Principles of Education and Training Chapter 1: Teaching as a Profession.

Principles of Education and

TrainingChapter 1: Teaching

as a Profession

Teaching as a Profession

· Give examples of how the qualities of effective teachers apply in actual classroom situations

· Analyze challenges related to teaching and how teachers meet them

· Identify the educational requirements for teachers at various levels

Objectives:

· Summarize career opportunities for teachers outside schools· Describe employment opportunities and trends in teaching· Identify the factors that impact school employment opportunities· Analyze teacher salary and benefits


· Effective teachers come in many forms (outgoing and dramatic, demanding and firm, soft-spoken and reflective, or introverted and quiet)

· However, all effective teachers are able to:· Motivate, inspire, and influence their students· Communicate well with students and adults· Convey their enthusiasm for learning· Be well organized

What Are the Qualities of an Effective Teacher?


· Effective teachers share these personal qualities:· Caring· Committed· Courteous· Honest· Respectful· High expectations

What Are the Qualities of an Effective Teacher?

· Kind· Patient· Responsible· Tolerant· Love learning· Adaptable

Can you think of other qualities to add to the list?


· Most of the day is spent designing and presenting classroom learning experiences· Creativity and knowledge of students’ learning styles and

abilities is necessary· If classes are small or time permits—they may work

with students individually· Assess students learning

· Grade assignments and evaluate student participation in class activities

What Happens in a Teacher’s Typical Day?

· Coordinate with other specialists· EX: counselors, reading specialists, speech

therapists· May supervise extracurricular activities


Teachers don’t just teach whatever they want!They must follow the curriculum—courses taught, what is taught

in each course, and the course sequence.

Influences on curriculum include:· National Curriculum Standards

· Use of these is voluntary, but have significant influence· State Curriculum Standards

· Makes sure students are ready to advance to the next level of courses, even if they move to another school

Determining What to Teach

· School-based Curriculum· Alternative where teachers are involved in

choosing what is taught based on their students needs


Teaching is inspiring, challenging, and as unique as each student

Teaching makes a difference in the world!

Teachers see their students change—grow physically, emotionally, and socially.

They see their students learn day by day.

They see students develop new knowledge, skills, and confidence and this can be the most rewarding part

of teaching.

The Rewards of Teaching

They play a significant role in their students learning and growth.


Teachers work hard! • They spend long hours outside of school preparing lessons

and grading student work.

They are often spend vacations thinking ahead and planning.

• This can also include: attending conferences or workshops and taking classes toward an advanced degree.

Conditions aren’t always ideal• Classes can be large• Old school buildings

The Challenges of Teaching

• Heavy workloads• May not have up-to-date textbooks,

educational technology, and other learning aids


Schools reflect the problems of society • Poverty, alcohol and other drug abuse, etc. affect students and

can thus make teaching emotionally draining• Teachers may face disrespect, unruly behavior, and even

violence in schools

Effective teachers must find strategies to help them deal with problems they encounter.

The Challenges of Teaching—Continued


You may be surprised to know it’s not just schools!However, most teachers do teach in schools.

Where Do Teachers Work?

Teaching in SchoolsSchools vary:• Preschools to colleges and universities• Size: small to very large• Location: rural, suburbs, or major urban areas• Public vs. Private

• Public schools are funded by tax dollars while private schools are not

• Some private schools are sponsored by religious organizations (Ex: private Catholic schools) while others are nonsectarian

The purpose of all schools is to promote learning


However, variations are fairly common.Common School Designations

Level Grades Typical Student Age

Preschool 2-4

Prekindergarten 4-5

Elementary Kindergarten-grades 4, 5, or 6

5-11

Middle school Grades 5 or 6-8 10-13

Junior high Grades 7-8 or 9 12-14

High school Grades 9 or 10-12 14-18

Teaching as a ProfessionPreschool and Prekindergarten

Programs• On the rise

• Stronger education focus than child care programs which focus primarily on providing a safe, caring environment

• Play is the main occupation of young children and it is how they learn

• They also listen and tell stories, pretend (to be shoppers, pilots, and even dogs), build (sandcastles, block towers, etc), and express themselves in paintings and songs

So how should we teach Preschool and Pre-K students?

Teaching as a ProfessionPreschool and Prekindergarten

ProgramsTeachers should plan activities that build on children’s curiosity and interest in play

They need to have knowledge and understanding of child development and experience with children

Children should also spend time in unstructured play where they choose their own play activities

Requirements for teaching Preschool and Pre-K vary• Many require at least an A.S. in Early Childhood

Development and Education (2 yrs of study)• Some, especially those linked to elementary

schools, require a B.S. degree (4 yrs of study)• Some states require certification (such as CDA)• Paraprofessional positions are usually also available

Teaching as a ProfessionElementary Schools

For students it is a time of great exploration, language development, social development, and the introduction of

scientific and mathematical concepts.

Small children grow into pre-teens.

Students:• Learn to read, compute, and tackle more complex information• Make friends and figure out how to handle disagreements• Deal with feelings • Develop a sense of who they are

The classroom experiences they have during these early years impact success or failure in school,

work, and even their personal lives.

Teaching as a ProfessionElementary Schools

Most elementary school teachers teach in self-contained classrooms.

• Classrooms are typically active and visually stimulating• Teachers use a variety of teaching methods• Lessons may incorporate: games, music, art activities,

computer programs, visuals, textbooks, and teacher presentations

What is a self-contained classroom?

When the same teacher and group of students remain in one classroom for most of the day, with one teacher teaching most or all of the subjects.

Elementary teachers are usually hired to teach one grade level. However, at some schools they instruct across several grades.

Brain development at this stage encourages thinking at a higher level.

Students:• Think faster and more creatively• Can identify multiple solutions to problems• Think abstractly

• Abstract thinking is about ideas and concepts, such as justice or love, rather than only what is actually experienced—the concrete thinking of younger students.

• Abstract thinkers are interested in why things are the way they are

• They also connect how they feel to what they’re thinking

Teaching as a ProfessionMiddle Schools and Junior Highs

Teachers usually specialize in one or two areas (ex: science or math) since the students study the topics more in depth at this age level.

Students:• Have multiple teachers—moving them toward the system

they’ll experience in high school• Learning is less structured (more projects and activities)• Can be lively and creative• Often participate in collaborative learning because learning

social skills is so important in this stage of life

• Are expected to become more responsible for their own learning and conduct

Teaching as a ProfessionMiddle Schools and Junior Highs

What is collaborative learning?

Learning that takes place when students work in groups to discuss and solve problems together.

• Are encouraged to structure their time and make plans then organize and carry out these plans.

Teachers need to help them build these and other skills and habits to prepare them for high school.

Students are studying subjects even more in depth, have new subject areas, and 5-7 different classes and teachers.

Students:• Are expected to take primary responsibility for their learning• Are expected to ask for help if they don’t understand• Usually have a lot of homework and long-term projects• Routinely practice solving problems by gathering and

evaluating information

Assignments require complex thinking skills

Teaching as a ProfessionHigh Schools

Teachers:• Typically specialize in one subject or a group of related

subjects• Need more content depth• Must have at least a bachelor’s degree from a 4-year college

or university• Must be certified to teach in their state• Additional responsibilities (study hall monitor, school

organization advisor, tutor, coach, chaperone at events, etc.)• Some are part of their regular duty others are additional

with extra pay• Have some flexibility in what and how they teach

Teaching as a ProfessionHigh Schools

• They determine how much to emphasize various topics and how best to present them (teacher presentation, group discussion, lab, or combination of these and other techniques)

Include:• Elementary—music or physical education• Middle school—foreign languages (ex: Spanish and Chinese)• Reading specialists• Special education teachers

• Work with students with special learning needs• Use various techniques to help students learn• Work with a team of specialists (often a therapist and

psychologist) and the child’s parents or guardians to develop a plan of action

• Some work with students with specific impairments in speech, hearing, sight, or language

Teaching as a ProfessionTeaching Specialists

• Work with regular education teachers to help them adapt their teaching for these students

• Others help with children with emotional problems that impact their learning

Special education teachers—Continued• Some work with students with more severe developmental or

learning disabilities• Work with these students on: basic literacy skills and life

skills (social skills, self-care skills, and job-related skills)

Career and technical education teachers (CTE)• Instruct and train students to work in a variety of careers• Assist students in exploring these careers and connecting

classroom learning with the real worldInclude: trade and industrial fields (ex: automotive), family and

consumer sciences (ex: food production), health occupations field, public safety and security, and other technical areas.

Teaching as a ProfessionTeaching Specialists

CTE teachers teach in middle schools, high schools, and two-year colleges.

What is postsecondary education?

Technical Schools• Designed to teach specific skills needed to work in a trade• Also called: trade schools, vocational colleges, business

schools, technical institutes, or fashion institutes• Courses of study are focused and generally shorter than

college programsTeaching at Technical Schools• College degrees are preferred but having related skills and

experience is most important

Teaching as a ProfessionPostsecondary Education Programs

Education that takes place after high school.

Ex: to teach Culinary Arts at a technical school, a teacher might have experience as a head chef.

Community Colleges• Focus on meeting the educational and training needs of the

communities they serve• Most offer two-year associate’s degrees• May offer programs that lead to certifications (ex: respiratory

therapy, welding)• Some students attend for two years then transfer to a four-year

degree program• This requires close coordination between the two schools

to make sure the classes will transfer• Students usually save on educational costs by doing this

• Entrance generally open to anyone with a high school diploma


• Diverse types of students• Over 1000 community colleges in the US and serve

almost half of high school graduates each year

Teaching at Community Colleges• Many positions exist• Most require a minimum of a master’s degree (a two-year

degree beyond the traditional four-year college degree)• Must be prepared for working with students at various skill

levels because of the diversity of types of students • Full and part time students• Recent high school graduates• Adults• High school students taking classes for college credit• Adults trying to complete a degree they started but didn’t

finish


• Employees trying to improve current job skills or studying for a new occupation

Four-year colleges and universities

• Traditional places for higher education• Colleges vs. Universities

• While the two are often used interchangeably they are different—universities offer graduate degree programs

• Colleges often offer degrees in one area, while universities offer degrees in a variety of areas because they’re actually composed of a collection of colleges

• Students complete general education classes (sometimes called core courses) plus classes specific to their area of specialization


Teaching at Colleges & Universities

• Specialize in one particular area and teach a limited number of different courses

• Most require a doctorate degree (usually called a PhD or EdD)• However, most schools also have professors with master’s

degrees• Professors are often expected to conduct research in their field

and do scholarly writing in addition to their teaching duties


Business and Industry

• Corporate trainers—provide education to a businesses employees• Full-time, part-time, or self-employed• Types of Education depend on company’s needs

• Technical work skills• Motivation• Effective Communication• Leadership• Team building• Foreign language

Teaching as a ProfessionTeaching in Other Settings

• Other Examples: history of destination (travel agency), classes or one-on-one instruction for children undergoing long-term treatment in hospitals

Teachers must adapt their basic skills to fit the situation.

Adult Education

• Literacy programs—improving reading skills or learning English

• General Equivalency Diploma (GED) programs• General or specific job skills• Technical skills (ex: computer skills)• Personal enrichment• Continuing education (some professional degrees require this

to maintain or renew licenses)


Adult Education

• Ongoing need• Often government funded but can be supported through private

funds or by for-profit companies• Can be offered at community colleges and universities (but the

classes do not normally lead to a degree)• Also offered at job training centers• Teachers perform the same roles as they would in schools but

their audience is different• Career opportunities range from teaching one course to a full-

time position


Teachers perform the same roles as they would in schools, but their audience is different.

Career opportunities range from teaching one course to a full-time position.

Cooperative Extension Service

• Cooperative Extension educators, or agents, are community leaders

• Teach individuals and communities• Provide technical assistance to agricultural producers and

small business owners• Often coordinate with 4-H (youth leadership)• Professional employees of state universities and are supported

by the federal government• Job duties vary (formal to informal educational outreach)


In TX, it’s known as Texas AgriLife Extension Service and is associated with Texas A & M.

http://texasextension.tamu.edu/



Sports and Fitness Programs• Coaches, athletic trainers, athletic directors, aerobics

instructors, camp directors, and recreation specialists• Knowledge and experience needed but a degree isn’t always

required• Need to be able to motivate others to learn and accomplish

their goals• Could be hired by private gyms or be self-employed

Clubs, Community Organizations, and Religious Groups

• Boys and Girls Clubs of America, summer camps, or park districts


• Organizations and communities sponsor educational opportunities such as gardening, cooking, defensive driving, and religious studies

• Music teachers might be hired to provide music and lead choirs for religious groups

• There will always be a need for teachers!• Education is the key to a successful society• Over the next ten years, it is predicted there will be need for

over two million new teachers in schools alone!Why such a big need?

• Teachers retiring• Educational reform• Population growth

• Math and science teachers are in greater demand• Bilingual teachers is growing in demand in certain parts of the

country• Special education teachers also in demand

Teaching as a ProfessionEmployment Opportunities and Trends

• Teachers willing to relocate are at an advantage • Teachers are always in demand!

• They vary considerably depending upon:• Location • Amount of Education

• Additional pay for coaching and advising clubs/organizations• Public schools usually pay more than private schools• Some teachers take on part-time jobs during their summer

break to boost income• Pay increase with more education (ex: earning a master’s)• Benefits vary by district but most include:

• Health insurance• Retirement Savings Plan

Teaching as a ProfessionTeacher Salaries and Benefits

• Some districts offer signing bonuses in an effort to gain top teaching candidates

• A few districts offer home loan assistance or tax breaks for living within the district

• Experience • Additional responsibilities

• Leave of absence (paid or unpaid)• Various other benefits (travel

expenses or education repayment)

End of Chapter One

Review Date: _____________TEST Date: ______________

Principles of Education and Training Chapter 1: Teaching as a Profession.

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