Teaching as Profession

1.     What is teaching?

IN education, teachers facilitate student learning, often in a school or academy or perhaps in another environment such as outdoors. A teacher who teaches on an individual basis may be described as a tutor.

       2.     WHAT IS A PROFESSION?

When most people talk about the professions, they are unknowingly using the ideas of two early sociological theories: trait models and structural-functionalism. Since the public continues to use these ideas long after sociologists have abandoned them, it is important that we take a moment to examine what these two theories say, and why they are wrong.

Teaching as professions is divided into many areas of specializations, each requiring different skill-set and method of training. 

2.1    Introduction

 Since time immemorial, Teaching has been considered as one of the noblest professions. Teachers have always played the role of catalyst for social changes in the society.

The mankind has always regarded teachers as a boon to the society because it’s only a teacher who by making use of his/ her intelligence, patience and wisdom attempts to not only polish the learner's intellect and aptitude but also takes steps to shape up a  multi-faceted  personality.

 2.2    Eligibility  of professional teacher.

The teaching profession is a highly specialized field, and hence requires comprehensive training to gain expertise in the field. It has some myths about it. It is commonly believed that anyone can teach, provided he has some knowledge for the subject. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Knowledge is just one thing that a teacher should have among other things. The fundamental qualities required are excellent communication skills, the ability to hold the attention of young minds, to inspire confidence and finally, the ability to set an example by word and deed. 

2.3     Skills and Attributes of professional teacher.

One requires a blend essential attributes like patience, confidence, liking for and an understanding of children/ students. Teachers must also have organizing capacity, friendly and helpful nature and skill to communicate well, to initiate a liking in their students minds even in the case of most boring subjects.  A Teacher has to be a friend, philosopher and guide to his wards. The candidate should be initiative driven, passionate about the cause and role of teaching in the society.

    2.4     Professional qualities of a teacher

           There are some   qualities of   professional teacher. 

        1.     Positive

Thinks positively about people and what they are capable of becoming. Sees the good in any situation and can move forward to make the most of difficult situations when confronted with obstacles. Encourages others to also be positive.

      2.     Communicative

Shares with others in a manner that encourages effective two-way communication. Communicates personal thoughts and feelings on a wide spectrum of issues and can listen to students in an empathetic manner, assuring each that conversations will be held in confidence.

     3.     Dependable

Honest in working with others. Consistently lives up to commitments to students and others. Works with them in an open, honest, and forthright manner.

      4.      Personable

 Establishes and maintains positive mutual working relationships. Likes to be with others. Has many ways of getting to know students as persons while building trust and appreciation through personal interaction and involvement.

      5.     Motivational

  Enthusiastic with standards and expectations for students and self. Understands the intrinsic motivations of individuals, and knows what it is that motivates students. Takes action in constructive ways.

     6.      Flexible

Willing to alter plans and directions in a manner which assists people in moving toward their goals. Seeks to reason out situations with students and staff in a manner that allows all people to move forward in a positive direction.

       7.     Knowledgeable

 Is in a constant quest for knowledge. Keeps up in his or her specialty areas, and has the insight to integrate new knowledge. Takes knowledge and translates it to students in a way which is comprehensible to them, yet retains its originality.

      8.     Creative

 Versatile, innovative, and open to new ideas. Strives to incorporate techniques and activities that enable students to have unique and meaningful new growth experiences.

9.     Patient

Is deliberate in coming to conclusions. Strives to look at all aspects of the situation and remains highly fair and objective under most difficult circumstances. Believes that problems can be resolved if enough input and attention is given by people who are affected.

      10.           Sense of Humor

Knows how to take the tension out of tight situations. Uses humor, spontaneously, in a tasteful manner. Builds togetherness in the classroom, through the use of humor.

2.5  The Characteristics of Professional Teacher

Here are some characteristics of great teachers:

       1.     Clear Objectives

 Good teachers are well organized and have clear ideas about their daily teaching plans, assignments, and grading policies. Their structured lessons and assignments offer many opportunities for students to learn new skills.

      2.     Command over Subject

 Those seeking excellence in teaching continue to gain additional knowledge of their subjects and instill this desire in their students, too.

      3.     Great Expectations

Good teachers always push their students to strive for their goals. They will always motivate them to trust their own abilities, take chances, and experiment with different approaches.

      4.     Positive Attitude

 Instead of complaining about students' lack of abilities and manners and teachers' long work hours, good teachers accept all of these as challenges. They know that humiliating students or intimidating them is not in their students'—or their—best interests.

     5.     Student Evaluations

 Student assessments help good teachers evaluate their contributions to students' progresses.                                                  

      6.     Objectivity

 For great teachers, all students are equal. They maintain consistent behaviors and distance themselves from partiality.

7. Courtesy.

 He shows polite and thoughtful behavior toward the public, clientele, and supervisor-subordinate relationship into work situations.  This is evident most in a non-populist or non-popular leadership style of immediate superiors or principal.

2.6    Learning Principles for Professional Teacher

        1.       The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline the teacher teaches, and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for all students.

       2.       The teacher understands how all children learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social, career, and personal development.

       3.       The teacher understands how students differ in their ability and approaches to learning and creates opportunities that foster achievement of diverse learners in the inclusive classroom.

        4.       The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies, including interdisciplinary learning experiences, to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

       5.       The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

        6.       The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal and media communication techniques supported by appropriate technology to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.

         7.       The teacher plans instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals.

        8.       The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner.

         9.       The teacher thinks systematically about practice, learns from experience, seeks the advice of others, draws upon educational research and scholarship, and actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

        10.   The teacher contributes to school effectiveness by collaborating with other professionals and parents, by using community resources, and by working as an advocate to improve opportunities for student learning.

   2.7    Professional standards for teaching

      Professional teaching standards are informed by practice, theory and research. Teachers have demonstrated that they can develop publicly credible and professionally challenging standards for professional practice.   

   Professional standards for teaching should:

·        Ÿ  Be applied in the interests of learners, the profession and the public

·        Ÿ  Provide a framework for teacher qualifications

·        Ÿ  Be clear to the profession

·        Ÿ  Promote teaching as a desirable career

·        Ÿ  Focus on high-level capabilities and be described in terms of professional knowledge, understanding, skills and values

·        Ÿ  Promote engagement in professional learning throughout a teacher’s career, allowing for different points of entry and re-entry to the profession

·        Ÿ  Acknowledge the responsibility of employers and the profession to establish conditions conducive to developing and maintaining profession-defined standards.

               2.8            Teaching profession involves working the following objectives:

·        Ÿ  To be knowledgeable about and skilled in subject matter and pedagogy

·        Ÿ  To be effective in the care and development of all learners

·        Ÿ  To act as a strong advocate for the profession

·        Ÿ  To contribute to the development of the knowledge base of the profession

·        Ÿ  To reflect a strong ethical orientation across all areas of learning and teaching.

2.9         The skills and knowledge of an effective teacher

          1.     Effective professional learning focuses on developing the core attributes of an effective teacher.

          2.     It enhances teachers’ understanding of the content they teach and equips them with a range of strategies that enable their students to learn that content.

        3.     It is directed towards providing teachers with the skills to teach and assess for deep understanding and to develop students’ met cognitive skills.