Students spend the vast majority of their formative years in school, growing and learning the knowledge and skills to survive in the modern world (make my assignment). Yet, according to a nationwide survey of 21,678 US students, almost 75% reported having negative thoughts about school.

Now, some of the leading reasons why students would rather not go to school and spend their time learning at home instead are:

• A monotonous schedule
• Lack of interest in subjects
• Inability to connect to peers
• Teachers’ overall behaviour

Now, out of all these options, the final one is perhaps the most heartbreaking. Why? Well, let’s dig a little deeper.

The Role Of Teachers In Students’ Lives

Teachers are the guiding light in the dark for students worldwide.

From a young age, students spend more time with their teachers than with their parents in many cases and develop an emotional attachment and dependency on these authoritative figures.

No one can deny the teacher’s role in building a solid foundation for students from a young age. In fact, many students look up to their teachers and trust them with their entire being (make my assignment).

Yet, despite the ideal version of the teacher that you have in mind, reality doesn’t comply with it all the time.

The Ideal Teacher vs The Everyday Teacher

An ideal teacher is kind, understanding and prioritises the student’s needs above everything else. From planning out classes to encouraging students to master a topic – the perfect teacher’s hand is full of responsibilities (make my assignment).

Unfortunately, the reality is somewhat different. Most teachers struggle daily with the bare minimum wage they earn, and their patience is already spread thin due to the never-ending grading. Moreover, resources are scarce from the government, and the onus falls on the teachers to develop the best learning plan from the bare minimum funds.

So, it’s not surprising that the smiling, happy face that you’d expect on your idea teacher is something that you’d get to witness on rare occasions on the actual person (make my assignment).

How Does Teachers’ Behaviour Impact Students’ Impressions Of School?

According to research, children as young as 3 years old would judge a person’s trustworthiness and competence in a matter of a few seconds. This falls right in line with the general belief that human beings immediately form first impressions of other people on meeting them, based on their appearance and how they carry themselves.

So, by the time a child first steps foot inside an educational institution, they have already developed this sense of sizing up the adults in the room. When a student walks into the school building and interacts with the teachers, it impacts their experience in the institution (make my assignment).

• 5 Ways Teachers’ Behaviour Can Positively Impact Students’ Impressions

1. Praising students’ efforts

When teachers praise the efforts of a student instead of the outcome or skills, it helps to enhance their learning capabilities and resilience. Of course, students make mistakes in their learning journey. However, if teachers don’t recognise the efforts that went into the task, irrespective of the results, it would discourage students from taking risks or learning from their mistakes.

2. Starting the class with a greeting

Greeting students before the beginning of a class help set a positive mood throughout the day. In fact, according to a 2018 study, welcoming students at the door increased academic engagement by 20% and lowered disruptive behaviour by 9%. Therefore, a teacher who greets students individually by name and uses non-verbal greetings promotes a sense of belonging amongst the students.

3. Smiling at students

The simplest way to build a strong and positive learning atmosphere is to don a smile. Hundreds of studies have documented the significance of smiling in class to encourage and empathise with budding minds. Students of all ages can feel anxious or under pressure from the immense academic burden on their shoulders. Amidst such anxieties, a smile allows students to boost their confidence and develop high self-esteem.

4. Taking an encouraging attitude

Teachers’ attitudes in the classroom can affect students in many ways and shape their learning experience. So, if a student struggles in their English class, a teacher would encourage them and offer additional English homework help to master the topic successfully. In addition, such educators nurture a caring and positive atmosphere and help students develop a positive impression of the school.

5. Encouraging a non-judgmental atmosphere

Building tolerance and respect starts from the classroom, and teachers who encourage a non-judgemental atmosphere helps students feel comfortable about discussing the issues they face. In a world where discrimination affects people regardless of race, culture and gender, teachers can encourage a non-judgemental mindset in the students and create a safe space for everyone in school.

• 5 Ways Teachers’ Behaviour Can Negatively Impact Students’ Impressions

1. Using sarcasm to rebuke

Sometimes, it can be challenging for teachers to maintain a composed attitude when students misbehave in class. However, resorting to sarcasm to rebuke them can severely impair their academic achievements and sour their school experience.

2. Resorting to corporal, emotional and sexual violence

School authorities have banned the use of corporal punishment on students, irrespective of the offence they commit. But, unfortunately, it is still legal in 64 countries, including the US. Additionally, sexual violence, emotional abuse in the form of humiliation and abuse are rampant in many schools, ruining the entire learning atmosphere for students (make my assignment).

3. Promoting unhealthy competition

Healthy competition is always welcome in classrooms to encourage students to push themselves into giving their best. But some teachers take this too far and end up creating a toxic environment. Students who score less than the average have to put up with humiliation and insults, while those who score well get preferential treatment. Such an atmosphere forces students to disregard their health or hire paper writers from online services like Myassignmenthelp.co.uk for better grades.

4. Showing favouritism in class

It’s not surprising that teachers have a few students in the class for whom they develop a soft spot. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having some favourites in class, but showing blatant favouritism and treating these students better than others can sow the seeds of jealousy in others (make my assignment).

5. Encouraging students to tell on each other

Many teachers encourage students to snitch on their peers for additional benefits like extended deadlines and extra days off after-school duties. While the intention is to catch those breaking the school rules, it is not the most effective plan of action. Instead, it creates an atmosphere of mistrust among students and makes their entire school experience extremely stressful.

In many cases, a negative teacher attitude can induce strong feelings of stress and anxiety, leading to physical symptoms like muscle pain, aches, lack of appetite and upset stomach. So, teachers must mould their behaviour in such a way that can leave a positive impression on students in school (Introduction: What Makes a Branding Agency Special?).

Summing it up,

Teaching is one of the most respectable professions globally, and teachers play a vital role in ensuring that students can develop a positive impression in school. However, the educator’s attitude towards students and their teaching practices can affect students academically, emotionally and psychologically. This blog explores how positive behaviour from teachers can develop an encouraging and uplifting learning atmosphere, while negative behaviour can have drastic effects.

Bio:

Marco Evans is a senior academic consultant and writer at MyAssingmenthelp.co.uk. She is also an enthusiastic blogger and uses her experience to guide others in academics. Having graduated from an Ivy-league college, I understand the pitfalls of the education system and hope her blogs and articles can bring about positive change.