Percakapan yang menarik dengan siswa SMA saat ujian PPL beberapa
waktu yang lalu,
Saya: kalian
suka diajar oleh guru yang seperti apa?
Siswa: guru
yang mengajarnya enak, yang bisa "menjelajahi" muridnya, seperti bu Yulia (guru
kimia di SMA tersebut) dan guru PPL (mahasiswa yang sedang praktek mengajar)
Saya: seperti
apa itu?
Siswa: guru yang bisa menyesuaikan diri dengan
muridnya, paham sifat dan cara muridnya belajar.
Percakapan di atas menjadi inspirasi untuk tulisan sederhana yang saya rangkum dari berbagai sumber sebagai bahan renungan bagi para guru dan calon guru.
Nowhere does the
quality of a school system exceed the quality of its teachers. Teachers are the
leader of the classroom. There are many characteristics to be a good
educational leader, and the following are seven of the most important.
1.
Self-aware
A
good educational leader needs a solid understanding of oneself and should also
have self confidence. Teachers with self confidence are not scared or nervous
about the decisions they are making, and they are not afraid of what other
people think of them. They should know how to start each day and lead their classroom
and their students in the right direction and help to accomplish the goals of
the learning.
2.
Excellent communication
The
best educational leaders are excellent communicators. The best leaders know how
to reach a variety of people in many different ways. For instance, a teacher
might have one-on-one chats with students each week and also send out a daily
e-mail update. This way, the teacher takes the time to communicate in-person
but also makes communication convenient by e-mailing the students as well.
3.
Resourceful
Educational
leaders are resourceful and open to new ideas that might improve their
classroom. They also need to know how to
use the resources they have to the best of their ability. A good leader does
not get set in his or her own way, but takes the information from the past and
applies it to the resources of the future.
4.
Lead by example
The
best leaders in the educational system make it a point to lead by example, and
not simply by words. It is easy to spell out rules and dictate them from an
ivory tower. If a teacher wants students to show one another respect, then the
teacher must show them what being respectful is all about. This method is
effective and powerful, and helps to teach students an important life lesson as
well.
5.
Good commitment
To
reach the goals of learning, teacher must feel a real sense of purpose and
progress. Teacher can’t afford to be moderate about its transformational
commitment. The teacher must define who they are, because it will transforms
students in the classroom. The values that espouse must be real, because the
condition of the classroom demands teacher's attention.
6.
Tell the truth
Truth
plays a vital role in leadership. Students expect teacher to tell the truth.
They expect that teacher will uphold the truth so that they personally can
follow safely. If a teacher is obviously not truthful then student will have
difficulty trusting their actions and reactions to situations.
7.
Power of teaching and learning
Above all, educational leaders must have a belief in the
system and the students they are teaching. If a teacher does not believe the
students can do it, or does not feel the teachers are adequate, then everyone
is doomed to failure. Student will not be motivated to make the change if the
teacher does not believe the change can happen.
There are many different characteristics and traits of
a good leader, but these ensure that anyone who can embody these traits can
make a good leader in the school system. These traits can be applied in a
variety of different circumstances. Teachers must strive to be the best leaders
of their classrooms and teach students how to become the leaders of tomorrow. MP