Teachers, have confidence in your students

A student performs their best when they look up to their teachers. When someone sees you as a model, they look up to you, want to be like you and to achieve what you have achieved — teachers are thrilled. I did consider some teachers whom I look up to and who speak highly of my good attitude as a student. They showed me that they have confidence in me.

They gave me something valuable, a purpose to live for. In return, I delivered what was required. When you have confidence in someone, the least they could do is to perform their best to prove that you are right about them, that they deserve your confidence, and that they will perform up to your expectations.

It is not easy to find someone who will take the time and go out of their way to trust your abilities and foresee potential in you. It is actually something rare to find, and that’s why it is valuable. Some students haven’t even gained the confidence of their own families, but most family members aren’t experts in psychology and education. Thus, the moment they find someone who believes in them and reassures them that they are capable, that is the moment they show their true capabilities and start soaring.

All this leads the student to have a sense of guilt; they want to do anything to avoid disappointing those who show confidence in them. They become obliged to act in an extraordinary manner that is unprecedented for them, though surprisingly still within their yet undiscovered capabilities.

I had never thought of continuing my MA until a teacher told me that I should. I also had never thought of teaching at a university as a career goal until a teacher told me that I could. I am not saying I consider myself to be weak, but there is something different when someone supports you.

To have someone who cares to test your abilities, foresee your potential, and tell you that they have confidence in you is one of the rarest gifts. I always pray that more teachers have it because now I am aware of its power. Placing confidence in students is the most valuable favour that a teacher could do their students, at least given my 4-year experience at SQU. May Allah bless teachers who do their job sincerely.