BALANCE AND DEMARCATION BETWEEN SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF TEACHERS (Pages 38-45) by Ms. Simmi* and Ms. Edna Esther Kerketta in THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST / ISSN: 2350-1499 (Online); 2350-0751 (Print)

Teaching requires dedicated, inventive and innovative planning. The above statement reiterates the fact that the teacher should not only be a dedicated professional but aid largely in innovative planning of the lessons and also be a reflective practitioner. With each activity requiring expertise and adequate time, can there be a demarcation between the social and professional life of teachers? Many studies have proved that professional development of teachers depends upon the strength of relationship between the teacher and the students. Does this imply that while building this relationship the teacher has to amalgamate the professional and social life to grow not only as a human but also as a professional? With rising levels of competition and expectations in teaching profession, does a teacher really utilize the time after professional commitment for the day to enhance social interaction, and does this factor affect the personality as an individual but also as a teacher? Various studies indicate lack of rest or social interaction does not aid in constructive development but rather has a degrading effect. In this paper attempt has been made to enumerate various factors responsible for growth of professional and social life of teachers or have an adverse effect, thereby impacting the teacher-student relationship. Keywords: inventive and innovative planning, reflective practitioner, dedicated profession, professional commitment, teacher-student relationship etc.