How should teachers act outside of school?

Question

As a student, does a teacher's lifestyle influence how you look at him the classroom.

As a parent, does a teacher's lifestyle make you request a different teacher?

How would you like your children's teachers to act outside of school?

Does a teacher's lifestyle matter to you?

Answer 1

No matter what people admit, it does affect how you are perceived. That doesn't mean that you don't have a right to act as you wish - but it should NEVER be how your students see you.

Parents are trusting you to be alone in a room with their children for 6 hours a day. They want to feel as if your basic morals and values will reflect theirs. Even if it is not taught outwardly in the classroom, no one want to think of their child's teacher has having objectionable judgment. If they are irresponsible in the personal life, can the be responsible in the classroom? It is a real and honest question. Although the answer may be YES - that isn't how students will see you and you will lose respect, therefore you will lose control of your classroom.

I have always made sure that I live far enough away from the students I teach so that when I go to the grocery store in sweats and no make-up - I don't bump into my students. Kids are scandalized enough to see their teacher outside of school - much less looking frumpy. I just messes with them :)

If by "lifestyle" you are talking about homosexuality - no. That doesn't seem to matter. I taught for years with a man that was clearly gay - but he never brought it up. He was, however, one of the most popular teachers in the school - which was in a very conservative school because he never gave anyone reason to question his judgement and he was a great teacher. (Now, the young blonde teacher with the bit too short skirts and a bit too tired Monday morning .... not popular with the parents!)

Answer 2

I agree that teachers are role models, but it is not reasonible to hold them to the same standards as clergy (a great many of whom have secrets of their own and are not above repraoch). While I agree I need to try to help my students become productive, moral citizens, the burden of teaching ethical behavior does not rest solely on me. I am not advocating partying/fighting or being a lapdancer, but I also do not believe that I should stay home and knit. It is primarily the parents who should be setting the example if we want our kids to be good adults. I tell my students all the time I am shocked that they go out and party all weekend, as all are under age. But guess what, they tell me their parents don't care as long as they do it at home. I honestly feel that if what a teacher does is not brought into the classroom or puts themselves or anyone else in harm's way, then it should not be an issue.

Answer 3

Yeah it does to me. With most teachers, I expect them to give me a good sensible example of how to live, and often teachers are some of the best role models to have in terms of responcibility and being sensible. I am also 14 and one of my teachers is one of the sort who is a typical "bachelor - like" 20 something person who seems to be the type who always goes to clubs.... I dont very much like him cos he isnt matching the standard that a teacher should have. But yes, definately a teacher's lifestyle does matter.

Answer 4

A teachers lifestyle matters to me because if the teacher is not responsible of the students your son or daughter will not be protected by the teacher.A teacher should be honest, responsible,caring,and should respect the students.

Answer 5

Well: see each "School Teacher must use personal
Responibility towards all studens every day & yes making
the Education Programs more interesting with good leccures
only from these sources"
1 Reading Skills
2Mathematics
3 English Studies
4 Science Explorations ( remember todays Soceity needs
improvements to educate each one child )

Answer 6

How can we be of value in the classroom if we present ourselves one way and live another?
Students see right through you if you are real or not - and role modeling and integrity are a foundational part of an effective teacher.

Answer 7

A teacher should beable to live her life outside of school how she wants. But if the teacher does negative things such as being a stripper, drinking at the bars & making a fool of herself every weekend, or doing drugs, etc, than I would not her/him teaching my child.

Answer 8

Yes it matters. Do you want an alcoholic, drug abuser, sex offender teaching your child? Where do we draw the line as to what is socially acceptable behavior for a teacher? The answerer above me is right, they are a role model for our children. I do not want a teacher coming to school hung over from drugs or alcohol or both teaching my child.

Answer 9

Of course it does.

If you choose to be a teacher, you have to understand that you are not only signing yourself up to be an instruction in knowledge, but also in life.

Karl Menninger said, "What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches."

Eugene Bertin said, "Teaching is leaving a vestige of one self in the development of another. And surely the student is a bank where you can deposit your most precious treasures."

Answer 10

I think teachers should show a good upfront outside of school.. I mean, they are role models to their students....