How Should We Approach Teaching?
By Yahiya Emerick
Teaching is an art which is often misapplied. Here are a few
quick guidelines for teaching to be aware of. This section will be expanded over
time with the wisdom and thought of many teachers.
1. Don't be a hypocrite. The words of a hypocrite always fall on deaf or
incredulous ears. If you tell a student to pray, then be seen praying. If you
wear hijab in school, be seen wearing it outside. If you say avoid bad language,
don't use it for yourself. The claim of, "Well, I'm an adult, you're a
child" holds no weight. Allah hates it when we say what we don't do.
2. You are the most important force in a child's daily life, after the parents.
Do not be unfair or they will dismiss what you say. Don't punish everyone for
the crime of one. Don't punish out of proportion to the crime. Don't favor a
few students over the rest. Don't automatically assume a student is a liar all the
time. Don't apply punishments unevenly. Whatever you say, do it. Don't
make the students feel you are just a talker. Don't let overly powerful feelings of
mercy make you back down from just punishments.
3. If you don't know, then learn. If you don't know, don't fake it.
Tell the students that you don't know and then promise to find out for them and then
follow through. Never be so filled with arrogance that you feel superior to the
students. If a student corrects you, accept the correction. Umar said,
"Allah bless the person who makes a gift to me of my own faults."
4. Have a sense of humor. Don't be seen as an angry, violent person who always
criticizes and complains about others. Hold your tongue in the criticism
department. Don't be so quick to complain. Don't verbally reprimand a student
in front of others, do it privately. Either take them aside, whisper in their ear or
see them after class. Never, never humiliate a student in front of others. Too
many Muslims, especially "quasi-scholars" humiliate others without remorse.
Are you so great? Only Allah can humiliate someone and it will be for a just
cause.
5. Have an enriching and empowering personal activity, art, or intellectual pursuit
besides teaching and child-rearing. By providing for yourself an outlet that will expand
your emotional, intellectual and/or psychological realm, you will be able to enliven and
re-energize your skills as a teacher and your role as a parent. Be
interesting. Get a life (outside of just "work" and family roles --
find interest in something to rejuvenate your soul and heart.
