It is usually said, ‘teaching is one profession that makes all other professions’. Being a teacher, therefore, is not that easy as it seems.
Having taught in a secondary school, I gained a deep perspective about this profession. During my B.ed days, I thought teaching is all about imparting knowledge, making students learn and creating an understanding of concepts in a simple yet interesting way. However, a practical experience of addressing a class full of bright minds, made me realize that teaching is all this and much more.
As a teacher, I have a huge responsibility on my shoulders. I just don’t have to teach a few young souls so that they pass from one grade to another but also train them to understand what they are and want to be; introduce them with their own abilities; enable them to deal with certain shortcomings and prepare them to face life with all its challenges.
So when I used to enter my class, I not only needed a lesson plan in my hand that would tell me how to engage my listeners for the next forty minutes, but also some clarity in my mind of how to enhance the young and dynamic personalities that I got a chance to deal with and groom them into wonderful human beings.
Being a teacher, therefore, required me to first be a good learner. Having mastery over my subject wasn’t enough. I had to constantly learn and upgrade my knowledge. I had to learn how to enable learning in a classroom of 40 students. I had to be creative enough to create their interest in a subject that they may like or dislike. Thus, each day I had to acquire a new art and practice a new skill.
Teaching a curriculum is exacting, and teaching the same curriculum over the years to a different group of students is testing. Hence, comes the challenge of giving a new twist to an old tale. Being a teacher, required me to discover various ways through which I could break monotony and practice ingenuity. This was possible only when I ardently loved my profession and put my heart and soul into whatever I did as an educator.
In the course of my career, I also realized that as a teacher I may err to be an influencer. To teach implies enabling students to think and helping them develop their own point of view. It’s easy for kids to be influenced by the thinking of the teacher which has a risk of damaging their creativity. Hence I always felt the danger of imposing my own beliefs and values on them. Maintaining a thin line difference between the two and helping kids grow as independent thinkers is the toughest part of this profession. While speaking to my students, I always had to be cautious. If a parent used to come up with a remark that ‘my child is really influenced by you’ or ‘my child loves to copy your style of writing or speaking’, I never took it as a compliment. Rather, I used to get perturbed and reflect on changes I needed to bring in my own teaching methodologies.
There is a lot of hard work, knowledge, passion and compassion that goes into the making of a teacher. It sinks my heart to see how this profession, in spite of its noble stature, is yet to receive it’s due. It’s still the most underrated and underpaid profession(especially, in the private sector). The teachers, at times, are subject to exploitation by all- the employers, the parents and, to an extent, even the students. The common perception still holds- ‘if you can’t be in any other profession, you can at least be a teacher’. However no one admits, that had there not been a teacher, no other profession would have been possible.
Do you want to read more teachers views on this. Check out this interesting post by Vidhi Duggal : Parent-teacher Relationship: Don’t Criticize Let’s Coordinate
Also read this thoughtful poetic piece that I wrote when I observed so many changes in my life after taking the job of a teacher – The Change.
Glad to hear similar thoughts. I was a teacher too. It is indeed a huge responsibility . A teacher has to perform many roles in the classroom for her students. And yes, teachers are very often exploited and under paid.
Thank you ☺️
My mom is a teacher and I can see how much she works to give the best to her students. I agree teachers are exploited these days.
Sad but true.
I am also a teacher by qualification and used to teach in higher secondary classes. I so miss classroom teaching. It’s like ages now since I entered a class room. Miss my students. It definitely is a huge responsibility. However now when I see my students well placed in their career I feel so proud. Thanks for sharing this article.
Indeed. It’s a proud feeling.
Teachers are like Gods. Only blessing us with knowledge. such a well thought through article
Thank you. ?
Oh Wow common grounds. This post needs to be shared far and wide.
Thank you ☺️
I feel sad that a teacher who puts in so much effort in exploited, underpaid and all. But I love the fact that even under the circumstances you are dedicated ❤
True. Thank you.
Teacher gives her best for a child and I truly respect the profession. But because these days as education has become more and more business driven system. Teachers not getting paid on time and not even the amount they deserve.
Yup true. The entire system has changed drastically.
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I agree..as teachers could be influencers too. And many other things. We have a big responsibility towards kids. Lovely post
Thank you.
Teachers are the first one to keep our knowledge foundation in school and it is indeed one of the most important profession to create a responsible citizens for tomorrow…..Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you.
If only teachers were given their due importance in our country. the pay is pathetic and sometimes the quality of teachers is at that level. Teachers are shaping future minds, it is of utmost importance to take care of the lot of teachers.
Wow girl this was such a beautiful read..It’s good to know how the teachers feel…They are doing wonders for our children and we should reciprocate the love to them..
Thanks ☺
i always wanted to try for teaching, but somehow never got a hang of it. Reading your post makes it easier to understand what techers must go through, and that its not 2 month paid holiday alone.
Well said. Thank you ?
Yes I am proud of being a small part of this profession, which is yet to receive its due….great read!!
Proud us! Thank you.
I am pretty sure that teaching is not at all an easy job. I get shattered with my 2 kids when it comes to discipline and studies. But a teacher is capable of training 40-45 students in one go.
Yup its a very demanding profession.
Tobteach is to learn twice. I can well relate with your views since I was a professor for 16 years. I would always love to proclaim that I’m proud teacher. Teaching is my passion. Last few lines nailed it to the core. It’s the profession which keeps you young always as you are meeting fresh young minds everyday.
Well said! Totally agree with you.
What a mindful post it is! I totally agree up on all the points you have mentioned above. True teachers have to maintain the difference of being teachers and influencers for students.
Thank you
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Well said Charu. My mum is also a teacher and I completely agree with everything you wrote in this post. Once upon a time, teaching was considered a noble profession. But alas, teachers are not given that respect anymore.