Teaching: A Profession That Ignite Minds
Teaching is the fine art of shaping young minds and honing skills and 
is not to be confused with training. Teaching involves a much greater level of involvement and interaction. Teaching is no longer restricted to the classrooms. Getting through the syllabus is only one part of a teacher's job. S/he is expected to equip students with the power of making independent decisions and to instill in them certain virtues. The new-age teacher does not impose rigid rules on students; rather, s/he facilitates the process of learning, and through it, the process of living.
ClockWork
- 8am: Check attendance and proceed to the field for morning prayers with the students
- 8.30am: Check homework and start revising the lectures of the previous day
- 9.15am: Pick a light topic and explain elementary details
- 10am: Move gradually onto a tougher topic, make it interactive and try out new approaches
- 10.45am: Time for the sports break to enable students to get some exercise
- 11.30pm: Lunch
- 12pm: Start craft and other creative activities
- 12.45pm: Assess the students' work and give them feedback on their work
- 1.30pm: Set down home work
- 2pm: See off students in their private vehicles/school buses and end the day
The Payoff
- After the sixth pay commission a teacher at the entry level earns from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 per month.
- With experience, one can expect to earn above Rs 20,000 per month
- The salary may vary according to grade and school
Skills
- A high level of patience and perseverance
- Ability to provide a comfortable environment
- Eagerness to keep learning
- Clear thought process and communication skills
- Innovative thinking to help children learn concepts in a different way
- This profession demands sincerety and dignity
Getting There
Someone with a bachelor's degree in education (BEd) can start as a primary school teacher. A degree in home science also makes you eligible. A graduation score of 55 per cent is a prerequisite. A BEd may be followed up with an MEd. A Basic Training Certificate (BTC), Diploma in Education (DEd) and Teacher Training Certificate (TTC) are courses that can help you land a teaching job as well
Institutes
- IGNOU, www.ignou.ac.in
- Delhi University, www.du.ac.in
- Jamia Millia Islamia, www.jmi.nic.in
Pros and Cons
- A Secure work environment
- Comparative lack of workplace politics
- Chances of career stagnation
- Learning by rote can affect creativity
- Relatively low pay and few incentives
- It is a noble profession and keeps you young at heart
- It keeps you well informed with latest happenings and evokes in you a curiosity to know more and more of your subject matter so that you are never at a loss while answering queries of studnets
- It helps you grow both in modesty and intellect
- It helps you understand your own children better. You are never astonished by their actions and temper tantrums
- Gets you lot of respect from your studenst and their parents
- This profession gives you great satisfaction. You feel extremely happy when you see your students growing up into smart well-adjusted and and learned young men and women
- You have to be a responsible adult as you are accountable for your student's academic future
- Good work life balance can be acheived in this profession
Source: HT Horizons
Date: 19th May 2011
