Information about Teaching

In education, teachers facilitate student learning, often in a school or academy. The objective is typically a course of study, lesson plan, or a practical skill, including learning and thinking skills. The different ways to teach are often referred to as the teacher's pedagogy. When deciding what teaching method to use, a teacher will need to consider students' background knowledge, environment, and their learning goals as well as standardized curricula as determined by the relevant authority. The teacher should also be able to deal with students with different abilities and should also be able to deal with learning disabilities. Many times, teachers will have to do their job outside of the classroom by accompanying students on field trips. They also supervise study halls, help with the organization of school functions, and serve as supervisors for extracurricular activities. Although many people see teaching as a 9 to 3 job most teachers work well outside the school day including weekends. A fifty or sixty hour week is not uncommon with no additional financial compensation. In addition, many teachers purchase items for their students and classroom out of their own wages and (in Canada) receive no tax deduction for these purchases. |

Teaching as a profession

Further information: College of Education

Further information: Certified teacher

Teachers are professionals on par with physicians, lawyers, engineers, and CPA's because they are often required to obtain specialized education and professional licensure.

In most cultures, teaching is referred to as a profession. Arguments for this include the respect that is felt for teachers in some cultures, the existence of a body of specialised professional knowledge, and codes of ethics. In Canada some provinces such as Ontario and British Columbia operate a 'College of Teachers' established by legislation to serve and protect the public interest through certifying, governing and enforcing the standards of practice for the teaching profession.

The College's functions include setting out clear standards of practice, providing for the ongoing education of teachers, investigating complaints involving members, conducting hearings into allegations of professional misconduct and taking appropriate disciplinary action and accrediting teacher education programs.

Teachers in publicly funded schools in these provinces must be members in good standing with the College. Many private schools also require their teachers to be College members.

Some teachers are paraprofessional teachers. They assist teachers in the classroom including in Special Education. The requirement is normally a high school diploma, G.E.D., two years of college education, or an associate degree. Some of the parapro positions require experience, especially in Special Ed. They have to be certified by the state in which they plan to work just like other teachers. Most Parapro-educators go back to school for a Bachelor degree and full teacher certification. They pay is very rewarding and competitive for those that have a college degree. With this teaching position if you do not have a degree the pay isn't so rewarding. The job will include benefits, just like other teachers. The job description is about the same. Some parapro-teachers can fill positions as supply teachers. Supply teachers are teachers that fill in for normal teachers. For example, if a female teacher becomes pregnant and needs to become home bound. A supply teacher (paraeducator) can fill in for the rest of the year or as long as the school district needs them to. There are other various positions like Librarian and Guidance Counselor Parapro Education positions available as well. In Parapro Education there is a lot of available positions.

Teaching around the world

There are many similarities and difference among teachers around the world. In almost all countries teachers are educated in a university or college. Generally they must be certified by a government body before they can teach in a school.

The process for becoming a teacher in Canada is somewhat intricate in all provinces. In France the teachers (professeurs) are mainly civil servants, recruited by competitive examination. Currently there are moves on both sides of politics in Australia towards a National Curriculum. India celebrates Teachers day on 5 September, in honour of a thinker and President Dr. Radhakrishnan.

In the United States, each state determines the requirements for getting a license to teach. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are 1.4 million elementary school teachers^[1], 600,000 middle school teachers^[2], and 1 million secondary school teachers employed in the U.S.^[3]

Salaries vary greatly depending on state and grade taught. For high school teachers median salaries in 2007 ranged from $35,000 in South Dakota to $71,000 in New York, with a national median of $52,000.^[4] The median salary for all primary and secondary teachers was $46,000 in 2004, with the average entry salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree being an estimated $32,000. Median salaries for preschool teachers, however, were less than half the national median for secondary teachers, clock in at an estimated $21,000 in 2004.^[5]

World Teachers’ Day

UNESCO inaugurated World Teachers’ Day on 5 October 1994 to celebrate and commemorate the signing of the Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers on 5 October 1966. World Teachers’ Day also highlighted the Recommendation Concerning the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel adopted in 1997. Some countries or regions such as Taiwan also celebrate Teacher's Day as a national holiday. In Brazil and Chile, it is celebrated on October 15, while in India it is celebrated on the 5th of September. In Brunei, it is celebrated on September 23. In Turkey it has been celebrated on 24th November since 1928. Northern Cyprus also celebrates this day. In Malaysia and in Colombia, it is celebrated on 16 May. Teachers' Day is a school holiday for students in primary and secondary schools and junior colleges/centralised institutes in Singapore celebrated on 1 September. Malaysia celebrates Teachers' Day on the 16th of May every year. This celebration is celebrated with joy and passion.

Salaries

Teachers' salaries vary from country to country: US teachers are paid on a graduated scale, starting at the low end and moving up on the pay scale with experience. The national average teacher’s salary for 2000-2001 was $43,335, according to the National Education Association. The lowest average salary was in South Dakota at $30,265 and the highest average salary was in New Jersey at $53,281. Teacher benefits vary by contract but most include the following: health insurance, sick leave and dental coverage. Some contracts may include long-term disability insurance, life insurance, emergency/personal leave and investment options.^[6] The American Federation of Teachers' teacher salary survey for the 2004-05 school year found that the average teacher salary was $47,602.^[7]

Salaries in England and Wales are largely dependent upon time in post (seniority) and any management responsibilities. From 2007, teachers outside the London area (which are paid higher due to higher living costs) can expect to start on around £21,000 GBP (approx. $41,500 USD/€31,000 EUR) and rising by around £1,100 GBP (approx. $2,150 USD/€1,600 EUR) per year.^[8] Teachers of 'shortage' subjects, such as math and physics, can expect a 'golden hello' taking them to around £26,000 GBP (approx. $51,200 USD/€38,300 EUR) starting salary.^[9]

Unpromoted posts in Scotland attract a salary paid on an annually incremented scale which rises over 6 points from £19,878 GBP (approx. $39,000 USD/€29,300 EUR) to £31,707 GBP (approx. $62,200 USD/€46,707 EUR) [1].

The median Paraprofessional Teacher Salary is around $20,000.00 USD Yearly. The salary can be even smaller if you do not have a degree. If you do have a degree your salary is more then likely going to be more than this a year. Every year you automatically get a increase. Every 5 years you get a Salary increase after you renew your Parapro-Certification.

Religious Teacher

In Hinduism, a spiritual teacher is known as a guru. Traditionally, a spiritual seeker would revere his or her guru highly, and demonstrate utmost submission and humility through menial service in order to prove worthy to be a recipient of esoteric knowledge from the guru.There are many sayings on the teacher like "Guru devo bhava"

In the Latter Day Saint movement, teacher is an office in the Aaronic priesthood.

See also

• College of Education
• Teacher candidate
• Student teacher
• Teacher's union
• Substitute teacher

References