A metaphor on teacher-learner

autonomyBy Víctor Lugo

We, teachers are like waterWe adopt different forms to be present everywhere, helping develop and maintain social life.

We can transform lives because we have developed that capacity through our training

Even if our impact is minimal, it is always worth it.

No matter what our learners become, we

should always provide them with elements

which help them grow healthy and strong.

We are agents of change

That is why we should always be clean and empowering.

Sometimes we feel constrained, LIKE LAKES OR DAMS

AND WE WANT TO BREAK FREE

But we can become rivers, instead:

moving,growing and helping all those along

our way.

better

When we strive to help our students, we change inside, we become

However, a high degree of responsibility is required so that we do not

AFFECT OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES OR OUR OWN LIVES

TO SUMMARISE• We have developed capacities to grow and help

others grow: we are empowered and we empower.• Though there are some restrictions, we are agents of

change. However, these restrictions provide us with the drive to move forward because we have to think of alternatives.

• We have to make responsible decisions because they have a deep effect on learners’ lives and on society as a whole.

• We have to be careful of our own accountability and reliability as teachers and as members of society and the best way is to engage in career-long learning.

• As a consequence of the previous aspect, we actually become role models of autonomy for our students.

REFERENCESSmith, R. (2003). Teacher education for

teacher-learner autonomy. Retrieved on August 21, 2009 from http://www.warwick.ac.uk/~elsdr/Teacher_autonomy.pdf.

Vieira, F. (2007). Teacher autonomy: why should we care? Independence, 40, 20-28. Retrieved on August 21, 2009 from www.learnerautonomy.org/Vieira2007.pdf.