Teachers are very important to society
because they are responsible for educating the next generation
to be thoughtful, active and responsible citizens. Teachers may
work in primary or secondary fields and are responsible for
planning, implementing and reviewing educational programs. A
teacher in secondary school specializes by subject, for example
Mathematics, Science or English. Teachers in the primary
education field may specialize in early childhood education or
middle schooling.
A Typical Working Day
A teacher arrives at school early and plans
and prepares for the school day. Teachers usually plan units of
work that last for 6 to 8 weeks and refine this process on a
daily and weekly basis. Teachers must cater for many different
learning styles and ability levels to ensure that they are
effectively encouraging active learning.
Teachers spend the day talking with
students, lecturing, asking questions and demonstrating ideas
and concepts. Teachers need to be extremely energetic and good
at relating content so that it makes sense to children or
teenagers. Increasingly, teachers must use technology to foster
the learning process and enhance student’s ability to engage
with ideas and information.
Teachers monitor the playground, attend
staff meetings, meet with parents and work collaboratively with
management, guidance officers and other stakeholders in
education.
Teachers organize sporting and cultural
activities and excursions. They assess and evaluate student
work – marking forms a large part of a teacher’s duties.
Teachers have a legal duty of care for the children who they
supervise and must ensure that they approach learning in a
politically correct and unbiased fashion.
Career Outlook
Teachers require a university degree and
secondary teachers need a specialism in the area that they wish
to teach. In the United Kingdom there are many teaching
positions available. Teaching shortages often occur in
particular areas around the country. For this reason, teachers
who are willing to teach in any location and in any school have
excellent job prospects. Many teachers currently working are
expected to reach retirement age over the next 5 years, so it
is expected that there will be many vacancies available in this
time period.
Promotional
Opportunities
Teachers who excel at their jobs are often
offered the opportunity to become Head of Department, Deputy or
Head Teacher. The government sponsors programs to promote
teaching excellence and keep good teachers in the
classroom.
Skills and Abilities
Teachers need to enjoy working with
children. They should be extremely organized and possess very
strong interpersonal skills. Teachers work in a team-based
environment and must be able to work collaboratively. The
educational system is hierarchical in structure and there is a
strong culture of following rules and regulations and
conforming to the expectations of senior management. Teachers
need to have very good communication skills – a sense of humour
is very useful.
Training and Education
Teachers need to have a university degree
majoring in the specialism that they wish to teach and they
also need to undertake a PGCE – Post Graduate Certificate in
Education.
All teachers must pass a probationary year,
where they learn and work under the supervision of a more
experienced teacher. Once teachers pass this period they are
able to gain Qualified Teacher Status.
Teachers must pass very strict police checks
to ensure that they are suitable to work with children.
Teachers must be registered with the General Teacher Council
and maintain professional standards in order to remain
certified.
Is Teaching Right For
Me?
Teaching is a very demanding and rewarding
career. A genuine love of education and an ability to connect
with children are essential.