Teaching still a noble profession
Nov 27, 2005
IF any one cared to find out how many teachers did education by choice, the proportion would probably be extremely low.
IF any one cared to find out how many teachers did education by choice, the proportion would probably be extremely low.
How teachers feel about their job also varies. Speaking at a recent graduation party of her student, one teacher said she was very happy with her profession because she is assured of an audience everyday!
Another teacher, now retired, said she dreaded going to class every period of the day.
Yet another teacher (by profession) shocked the audience by saying he taught for two years before he got a job. Was he not working during those two years?
Indeed teaching has its challenges, but also joys and disappointments. Some of the challenges include:
Dealing with learners of different characters. Some are respectful while others are disrespectful. Some are interested in learning while others are disinterested.
Dealing with students with different exposure. Some may know a lot about something while others know nothing about it at all. Some may know a detail the teacher has never heard about.
Sometimes being hurt by the honesty of a student. A teacher once asked a student why he was not doing the work given and the boy said he was bored! He had given an honest answer, but the teacher was infuriated.
Sometimes the work requires 25 hours a day!
Students sometimes ask their teachers “why don’t you look for another job? You work so hard and you are paid so little.â€
l In some schools, when students pass, they say the students read. When they fail, they say the teachers did not teach.
Despite the above challenges, a teacher derives joy when dealing with friendly and respective children, teaching students who are interested in learning, seeing children improve in academic work, behaviour and co-curricula activities.
Teachers also feel good when turning good results, when they get gratitude from students, parents and governing bodies and when they meet successful individuals later in life at their places of work or social gatherings.
Is teaching, therefore, a noble profession?
I think, teaching is as good as one feels about it. It does not even matter how one got into it.
To those in it, especially those who are just beginning and those aspiring to become teachers, the following can make teaching enjoyable.
Be a life-long learner. This keeps you up-to-date and gives you confidence. The opposite breeds insecurity.
Take all opportunities to get exposure. Comparative education is a good teacher. Try to make lessons more interesting.
Get involved in co-curricula activities with students. This draws you closer to the students and enables you to know them better.
Be a good listener and observe confidentiality. Give corrective punishment, where possible related to the offence.
Punishing should not be done in anger. When the child is made to know that they were wrong, there is no ill-feeling. Respect your students, it does wonders. Respect should be earned, not demanded.
Do not take challenges to be burdens or problems. When the going is not so good, organise do not agonise. Above all, be a good time ‘manager’.
How teachers feel about their job also varies. Speaking at a recent graduation party of her student, one teacher said she was very happy with her profession because she is assured of an audience everyday!
Another teacher, now retired, said she dreaded going to class every period of the day.
Yet another teacher (by profession) shocked the audience by saying he taught for two years before he got a job. Was he not working during those two years?
Indeed teaching has its challenges, but also joys and disappointments. Some of the challenges include:
l In some schools, when students pass, they say the students read. When they fail, they say the teachers did not teach.
Despite the above challenges, a teacher derives joy when dealing with friendly and respective children, teaching students who are interested in learning, seeing children improve in academic work, behaviour and co-curricula activities.
Teachers also feel good when turning good results, when they get gratitude from students, parents and governing bodies and when they meet successful individuals later in life at their places of work or social gatherings.
Is teaching, therefore, a noble profession?
I think, teaching is as good as one feels about it. It does not even matter how one got into it.
To those in it, especially those who are just beginning and those aspiring to become teachers, the following can make teaching enjoyable.
Take all opportunities to get exposure. Comparative education is a good teacher. Try to make lessons more interesting.
Get involved in co-curricula activities with students. This draws you closer to the students and enables you to know them better.
Be a good listener and observe confidentiality. Give corrective punishment, where possible related to the offence.
Punishing should not be done in anger. When the child is made to know that they were wrong, there is no ill-feeling. Respect your students, it does wonders. Respect should be earned, not demanded.