Options
Developing resilience: the role of teachers
Citation
Teaching and Learning, 20(1), 10-18
Author
Cheng, Yuan Shan
•
Mau, Rosalind Y.
Abstract
"Today I was a counsellor, a disciplinarian, a lecturer, a nurse, a coach and a facilitator of knowledge ... .Today I was a TEACHER." Teachers in schools have a significant influence on the child and the adolescent. The experiences of students in school affect them in various ways either by exacerbating or by protecting them from debilitating consequences. Rutter (1987) explains that schools can be protective because they promote self- esteem and self-efficacy. Teachers can develop protective factors for students, such as having a supportive relationship with at least one person and using problem-solving skills in daily life. These protective factors help students have a belief and power in themselves to deal with changes and difficulties. Teachers can nurture and strengthen these protective factors, and thereby enhance resilience. They can provide opportunities for students to experience success which enable them to develop essential social and problem-solving skills. Yet, the role of teachers has received relatively little consideration in the study of resilience.
Date Issued
1999