|
Careers in
Teaching
Teaching is a
specialised job. It involves being with children and young
adults and helping them through courses and solving their
problems. Many people have an inborn desire to do just that
and for them a career in teaching is highly recommended. This
feature describes the opportunities available in teaching and
how to go about becoming one. Contrary to popular belief, it
is not a fall-back profession if you fail in other careers,
but a highly responsible one, in which you can shape the
minds of tomorrow.
The teaching profession has many myths about it. It is
commonly believed that anyone can teach, provided he has some
knowledge for the subject. Nothing could be farther from the
truth. Knowledge is just one thing that a teacher should have
among other qualities required are the ability to communicate
well, to hold the attention of young minds, even in the most
boring subjects, to inspire confidence and finally, the
ability to set an example by word and deed. Above all, a
person must have great amounts of patience. Not everyone has
all these qualities. People who have PhD degrees and great
amounts of knowledge often make bad teachers.
The rewards of being in teaching are also great. Financially,
school teachers may not be at the top of the rung, but in
colleges and universities the UGC scales apply and the total
earning is a tidy sum. The best regards, however, come from
the students in terms of respect. Society still revers its
teachers and though one may not hold a very important post as
far as hierarchy of jobs go, the satisfaction on seeing a
pupil do well is immeasurable. In rural areas, parents of
children often express their gratitude in remarkable ways.
That is satisfaction in itself, even if avenues of promotions
are limited in this field.
There are ample opportunities in teaching. With a number of
schools opening up, the opportunities have multiplied. The
latest trend is that corporate houses are entering the field
of education, which augurs well for salaries and benefits.
Apart from salaries, one can look forward to accommodation
and even subsidised food, if the school has a hostel as well.
Though most people get into teaching by accident, if one
really wants to be a teacher, one should plan one's career.
There are three levels in which you can enter: school,
college or university. Each level calls for a different
experitse. If you love to be with children, school-teaching
would be a good option but if you want to be with young
adults, it is better to look at the college or university.
Teaching is ideal for ladies because of their in-born
qualities. Since working hours are not stiff, it enables them
to raise their families too. Much of the work, such as
correcting papers, can be done at home.
To enter schools, you should have a B.Ed degree. Colleges
across the country offer these degrees. Some universities
offer B.Ed courses by correspondence too. One can do the
M.Ed
later, to add to qualifications.
College and university teaching requires a different
approach. After finishing M.A. in a subject, one can become a
specilist by doing M.Phil. or Ph.D. To become a college
lecturer, you will have to clear the NET exam conducted by
the University Grants Commission (UGC). One can then apply to
colleges for a job.
The skills that a school teacher must have are:
Tremendous
patience and the ability to get into the mind of a child. If
the classes are too crowded, there may not be an opportunity
to relate to the students individually but good schools limit
the size of their classes. Often, one may be caught in the
race to complete the syllabus and the child may then be
neglected. But a teacher must always remember apart from
teaching, a child's character also be shaped.
College teaching is different but the challenges are equally
great. For one, the students are older. They are in the age group
of late-teens, an age associated with rebellion. A
teacher has to be really good to earn respect. The age is
also a delicate one, as a number of negative influences exist
which work on young minds. The teacher has the responsibility
not only of imparting knowledge but to prevent negative
influences invading the young mind. In many cases, a teacher
has to be a friend, philosopher and guide to his wards. A
great deal of sensitivity is needed and a teacher often makes
a difference in the life of a youngster.
Likewise, university teaching is also challenging, though
university teachers often do not see challenge in their work.
The idea is to fuel the imagination of the young adult so
that he is inspired to learn more. University teachers have
an added responsibility of guiding students in various
entrance and competitive exams. A professor who keeps track
of these competitions will be much sought after.
There is a shortage of good teachers in the country, as many
in the profession are not really interested in it. If one is
good, it is possible to make a name in the profession.
Finally, it must be said that teaching as a profession is
often discounted. People treat it as a time pass and join it
because there may not be anything else to do. This is sad,
because the profession is a noble one and requires more
commitment than is commonly believed. Of course, it is the
committed teachers who are looked upon. A person who takes
short cuts will not find love in this profession.
|
|
