Teacher
What is a teacher?
A teacher is someone who helps students learn and develop their skills and knowledge in different subjects.
What does a teacher do?
Usually, a teacher does the following:
- Plans and delivers lessons to students
- Creates a positive and engaging learning environment
- Assesses and evaluates students' progress and provides feedback
- Prepares and marks assignments and tests
- Collaborates with other teachers and staff members
- Communicates with parents or guardians about students' progress and behavior
What does the day-to-day life of a teacher look like?
A teacher typically works during school hours, which are usually from 8am to 3pm. However, they may also have extra responsibilities such as preparing lessons and marking assignments outside of these hours.
On a typical day, a teacher may:
- Teach different subjects to different classes
- Plan and prepare lessons
- Deliver lessons using various teaching methods
- Interact with students and answer their questions
- Assess students' understanding through quizzes or class discussions
- Meet with colleagues to discuss student progress or upcoming events
Where does a teacher work?
Teachers can work in different types of schools, including:
- Primary schools: Teaching students aged 4-11
- Secondary schools: Teaching students aged 11-18
- Further education colleges: Teaching students aged 16 and above
- Special educational needs (SEN) schools: Teaching students with special needs
- Private or independent schools: Providing education outside of the public school system
What tools/software/hardware does a teacher use?
A teacher uses various tools and resources, including:
- Whiteboards, projectors, or smartboards for presenting lessons
- Computers or tablets for creating teaching materials and accessing educational resources
- Software programs or online platforms for managing student records and delivering online lessons
- Teaching aids such as textbooks, workbooks, and educational games
What do I need to become a teacher?
There are a number of ways you can become a teacher, including:
- Bachelor's degree in Education: You can study a specific subject (e.g., English, Mathematics) and then study a postgraduate teacher training program.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE): If you have a bachelor's degree in a subject other than education, you can study a PGCE program to become a qualified teacher.
- School Direct program: This program allows you to train as a teacher in a school while working alongside experienced teachers.
- Alternative certification programs: Some organizations offer alternative routes into teaching, allowing you to gain qualified teacher status (QTS) through on-the-job training.
What career paths are available?
There are various career paths available to you as a teacher, including:
- Headteacher or Principal: This is a senior leadership role in a school, where you would be responsible for managing the entire school.
- Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo): This role involves supporting students with special educational needs and coordinating special education programs.
- Education Consultant: You can work as a consultant, providing advice and support to schools and educators on curriculum development, teaching strategies, and educational policies.
You can start on these career paths by gaining experience as a teacher, demonstrating leadership skills, and continuously developing your expertise in education.
What jobs are similar to a teacher?
- Tutor: Providing one-on-one instruction to students in a specific subject.
- Education Administrator: Managing administrative tasks and policies in educational institutions.
- Educational Content Developer: Creating educational materials and resources for schools and online platforms.
What made you want to become a teacher?
How did you get your first teaching job?
What was the one thing that surprised you the most about being a teacher?
Are you a teacher? We want you to share your experiences with those looking to start or change their careers to teaching. If you're interested, contact us at mail@calumchilds.com.