Modeling
As a Spanish teacher, I often told my students that I was going to be their “modelo” and then, I would jokingly “strike a pose” as in Madonna’s song, Vogue.
They got a kick out of that, but honestly and truly, I felt that I was a model for them in everything that I said and did every day.
The word “model” can mean many things today, but mostly we use it to refer to someone in the fashion industry or when we refer to cars/appliances/ technology.
One of the definitions of “model” is “a system or thing used as an example to follow or imitate”.
The etymology of the word is from Latin, modulus, meaning “a standard for imitation or comparison.” (etymonline.com)
So, as teachers, we are setting a “standard for imitation” for our students to follow.
Our words, our actions, our tone, our body language, our choices, our everything.
So, this could go either way.
If we yell, disrespect and dismiss our students, we are modeling and setting a standard for them to imitate and do the same to us and others.
If we speak kindly, thoughtfully and see and hear our students, we are modeling and setting a standard for them to imitate and do the same to us and others.
This happens everywhere, not only in the classroom.
As teachers, we are not just role models to children, but also as humans, we are role models to other humans.
Let me give a few real world examples I have experienced. (more…)
