Teachers And Educators - Differences
These two words look like synonyms and are mostly used as such. But there are some underlying differences that would surprise you.
And depending on the place you live and the influences of people around you, education can have a specific impact on you.
Teachers
You go to school to acquire knowledge. Teachers are there to convey it. It looks pretty straight forward. But teachers need to test students constantly and monitor their progress. That's the way for them to know if a student is ready go to another level. And the simple aspect turns into complex methods, structured with rules (curriculum) a teacher should follow.
Every educational program is analyzed by the teacher committee and discussed accordingly. That kind of work from any angle (outside or inside of the educational environment) looks well established. Anything new a teacher wants to introduce needs to be approved. However, the way the class is conducted is under the authority of the teacher.
The teacher chooses the strategies where the school methodology swings, so to speak. So, at the end the teacher accommodates in the whole mechanism of the learning process. That's why everything is diagnosed, and students are assessed through preconceived scales to see if the information imparted has been assimilated.
But the all dimension changes when a teacher's duty spans beyond of that being just a messenger. And that's when the "educator" terminology shows up.
Educators
In certain regions of Asia, like Japan, the role of a teacher spans toward other terrains. He or she is not seen as a mere communicator. A teacher must involve and take part of the whole student's development, intellectual and personal.
This may sound like an intrusion. But their culture see them even as a father figure. But what about in other countries? Well, there are some interesting points that touch on the Japanese philosophy.
For those who are into sports, probably you've had good coaches and excellent coaches. The good ones give you intelligent instructions to perform well. And the excellent ones not only improve your skills, but they also motivate and encourage you. They form you as whole person beyond the sport domain.
And educators are just like the latter. They don't just impart. They show you the importance of improvement. They prove you why education will give you the tools for a fuller life. They teach you how to manage and handle the information your brain process in a proactive way. And they also give room for you to discover the knowledge and shape your own ideals.
Through The Teaching Training
When an aspiring teacher goes through the initial training, he or she is merely equipped with strategies (pedagogy) to manage lessons. There might be optional courses regarding discipline and other elements. But the program is basically focuses on the delivery of the information. Of course, this depends on where you live as I stated above.
How To Get The Best Of Both Approaches
For teachers, this can be a little difficult considering the regulations and norms they must obey. But there are some important guidelines based on common sense.
First off, you will never have to forget that the most important lessons are imparted at home. And that's a line you cannot cross because you shouldn't. Principles are to be taught at home, and teachers/educators should enforce them later through examples.
Teachers are driven by two tendencies. One is providing the knowledge students need to prepare themselves for any academic career or profession, and the other is to encourage and cement the virtues and morals.
So, no matter where you live, or under any educational system you interact with, I think any teacher must adapt to the reality he's facing, and then do what's on his hands to train future professionals with integrity.
This is my second entry of the teaching series from teacher's angle. You can check out the other post below.
Image from the film "Scent Of A Woman"
