Teachers

Lifestyle Relationships
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This is not a religious thread, but I do need to point out the following hadiths to make myself clear:

According to the sayings of Prophet Mohammad s.a.w. slighting the teacher, mocking him and humiliating him are characteristics of hypocrites, as the Prophet s.a.w. said, ***“Three types of people would not be mocked except by a hypocrite, an old Muslim man, a knowledgeable person and a just leader” *(Tabaraani).

Moreover, the Prophet s.a.w. said,* **“O Allaah! Do not let me reach a time during which scholars are not followed, and honorable people are not respected” **(Ahmad). *

And there are numerous other hadiths pointing out the status of teachers in islam.

So here’s my question: What’s your relationship like with your teachers?

My brother-in-law, in his mid-20’s, absolutely worships his teachers!! He’s in Pakistan. And that made me think… Pakistani teachers beat the crap out of the students! If I was there, I probably would hate them all. **How come the relationship between pakistani teachers n students is alot stronger than the relationship that we share with our teachers in the west? **

Or may be there isn’t even a relationship.. I mean I just expect them to present their lecture, pass on their knowledge to me, and leave. Whereas in Pakistan, you’d be inviting your teachers to your wedding etc, you know?

I think Pakistani ustaads do more than just present lectures and leave… they actually create your personality, they influence you, they make u a better human being,… My brother-in-law’s relationship with his teachers just amazes me… I couldn’t ever imagine being so close to my teachers here.. not because I’m not a good student, but because… we just don’t let anyone get too personal with us here in the west… and teachers are a big no no!

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My relationship with my teachers:

I do mock them like any typica student would, but i don't mean anything bad, and I know I shouldn't do it, at least not behind their backs.

I do respect them, never ever spoke rudely to a teacher, even if they were unfair.

I do not idealise them, coz never came across such a teacher.

I don't worship them/love them... kept it formal. And so did they.

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Re: Teachers

er, teaching is not a profession that is respected by a lot of Pakistanis. It's not a "real job". Stupid mentality if you ask me ...

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^ I know.. anyone can become a teacher in Pakistan in the smaller cities.

But still... the kind of relationship that the teachers and students share in Pakistan is still a lot different and a lot stronger, no?

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Really? Why is that? I have never heard of it not being a respected job. In fact, its one of the few jobs thats "acceptable" for a woman to have.

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[QUOTE]

Or may be there isn't even a relationship.. I mean I just expect them to present their lecture, pass on their knowledge to me, and leave. Whereas in Pakistan, you'd be inviting your teachers to your wedding etc, you know?

[/QUOTE]

Yea, so you can be sure you'll get a good mark. Even if you are a smart student, if you aren't a teachers pet you will get a bad mark. And vice vera.

Just look at viva exams in Pakistan, even for things like medicine.

Thankfully over here are rules to safeguard students from this kind of thing.

Your post is very confused.

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Re: Teachers

I'm referring to the types (and this type does exist) who believe that if you aren't a doctor or engineer you aren't anything. I'm also referring to teaching in the West, not Pakistan.

I don't know why teachers are given slack. They shape the minds of the future.

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Re: Teachers

Sara, People see it as a waste in a lot of instances, particularly for men.

Also, do you know how many Pakistanis have asked why I am teaching when I am an intelligent woman? It's like smart people are being wasted upon the teaching profession! Why teach when I could have been a doctor?? Teachers are often seen as women passing time until marriage. Some teachers are given more respect, but rarely. I've had so many arguments about my choice of profession with Pakistanis, and it all comes down to the fact that you don't make as much money as you potentially can. I have tried countless time to talk about quality of life, passion for a career, etc, but that just doesn't make sense to them.

huma -- I've never seen the relationships you describe amongst Pakistanis. I definitely see that here in the US. I've been invited into students' homes. I regularly invite my senior class into my home at the end of the year. They all have me on their Facebook (once they graduate). They excitedly tell me about their plans and lives outside of the class.

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This thread may be confusing because I'm trying to put together various things in one thread... sorry I'm not a writer, just a typer.

I guess I'm comparing my brother-in-law's relationship with his teachers to my relationship with my teachers...

I'm comparing the status of teachers in islam to the status that they are given in the present times...

I'm looking at how the western teachers just present the notes and leave, whereas desi teachers actually influence your personality...

Sorry, it is confusing but I'm sure you get the hang of it, so plz fire away with your opinions.

Cheers.

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Ya I also know many people who don't respect the profession........which I don't understand why? I have high respect for the profession......saying that I have had my good and bad teachers, as for relationships I think I have had stronger relationships with my teachers in middle or high school.....definitely not the same thing as University, you just go to class, listen and come out, I don't even go to thier office hours ever

However there is one teacher who I really got along with, but I had her for two semesters in classes with labs, so I had more opportunity to interact with the teacher ......but its good to have poistive relationships with teachers.....you never know when your going to need a strong Letter of Rec. :D

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^ lol... but u still wouldn't invite her to your wedding etc. would u??

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That's strange--I find teaching to be a very difficult job that not just any person can do. Everybody keeps telling me to go into teaching, but I wonder why they think its just so easy? I could never be a teacher--it takes a really strong and patient person to be one.

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A very good friend of mine is a teacher at high school. He teaches biology to Grade 12 students here in North America. He tells me that students often take teachers for granted and of course ridiculed by students who are not interested in learning. Sad..very sad.

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^ I'm not surprised. I guess even in Pakistan only 10% or less of the students know of the hadiths/islamic value of teachers.

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Umm ya that would be weird…but there are some highschool teachers who I might consider :hmmm:

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Your opinions seem confused not the post.

As Sahar pointed out, she has good relationships with some of her students too. It’s like this anywhere in the world - a good teacher who respects the students and the subject will be respected back and remembered.

The differences you point out in the above post exists in both societies; it’s not all western teachers just leave notes and all desi teachers shape you.

Talking about university lecturers in particular. In the UK for science, which is your field I believe, lectureship is usually just part of a role. Your lecturers will mostly be academic researchers who lead research groups and are expected to bring in grants for research. Teaching students is just a small part of their job, a lot of them have no desire to do it and are not necessarily good teachers.

We know the situation of research in Pakistan. A lot university lecturers* only* teach so they do it whole heartedly. They don’t have research to lead, they don’t have proposals to write, they don’t have papers to review.

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lol see what i mean… Even I would find it soo weird.. But my brother-in-law was absolutely dying for his teachers to attend his wedding! (he’s not even studying any more)… he kept calling them to make sure they were coming, and when they arrived, he treated them like they were his parents or something…

I am very friendly with most of my lecturers but I don’t ever talk anything personal with them…

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@Stoppit: You're right about the university part, I mean there's hundreds of students in one class, how can we expect the lecturer to know us personally... but even at the school level, there is always a barrier between the teacher and the student, that doesn't seem to exist between pakistani teachers and students.

It could be a good thing or a bad thing... depends on what way one looks at it.

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I have to agree. All of my cousins live in pakistan and not once have I ever heard any of them talk about this sort of relationship. They have gone to amazing schools, academies, colleges, and universities there. And not one cousin has mentioned this. One of my cousins is a teacher HERSELF there and she hasn't even come across this. I on the other hand have had wonderful relationships thru ought the years with various teachers and professors MashAllah se. I had some extremely wonderful high school teachers that I am still in touch with and they have had a huge impact on how I turned out. They really took the time to get to know me and I really appreciate it . I have heard so many wonderful stories about what a great impact high school teachers have had on some of their students.

Same thing happened in college ... i had this one awesome professor who had a huge impact me. She is the one who actually inspired me to go onto law school. :)

I dont think it depends on the the country perhaps... I think this "relationship" depends on things such as compatibility between 2 people like any other relationship. And like any other relationship, it has to be one to be nurtured. It's not just the teacher that has to be all about getting to know the student, a student should also have this same desire to seek out the teacher and ask them for advice, confide in them, etc.

Huma - have you ever gone to office hours and discussed things other than school work with a professor. There are some amazing professors out there that take all the time in the world to help guide their student. They are truly teaching for the right reasons.

And yes - these are people that I would invite to my wedding. Some of my old high school teachers have invited me to their baby showers and such as well. We always make the effort to see each other when I come home.

And I live in America.

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Re: Teachers

[QUOTE]
@Stoppit: You're right about the university part, I mean there's hundreds of students in one class, how can we expect the lecturer to know us personally... but even at the school level, there is always a barrier between the teacher and the student, that doesn't seem to exist between pakistani teachers and students.

It could be a good thing or a bad thing... depends on what way one looks at it.
[/QUOTE]

^I don't think so. I had a very good relationship with some of my school teachers. I even had one teacher who would come over for dinner after I left that school (it's considered slightly improper to do that whilst you are being taught).

You are also forgetting that British culture is a lot more reserved. Most teachers don't want that frankness with students and prefer to keep their personal lives to themselves.

Happy birthday Ehsan bhai