Poesia na Rua

A Definition of What a Good Teacher Is

A good teacher has several skills and good preparation. He/she must be preparing for new challenges because the world is changing so much. New technologies of information are improving the communication between people around the world. The word, “education” requires thinking and re-thinking about the goal of teach. But, to be a good teacher, it is necessary to join technology and human values. For example, my nephew has a teacher in his high school whose name is Joana Sousa (fictitious name). She is devoted to her job, so the students love her. Although she loves teaching, she is not able to use the computer in her class. It is a problem. The students are able to use new technologies such as, computers, cell phones, power points, while Ms Sousa ignore the benefits of technologies, perhaps for several reasons. Consequently, the education in Sousa’s class is insufficient - not totally of course - because it doesn’t follow the Modern World.

In contrast, some new teachers are able to work with digital technology as a result of an efficient study at the private school or university although they haven’t sufficient experience in the classrooms. Some situations in Brazil are interesting, for example, in the morning teachers might begin their classes using excellent power point or similar technology. Suddenly, the energy goes off, and then, they always are nervous and stressed due do their few skills to teach. The classes finish early because of their insecurity. In conclusion, teachers can be able to learn new technologies however they can’t achieve good outcomes. Thus, what should teachers do?

Teachers can learn new technologies and encourage the students to read and study more and more. However, values such as simplicity, dedication and friendship must be a part of the Colleges and the Universities. Then, as to the professionalism, the teacher must be politically engaged. “Nobody is an island”, we say in Brazil because our society encourages individualism and consumerism very much. At times, some professionals of Education believe in the Union to increase their salary, only. They forget that other values, such as citizenship and Civil Rights are important, too. Therefore, a good teacher must be capable of incorporating both, the new values of cyber culture with human values.

Prof. Otacílio Gomes da Silva Neto