Losing role models is a significant source of problems for a civilization. As the times become more tumultuous, identity crises deepen, and moral and ethical degradation worsens. Various demands are becoming more apparent, while the supply and expectations are only placed on those who are currently striving to stand firm in front of the generations of the community.
Being an educator, once again, is not the only profession that can save a family’s financial situation. It is a misconception to think that being a teacher is one of the references to be done to save our own lives. Being a teacher is indeed one way to save the lives of future generations, in the long-term span of civilization. If unable to be an example. A era will crumble, crumble.
“The fact is that I was only sent to perfect noble character.”
The task of a teacher, in a narrow sense, is indeed to teach in a madrasah environment. More broadly, teaching and educating are not just about the quality and quantity of the subject matter in the teaching module. Educating and teaching is a task of exemplary behavior. Someone who learns must teach. The learning process is not just about becoming a doctor or professor, it is a lifelong process. Therefore, the task of teaching is also like that. This means that being a teacher is an absolute necessity. Teaching is not about dry knowledge. Exemplary behavior is the essence of everything.
Often, we pour out and criticize the system or curriculum changes by the government. Restless, not yet resolved and passed the evaluation. Then adapting to new things again. Imbalances and confusion always occur. Our various opinions, from the pandemic until now consistently discuss the changing educational ecosystem. Restlessness often arises because of the government’s policies’ mismatch with the results in the field. The demands of the community layer always exist, but government regulations and decisions silence them.
So, today’s society is scratching their heads and asking again. What innovations are appropriate for the future sustainability of a generation of students in the Madrasah? Exemplary behavior, prophetic character. Every teacher and educator is expected to instill character before reaping and forming a habit into a routine. Integrity, credibility, accountability, and intelligence. Only a change of terms from “siddiq, amanah, tabligh” and “fathanah.” Exemplary behavior that must be possessed by every teacher and educator wherever they are. A teacher with a good spirit always gives birth to good educators and students. Without a good spirit, teaching methods are just methods. Teaching modules are just scenarios. The curriculum is a design and limitation made to achieve goals. Dry, and difficult to absorb knowledge and learning, “… while you are not given knowledge except a little.”
Being an example cannot be passed through a short process. Not just armed with hard work. If it were not for closeness to the Almighty Creator, the right goals to face the harshness of life could not be achieved. Exemplary teachers are always prepared to be able to solve difficult problems that are difficult to find answers to. The difficulty is not entirely the fault of the students or parents. But the presence of the ruhul mudarris as a pillar and basic foundation. The unpreparedness of a generation in the future depends on our unpreparedness as teachers and educators, in the beautiful times of a learner.
Quoting the Arab poet, Asy-Syauqi. “Welcome the teacher, and give him respect. Almost a teacher becomes a messenger, (or equals his function and position).” That a teacher, deserves and should be an example. Not only in front of his students. But also the parents of his students, his neighbors, his siblings, and even his own children. Each of us is a teacher. Each of us is responsible for being an example.
May we all always be teachers who can be a good example, so that we can educate and become pillars of the community, before finally becoming a record in the hereafter. Many things need to be improved, a variety of problems our children face today can be overcome if we are willing to realize early on. sentence: “The cat chased the mouse through the backyard.”
Rewritten sentence: “Through the backyard, the mouse was chased by the cat.”