Teaching is a gratifying profession, but it can also be challenging and draining. A teacher must have patience, dedication, passion, and the capability to do more with limited resources.
Teaching profession at a crossroad
At present, the teaching profession is at a crossroads. The regulation of teaching practice deprives teachers of the capability to deliver professional judgments and apply their professional expertise. Teaching a diverse classroom can be challenging, making the work of teachers more complex. Teachers represent the most critical school-oriented influence on a student’s academic excellence. Despite this, at times, they have continued to lose the power to influence.
The social value of teaching
Several instances highlight the stark disconnection between the complexity of teaching and society valuing the work. Educational stakeholders must re-envision the narrative of education as a profession to restore the notion of teaching as intellectual work—the key to accomplishing equitable opportunities for next-generation and critical to the future of society.
Domain expertise
Teachers' domain of expertise consists of classroom instruction and learning. They must have the capability to evaluate the educational requirements of each student and the complete classroom. In the context of professional judgment, teachers must leverage their specialized expertise. Teachers must also identify the type of instruction that is required. There are specialized knowledge and methods of reasoning among teachers that support academic excellence.
Disruptive environment
Students and teachers have a life outside the school. Several situations can serve as a distraction. Within the school, issues like discipline, extracurricular activities, academic goals, etc. can be disruptive.
Expectations are changing
The rules of teaching are always changing. In a continually evolving environment, stability is impacted, which can result in nervousness, uncertainty. Only in a stable environment can teachers be able to maximize effectiveness.
Finding balance
There is a perception in society that teachers work only during school duration; this is the time they spend in the classroom. However, teachers arrive early and stay late. They have to evaluate assignments, coordinate with other teachers, plan for the next classroom session. It isn't easy to find a balance between personal and professional life.
Individuality of students
Each student is unique. They have distinct personalities, capabilities, and requirements. Understanding these differences can be challenging. Teachers must be skillful in using data and observations, identifying the relevant resources.