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Role Model
Role models may be defined as individuals who are worthy of imitation in some area of life. In educational circles, a role model is at times used as a synonym with the terms mentor or hero and at other times as a way to describe a relationship that falls somewhere in between the two terms. There is evidence that interacting with individuals defined as role models has an effect on children's perceptions and behavior.
Adults as Role Models
Children view adults—such as parents, teachers, principals, and ministers—as the most important role models in their lives. Adults, then, serve as a visible, influential model for children. In connection to education, modeling and teaching life skills can serve as the foundation for building academic achievers.
One important responsibility of an educator is to model active learning—by making his or her learning visible, students come to see their own learning as serious. Because of the influence of the position, the responsibility of role modeling for principals is essential; teachers, staff, parents, students, and community members look to them as role models
Students as Role Models
The value of students as role models has been identified as an influential resource for educating other students. Models and programs have been developed that allow students to learn from each other. For instance, the Peer Group Connection is a program that trains seniors to serve as mentors to freshmen. The seniors and their advisers are trained in human relations and facilitation skills. Research completed on the program suggests that freshman grades, attendance, and behavior improve. In turn, senior peer leaders acquire expanded interpersonal skills.
Another example of a student role model program is the Program for Women in Science and Engineering (PWSE). The program identifies college science and engineering female students to present hands-on activities at schools and career conferences and to encourage women and underrepresented populations to pursue careers within traditionally male-dominated fields, like science, technological, engineering, or mathematical fields of study.
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