Effective Teacher: Connect to Correct.

A teacher is effective when students find learning interesting and rewarding; when students take ownership of their learning; when students reproduce learning, not only during the lesson but also long after the learning has taken place. A teacher is said to be effective when students find it easy to apply classroom experiences to their daily life' situations and decisions; when students are happy and excited during lessons. A teacher is effective when students spontaneously recall knowledge and skills obtained in the class to solve practical questions in examinations. A teacher is also effective, when he effectively manages the classroom situations to improve learning. A teacher becomes effective, when students are attracted to him because he gives them a listening ear and his arms are always open to receive them. Above all, a teacher is effective when the weakest student in his class is not left behind, stranded or stagnant.

One thing every teacher needs to be effective is the ability to CONNECT to his or her students. Any teacher who wants to succeed in his teaching career in this present age must be ready to develop a strong but professional relationship with his or her students. He must connect with his student emotionally and socially. He must gain their confidence and earn their trust by showing them love and empathy; he must be patient enough to listen to their complaints and views.  He must be ready to supports the weak and help the confused. He must have high expectations for all his students and must not write off anyone. He must provide godly counsels for his students and use reward and punishment moderately and appropriately. 

When a teacher is emotionally connected to his students, teaching becomes simple, seamless and highly productive. Moreover, when you connect to your students you stand the chance to correct their errors and misbehaviours, with little or no resistance. This is because students have confidence, and trust the judgement of those teachers who show them love and empathy.

In conclusion, I will like to submit here without any iota of doubt the first duty of a 21 century teacher is to connect to his students since corporal punishment is no longer fashionable. More importantly, it is inevitable if the achievement of our educational goal of producing a student who is worthy in learning and character is a must.