Question

After reading the material from Henry Giroux about public intellectuals and their role in higher education, share your own thoughts about what role you believe teachers should play.

Answer 1

Henry Giroux had made strong advancements in the field of education. In my opinion a teacher can make or break the future of their students as the students look upto them for some inspiration in their lives. According to me the main roles that a teacher needs to play are as follows:

• The teachers need to “think critically” and analyze social issues and proposed histories. They must be able to locate themselves in their own history and exercise moral and civic responsibilities.
• Career counselling: Teachers have had careers of their own and have made decisions about whether to go to university, what subjects to study and what jobs to do. Their experiences are useful for young people. These things need to be presented carefully, as what worked for the teacher may not work for the students, but teachers should be having career conversations.
• Teachers also have a well-developed pastoral duty. As trusted adults, young people approach them with concerns and dilemmas, many of which relate to future aspirations.