Let us imagine, only by teaching with the correct understanding, excellent teachers will get the eternal reward if the knowledge is being applied and spread. ‘Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.’ This is the English translation of a part of verse 11 from Surah Mujadilah. Allah is informing us that a person with knowledge will be raised their level compared to those without understanding.

The bonus is more when the person that has knowledge applies it and spread it to educate others. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing be upon him) once said. He said “He who calls others to follow the Right Guidance will have a reward equal to the reward of those who follow him, without their reward being diminished in any respect on that account.”[1]

Reflecting on the mentioned Quranic verse and hadith, it is really motivating for us to seek knowledge and to educate. The reward is continuous. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported from the prophet. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a beneficial knowledge, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased).”[2]

There are many factors that can help us becoming an excellent teacher to our students. Besides delivering the right knowledge with the right content, a teacher should understand the correct methods to educate and managing the classroom.

Classroom Scenario

Let us reflect on this scenario. ‘Sofia refused to go to school for one month. She has a good relationship with friends, did not have problem with her homework and enjoys doing her after school activities. Sofia refused to tell the real reason behind her absence from school. After a series of asking and persuading, she finally said. The reason was that she was shouted at by Ms. Jayjay during coral speaking practice. She threw her English workbook towards Sofia because she was not satisfied with her classwork.’  Ms. Jayjay must have been really upset with Sofia but is she using the correct way of handling the students during her lesson?

All excellent teachers know the three essential classroom management tools. These can help to make learning an enjoyable and meaningful experience for both the teachers and the students. What are they? They are content management, conduct management and covenant management. If Ms. Jayjay really practices these three essential points, Sofia would surely have no problem going to Ms. Jayjay’s class. 

1. Conduct Management

In managing classroom, a teacher should have a set of procedural skills in managing and addressing discipline issues in the classroom. This is known as conduct management. If a student is misbehaving, an excellent teacher does not punish but manage it. When Adam misbehaved in Ms. Lina‘s classroom, Ms. Lina would anticipate early and distract Adam from his misconduct with calm. This is done to avoid disruption in the lesson and affecting other students attention. At the same time, Ms. Lina would try to find the root cause to prevent it from happening again in the future. As an excellent teacher, Ms. Lina has already prepared herself to handle misbehavior issue before she goes into the class.

2. Content Management

In managing the content, a teacher should not only deliver the knowledge but also maintain the space, materials, equipment and movement of people during lessons. Even better if the knowledge that we provide to our student is integrated with the understanding of the Deen. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “When Allah wishes good for someone, He bestows upon him the understanding of Deen.”[3]

3. Covenant Management 

Being a good teacher is not complete if a teacher has only content and conduct management, but he or she has to have the covenant management ability too. It focuses on the classroom group as a social system in managing the interpersonal relationship in the classroom. A teacher should get to know the students beyond the classroom by looking into their family members, their community and their house. These could help to create the bonding and trust that a teacher and student should have that will lead to better knowledge delivery towards the student

Be the person who spread good knowledge with excellent classroom management. Be a unique and outstanding teacher to our students. Be like Ms. Lina. Cheers!!

[1] Sahih Muslim Book 13, Hadith 7

[2] Narrated Sahih Muslim Book 13, Hadith 8

[3] From Sahih Bukhari, Muslim Book 13, Hadith 1

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