When explaining the role that teachers provide, metaphors for teaching are an effective tool to help illustrate the point.
Teacher
Teachers Metaphors
When explaining the role that teachers provide, metaphors for teaching are an effective tool to help illustrate the point.
Teachers’ metaphors can help students better grasp teachers’ roles in their lives. In addition to the teachers’ metaphors, using these examples is helpful for students learning about metaphors.
Let’s look at a couple of the most straightforward and useful metaphors. Teaching metaphors are most effective when examples familiar to your students are used. If you are a teacher who is working on this concept with their students, take a look at the following examples to integrate into your lesson plan:
- Gardener
- Coach
- Juggler
- Artist
- Tour Guide
- Dispatcher
Education resources
Easy to Understand Teaching Metaphors
Metaphors are a powerful way to illustrate abstract concepts in a way that students can easily understand.
Sports coach or trainer
One of the most closely aligned metaphors is that of a coach or fitness trainer. In many instances, students and athletes can reach their goals independently. Their teachers, trainers, and coaches help them get there more quickly and efficiently. They always ensure their athletes are training, learning their plays, and getting enough practice. Similar to teachers, coaches also encourage collaboration and teamwork. They don’t let their players quit and are always there to help them through the most difficult times.
They also help their athletes to determine their optimal level of performance. Coaches and trainers help their athletes to build on their assets and work through their limitations. Trainers know a variety of different techniques that they can use to improve the performance of their clients. Teachers also possess these qualities and perform similar duties.
Dispatcher
Dispatchers, such as those who work for taxi companies and emergency services providers, also act like teachers. They manage a lot of different people at the same time. They can direct others in the most efficient manner possible from their removed position. Dispatchers are involved in the situation from the start. They can analyze the situation and determine the next right step. When there is an emergency, they can dispatch the right people to fix the situation. In a classroom, teachers can determine that additional help is needed for some students and add more professionals to the educational team.
Dispatchers and teachers can keep everyone calm when things are difficult and determine the best way to address a dicey situation. When someone doesn’t know how to help themselves, both pros can encourage others to manage the situation successfully.
Juggler
Keeping multiple objects in the air simultaneously is an impressive feat! There is a lot of training and precision involved in this sport. It requires a lot of balance, concentration, and discipline. These are all traits that teachers also need. Their focus is similar to that of a teacher. They create the lesson plans, teach the material, and ensure that their students have mastered what they need to do. Education encompasses many steps, and teachers must simultaneously take care of many facets of the process.
Keeping a lot of balls in the air is something that successful teachers excel at. This metaphor is also applicable because of the necessity of being able to pay attention to many different balls (students) at the same time.
Artist
Creating art is a multi-sensory experience that requires many positive traits. All of the efforts of an artist work toward a finished product that is pleasing to the viewer or listener. Whether creating a symphony, a sculpture, or a painting, an artist draws upon many skills and talents. The best works of art contain a lot of passion and emotion. They may have an innate talent but can also develop the necessary skills. Think of the students as clay or marble and the teacher as the artist.
Teachers help students to tap into their passion and innate skills. They also work as artists to sculpt and mold the educational lives of their students.
Gardener
One of the aptest teaching metaphors is that of gardening. A gardener, much like a teacher, starts with an undeveloped seed that they nurture and help to reach its potential. With their attention and care, the students in a teacher’s charge will blossom and thrive. Teachers, like gardeners, know the best conditions for each plant or student. Just as some plants require shade and cool temperatures, some students may need extra help with math and science. Just as a gardener tills the soil, pulls weeds, and nurtures every plant and flower, a teacher performs a similar role. Teachers know the desired outcomes at the start of each semester and work with their students to help them reach those goals. They can give certain students extra attention in certain subjects and let them grow independently in others. Teachers work to nurture positive habits and remove those that are negative.
Tour guide
Visiting a new city is always exciting. It can also be an overwhelming and confusing experience. With an experienced tour guide, the visit can be even better. With a knowledgeable tour guide, you can learn from someone with the relevant information. The parallels continue when you think about how it’s possible to find one’s way through a new area, but the experience is better with a guide. A tour guide will work with you when they know where you want to go. They will help to plan the route and prepare you with anything you need to reach your desired destination.
These metaphors help to illustrate the role that teachers play. They also provide an effective way to teach metaphors. Teaching metaphors can be difficult when children have trouble grasping abstract concepts. With these metaphors, students can draw from their relationships and interactions with their teachers to better understand metaphors.
