Great Teachers are Phenomenal Leaders

Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach. –Aristotle

Teaching is the most underrated profession and teachers, the most undervalued humans. Teaching is not limited to verbalizing concepts and giving grades. It is about keeping authentic learning at the center. It is creative, yet sequential. It is concrete, yet abstract. It is strict, yet fun. It is about compassion, mindset, grit, responsibility, knowledge, strength, tirelessness, hunger, and innovation, all at once. It is the very reason why we are what we are and teachers the most important human beings who hold this fort. In this article, I detail why teaching is nothing short of great leadership by going through teachers’ anatomy.

Developing the Class Vision and Showing Unbounded Confidence

Teachers are exceptional at developing a strong and clear vision for their classrooms. They understand their students’ backgrounds, developmental needs, abilities, strengths, and potential in order to set expectations and plan to achieve those through year-long, unit-long, month-long plans, etc. The ever-shimmering eyes also display unbounded confidence and care for each child of their class. Oftentimes, that’s all that matters to their students.

Embodying Growth Mindset and Grit

Teachers possess a growth mindset about their students and believe that each of their students can be successful. They work, relentlessly, to create safe spaces and in letting the students know that they are there for them. Also, when teachers teach something with their heart and passion, and students are unable to perform per expectations, they do fall flat on their face. But they get up, stronger than ever, to try all over again. Teachers modeling grit is a great way for learners to see it in action and in becoming like them.

Having a Compassionate Heart and a Listening Ear

It is not difficult to think of a teacher who made all the difference by saying, “It’s okay, that happens, let’s try again.” Teachers take the effort to understand student perspectives, thoughts, and opinions, and care about their progress. They are understanding of student personal realities and goals, and strive with them along with students’ parents to navigate through this journey. They have a listening ear and can be a sounding board. For them, “there are no mistakes”. They are forgiving.

Providing Supreme Positive Reinforcement and Constructive Criticism

Teachers are the biggest cheerleaders. I remember my teachers clapping the loudest every time I went on the stage to get an award or in fact, beaming with pride whenever I participated in the class. When in school, teachers are the greatest power supply of positive reinforcement. A “well done” can make a child’s day. They are rooting for students even when they make mistakes by pointing out what can be improved so that the learners get a step ahead of themselves.

Nurturing Knowledge

This is the most common image of teachers — as a source of knowledge and wisdom, and rightly so. Teachers go to great lengths to address a student query or bring in new instructional expertise to effectively teach an abstract concept. They dabble with different teaching tools including technology, lab equipment, classroom material, etc. to ensure high-quality learning. Teachers are always adapting to the novel changes to best deliver all they know to their students. They let no stone remain unturned to impart authentic knowledge and turn mundane into extraordinary.

Taking Responsibility and Working “Shoulder-to-Shoulder”

Teaching is a job with lots of responsibilities, not just with students, but managing stakeholders, plans, in-school collaborations, professional development meetings, and administrative tasks. Teachers collaborate with other teachers and students, all the time, to be excellent in their endeavors and to successfully let the ship sail.

Standing strong and staying hungry

Teachers spend over 7.5 hours a day standing, on average. Throughout the day, with a wide smile, they are passionately teaching, doing projects or dancing with joy with their students. It is hard to see them tired even after post-school professional development programs and weekly teacher meetings. They are hungry (also literally, many times), to search for new projects, innovative teaching pedagogies, and engaging learning material for their students. Theirs is a continuous learning journey.

“Teaching is a demanding role that requires incredible organization and time-management skills, as well as the ability to cultivate others’ strengths, to persevere in the face of countless obstacles, and to build relationships — the same skills and experiences needed to lead within a variety of contexts .”— TFA Editorial Team.

Teachers can change your directions and make your belief in yourself get stronger.

Teachers can give you purpose.

Teachers make leaders.

Teachers are leaders.

Six years ago, I entered the four walls of a classroom as a teacher and came out a different person two years later. My perspectives shifted radically, and I realized why teaching is the most important job in the world.

I dedicate this article to my teachers, students, and everyone who has contributed to this journey of me being a teacher forever.

Did you think of a teacher who made a difference to you as you read this piece? If yes, please write about them and how they have contributed to your life in the comments below.