The word “Teacher” means a person who teaches in a school, whereas a person need
not work in a hospital to be doctor and need not appear in court to be an advocate, so teaching
refers to a process taking in a place or institution. It is consider being a profession rather than
service. But, it should be classified as service through profession or a professional service.
The tendency of the teachers should be such that they should realize the fact that each child sitting in front of them as a student is not a bundle of flesh, it has ‘urge’ for a search in it. The
duties and responsibilities of teachers should be of missionary zeal which brings satisfaction
to both teacher and the learner. The satisfaction should be mutual and reciprocal. But the
satisfaction of teachers depends upon mostly in the outcome of the efforts and performance of
a student. Swami ji has innumerable words for the teacher. Much weight is given to
piousness and characters of the teachers than the competence. Vivekananda says that the teacher should posses certain qualities. These are: A teacher should be a ‘tyaagi’ in the real
sense of the term. He should posses a sound moral character and led an ideal life. He should
remember that example is better than precept. Therefore, he should influence his pupils
through his ways of living, feeling, behaving and doing. A teacher must be dedicated to the
teaching profession with a view to rendering selfless service like an ancient guru. The teacher
should love his pupils. He should be sympathetic to his students. Without the sympathy he
cannot teach to the pupil. A teacher must have a machinery zeal and angelic motive behind
the act of teaching. The role of a teacher is like a gardener, who prepares a ground for his
plants, protects them, gives manure, water and makes the plants grow.