recently completed a comprehensive analysis that supports these efforts as well.

Ms. Fitzell correctly asserts: “We are our students’ role models. We want to be the best role model we can be! We can when we take the time to reflect, change what is not working or what we don’t like, and grow from the experience.”