Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that teachers impart plays a key role in determining the future prospects of their students. Whether in preschools or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults.
Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, or English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential and increasingly are asked to use new assessment methods. For example, teachers may examine a portfolio of a student's artwork or writing in order to judge the student's overall progress. They then can provide additional assistance in areas in which a student needs help. Teachers also grade papers, prepare report cards, and meet with parents and school staff to discuss a student's academic progress or personal problems.
Many teachers use a "hands-on" approach that uses "props" or "manipulatives" to help children understand abstract concepts, solve problems, and develop critical thought processes. For example, they teach the concepts of numbers or of addition and subtraction by playing board games. As the children get older, teachers use more sophisticated materials, such as science apparatus, cameras, or computers. They also encourage collaboration in solving problems by having students work in groups to discuss and solve problems together. To be prepared for success later in life, students must be able to interact with others, adapt to new technology, and think through problems logically.
Preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school teachers play a vital role in the development of children. What children learn and experience during their early years can shape their views of themselves and the world and can affect their later success or failure in school, work, and their personal lives. Preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school teachers introduce children to mathematics, language, science, and social studies. They use games, music, artwork, films, books, computers, and other tools to teach basic skills.
Preschool children learn mainly through play and interactive activities. Preschool teachers capitalize on children's play to further language and vocabulary development (using storytelling, rhyming games, and acting games), improve social skills (having the children work together to build a neighborhood in a sandbox), and introduce scientific and mathematical concepts (showing the children how to balance and count blocks when building a bridge or how to mix colors when painting). Thus, a less structured approach, including small-group lessons, one-on-one instruction, and learning through creative activities such as art, dance, and music, is adopted to teach preschool children. Play and hands-on teaching also are used by kindergarten teachers, but academics begin to take priority in kindergarten classrooms. Letter recognition, phonics, numbers, and awareness of nature and science, introduced at the preschool level, are taught primarily in kindergarten.
Most elementary school teachers instruct one class of children in several subjects. In some schools, two or more teachers work as a team and are jointly responsible for a group of students in at least one subject. In other schools, a teacher may teach one special subject—usually music, art, reading, science, arithmetic, or physical education—to a number of classes. A small but growing number of teachers instruct multilevel classrooms, with students at several different learning levels.
Middle school teachers and secondary school teachers help students delve more deeply into subjects introduced in elementary school and expose them to more information about the world. Middle and secondary school teachers specialize in a specific subject, such as English, Spanish, mathematics, history, or biology. They also may teach subjects that are career oriented. Vocational education teachers, also referred to as career and technical or career-technology teachers, instruct and train students to work in a wide variety of fields, such as healthcare, business, auto repair, communications, and, increasingly, technology. They often teach courses that are in high demand by area employers, who may provide input into the curriculum and offer internships to students. Many vocational teachers play an active role in building and overseeing these partnerships. Additional responsibilities of middle and secondary school teachers may include career guidance and job placement, as well as follow-ups with students after graduation.
In addition to conducting classroom activities, teachers oversee study halls and homerooms, supervise extracurricular activities, and accompany students on field trips. They may identify students with physical or mental problems and refer the students to the proper authorities. Secondary school teachers occasionally assist students in choosing courses, colleges, and careers. Teachers also participate in education conferences and workshops.
Computers play an integral role in the education teachers provide. Resources such as educational software and the Internet expose students to a vast range of experiences and promote interactive learning. Through the Internet, students can communicate with other students anywhere in the world, allowing them to share experiences and differing viewpoints. Students also use the Internet for individual research projects and to gather information. Computers are used in other classroom activities as well, from solving math problems to learning English as a second language. Teachers also may use computers to record grades and perform other administrative and clerical duties. They must continually update their skills so that they can instruct and use the latest technology in the classroom.
Teachers often work with students from varied ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds. With growing minority populations in most parts of the country, it is important for teachers to work effectively with a diverse student population. Accordingly, some schools offer training to help teachers enhance their awareness and understanding of different cultures. Teachers may also include multicultural programming in their lesson plans, to address the needs of all students, regardless of their cultural background.
In recent years, site-based management, which allows teachers and parents to participate actively in management decisions regarding school operations, has gained popularity. In many schools, teachers are increasingly involved in making decisions regarding the budget, personnel, textbooks, curriculum design, and teaching methods.
Work environment. Seeing students develop new skills and gain an appreciation of knowledge and learning can be very rewarding. However, teaching may be frustrating when one is dealing with unmotivated or disrespectful students. Occasionally, teachers must cope with unruly behavior and violence in the schools. Teachers may experience stress in dealing with large classes, heavy workloads, or old schools that are run down and lack many modern amenities. Accountability standards also may increase stress levels, with teachers expected to produce students who are able to exhibit satisfactory performance on standardized tests in core subjects. Many teachers, particularly in public schools, are also frustrated by the lack of control they have over what they are required to teach.
Teachers in private schools generally enjoy smaller class sizes and more control over establishing the curriculum and setting standards for performance and discipline. Their students also tend to be more motivated, since private schools can be selective in their admissions processes.
Teachers are sometimes isolated from their colleagues because they work alone in a classroom of students. However, some schools allow teachers to work in teams and with mentors to enhance their professional development.
Including school duties performed outside the classroom, many teachers work more than 40 hours a week. Part-time schedules are more common among preschool and kindergarten teachers. Although most school districts have gone to all-day kindergartens, some kindergarten teachers still teach two kindergarten classes a day. Most teachers work the traditional 10-month school year with a 2-month vacation during the summer. During the vacation break, those on the 10-month schedule may teach in summer sessions, take other jobs, travel, or pursue personal interests. Many enroll in college courses or workshops to continue their education. Teachers in districts with a year-round schedule typically work 8 weeks, are on vacation for 1 week, and have a 5-week midwinter break. Preschool teachers working in day care settings often work year round.
Most States have tenure laws that prevent public school teachers from being fired without just cause and due process. Teachers may obtain tenure after they have satisfactorily completed a probationary period of teaching, normally 3 years. Tenure does not absolutely guarantee a job, but it does provide some security.
| 1. | Teach basic skills such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills. |
| 2. | Establish and enforce rules for behavior, and policies and procedures to maintain order among students. |
| 3. | Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health. |
| 4. | Instruct students individually and in groups, adapting teaching methods to meet students' varying needs and interests. |
| 5. | Read books to entire classes or to small groups. |
| 6. | Demonstrate activities to children. |
| 7. | Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play. |
| 8. | Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate. |
| 9. | Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems. |
| 10. | Prepare children for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks. |
| 11. | Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to children. |
| 12. | Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help. |
| 13. | Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress, and to determine their priorities for their children and their resource needs. |
| 14. | Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development such as games, arts and crafts, music, and storytelling. |
| 15. | Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools. |
| 16. | Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems, or special academic interests. |
| 17. | Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials, to prevent injuries and damage. |
| 18. | Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems, and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists. |
| 19. | Assimilate arriving children to the school environment by greeting them, helping them remove outerwear, and selecting activities of interest to them. |
| 20. | Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations. |
| 21. | Prepare materials, classrooms, and other indoor and outdoor spaces to facilitate creative play, learning and motor-skill activities, and safety. |
| 22. | Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of kindergarten programs. |
| 23. | Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate children's progress. |
| 24. | Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress. |
| 25. | Organize and label materials and display children's work in a manner appropriate for their sizes and perceptual skills. |
| 26. | Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula. |
| 27. | Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers. |
| 28. | Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine children's developmental levels and needs. |
| 29. | Prepare for assigned classes, and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors. |
| 30. | Use computers, audiovisual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations. |
| 31. | Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guests, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities. |
| 32. | Involve parent volunteers and older students in children's activities, to facilitate involvement in focused, complex play. |
| 33. | Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence. |
| 34. | Perform administrative duties such as assisting in school libraries, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading. |
| 35. | Attend staff meetings, and serve on committees as required. |
| 36. | Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies. |
| 37. | Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms. |
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