TUTORIAL 3

An ordinary teacher (a non-counseling teacher) can assist the school’s guidance and counseling teacher to manage the emotions of students and mould their personality. Justify the statement.

The challenges schools face today

• If a student cannot manage emotions properly, it is difficult for him or her to focus on learning.

• If a student does not empathize with others, he or she may act out in unhealthy and potentially harmful ways.

• If a student is unable to follow rules, he or she may detract from the healthy functioning of a classroom and/or school environment.

• If a student is unable to solve problems cooperatively, he or she may create conflict in the classroom, playground, or anywhere students congregate.

• If a student is unable to work well with others, this can create disharmony and undermine the collective learning environment.

• If a student is unable to act responsibly or respectfully, he or she may not build the healthy relationships necessary for school -- and life -- success

The teacher would be in a unique position to influence and guide his student. If the teacher performs his role well the student will come to realize the importance of the positive traits and values being imparted to him.Learning by example is one of the most effective forms of learning.

ROLES OF ORDINARY TEACHERS

Teach students how to:

• handle emotions well• relax and focus on learning• avoid negative behaviors• make positive decisions• solve problems cooperatively• understand others• practice empathy and caring.

• Concerns with the main factors that constitute students’ personality. The factors are:

sex of the child (e.g., inhibited girls are more likely to change than inhibited boys)

children’s participation in out-of-the-home care (e.g., children who receive outside child care become less inhibited over time)

parental characteristics (e.g., parents who are overcontrolling have children who remain inhibited over time).

• A Positive Approach• Appreciate students, treat fairly• Learn To Communicate That You "Really Care“• Cooperate with the counsellor• Teachers must also be trained not only on

methods or techniques of how to impart knowledge but also on how to deal with students on a more personal level

• Teach students explicitly FOUR broad areas that are:

Self-awarenessSelf-managementSocial awarenesRelationship skills

• Self-awareness: identifying and recognising emotions; recognising personal interests and strengths;

• Self-management: regulating emotions to handle stress, control impulses, and motivating oneself to persevere in overcoming obstacles, setting and monitoring progress toward the achievement of personal and academic goals; expressing emotions appropriately.

• Social awareness: being able to take the perspective of and empathise with others; recognising and appreciating individual and group similarities and differences.

• Relationship skills: establishing and maintaining healthy and rewarding relationships based on cooperation and resistance to inappropriate social pressure, preventing, managing, and constructively resolving interpersonal conflict; seeking help when needed.

General Steps in Helping a Student for a Guidance Teacher 

• The focus : to provide a safe, secure and nurturing climate in which the child can grow as a healthy, whole individual

1. Recognize the student’s need for intervention and build rapport2. Provide an appropriate time to truly listen to the child3. Help the person identify and clarify the problem4. Illuminate options and alternatives for problem solving5. Help create goals to facilitate improvement or change6. Encourage the student to succeed 

7. Enhance child’s perspectives, well being through educating about the problem

8. Refer to others if in depth skills are needed9. Keep the student’s confidence sacrosanct unless abuse is

involved or it is believed that the student might hurt self or others10.Listen to the inner messages that come through interaction with

the child

In summary, an ordinary teacher can help students develop strong, positive relationships with both peers and adults. And since children learn more effectively from people they care about, they can have a direct impact on academic engagement.