Most people, in and outside of education, agree that teachers, for the most part, should be and are great models for all learners. This is especially true for teachers imparting their knowledge to children and young people, who are, by virtue of their age, perhaps at their most impressionable and susceptible.

Given that apart from the parents, immediate family and close friends, teachers are the most visible presence in their lives, it’s fair to say that good or bad, you are in your role as an educator going to have some sort of impact on how they see and experience the world in the moment and beyond.

So, what do we exactly mean by a role model? What does this designation actually constitute? At a base level - a dictionary definition that is - it is someone who is “looked to by others as an example to be imitated”. That’s fairly accurate, but the not the complete picture.

A role model also implies being an individual whose behaviour, approach to life and the work they do - and the successes they enjoy - is appreciated by others. Moreover, its inspiring, it’s a standard that people respect and it’s enabling - role models challenge us to be better - to reach for the stars.

Needless to say, that weight of expectation is huge and while it isn’t certainly implied - a teachers are imbued with the responsibility to effectively teach their subject and ensure pupils are knowledgeable and skilled - it is still implicit.

For example, a professional who goes through the motions, hits all the objectives of their subject curriculum and achieves high grades is clearly doing a good job. They’re getting results through a prescriptive and effective approach. Yet, all the while, if lessons are dull, activities bland and enthusiasm absent, the learning experience is going to be less than memorable or impactful.

Conversely, an equally resourceful teacher - who imparts the right knowledge and insight, boosts standards and delivers exam success - can deliver a much more meaningful effect on pupils through more engaging and creative lessons. This goes beyond intended outcomes and that which can be easily quantified. It’s something deeper.

The thing to note is that teachers should actively acknowledge that they are role models and ensure that when it comes to teaching, engaging with students and interacting with other members of staff, that they are at the best, that they live by the values they subscribe to and lead by example. You have to, as a professional, be at the top of your game at all times.

It’s not easy being a role model, but it is so rewarding. Making a difference, whether that’s one pupil commenting on your lesson being the best they’ve had in ages, having a student write you a letter later in life thanking you for being a great teacher or seeing one of your former pupils succeed at their dreams, is all that counts.

Everything leading up to your first proper day as a teacher is challenging, exhausting and at times so difficult that you wonder what sort of daze you were in when you sat down and applied to gain a qualification in the profession.

Yet, as you arrive into your school, on the back of having successfully made it through teacher training, the application process and the interviews, you feel a slight pang of unease, a rumble of sorts in the belly, a brief stutter in your confident stride.

The reality hits you. This is it; the next step, the beginning of a new chapter, a whole new way of working and living. It’s not easy, but with our guide, you can rest-assured that as the bell rings and your pupils settle into the seats, by the time you’ve told them your name, you’ll be more than ready to make a positive difference.

Be the best teacher you can be

Without quite knowing it, children and young people have high expectations not just for new teachers who are starting out, but any teacher they come across for the first time during their entire experience of education. Live up to this - in fact go further.

Now, of course, you’re certainly not going to win any fans after one class, but, if you consistently exceed what they expect, through quality, engaging and creative teaching, you’re well on your way to being the best teacher you can be.

Be a master of your subject

The likelihood is that the subject you’ve chosen to teach is one you are passionate about, knowledgeable of and skilled in. Sure, there are some teachers who opt for a subject that they are good at, but if they are lacking the previous attributes, something is always going to be missing.

In which case, keep on top of new developments in your field, analyse the latest reports, engage with key figures, read new books and never stop asking questions. The deeper and more comprehensive your understanding and abilities are, the more students will get out of it.

Assess your work with reflection and feedback

The only way we’re ever going to learn is to pick up on positive and negative patterns - ask yourself, for example, why one particular lesson always goes down well or why a certain subject, told a certain way leads to apathy?

Through regular assessment - using your own reflective model - and pupil feedback, you can gather the data needed to analyse the good, the bad and even the ugly. Make time for this and you’ll notice things that you’ve previously overlooked or misunderstood.

Get to know your students

This is easier said than done but knowing your students as human beings helps you tailor your teaching, while also giving you insight into their character. You spend a lot of time working with them, after all, so it pays to be informed.

Moreover, you will be more adept at pushing them to go further at the right time, while also supporting them so that even when they’re struggling, they still possess the resolve, the character to succeed. You can’t do this if you don’t really know your students.