What is a teacher? Definition, description of the profession, pros and cons

Teaching is one of the most sought after professions. It is necessary regardless of geographical location, type of political system, fashion trends. Once upon a time, when labor was not divided into certain professions, only the most senior and experienced members of the tribes became teachers. With the development of society, representatives of this profession began to practice special skills. Thus, the work of a teacher has become a craft.

The relevance of the teacher's work

The concept of who a teacher is appeared in Europe at the end of the 18th century. In the modern world, this profession is becoming increasingly important due to scientific and technological progress. Teachers accompany each child almost from infancy. And the rhythm of life of a modern person is so high and intense that one has to study throughout one's life - not excluding the retirement age.

How did the profession originate?

About who such a teacher has been known since the time of Confucius. The philosopher in his writings wrote that teachers should pass on knowledge from generation to generation. A significant breakthrough in the development of this profession was made in the days of ancient Greece. For the first time, the first educational institutions appeared here. These were boarding houses, schools, lyceums. Often the ancient Greek philosophers themselves acted as teachers in their own schools. Since the Middle Ages, education has become mandatory for every clergyman and ruler. Then education gradually began to acquire a mass character. Almost all representatives of the upper strata of the population began to study. Education has also become available to women. Special closed institutions were created for them.

Definition

The most precise definition of this profession was given in Ozhegov's dictionary: "A teacher is a person who teaches something." Dictionary D. N. Ushakov defines representatives of this craft as those who "are engaged in teaching a subject in a lower or secondary school." According to the small academic dictionary of the Russian language, a teacher is one who teaches a subject within the walls of a school, or one who instructs and instructs others.

What should a teacher be like?

Anyone who thought about who a teacher is could discover in practice one important pattern: in addition to a thorough knowledge of the subject being taught, a successful and effective representative of this profession must have excellent communication skills. If he does not know how to communicate with his audience - whether they are first-graders or students preparing to enter graduate school - the value of his knowledge will tend to zero. After all, he will not be able to convey them - which means that students will not be able to assimilate and apply them in practice.

In addition, a good teacher must have great patience, the ability to respect the personality of the student. Who is a teacher, if not the one who managed to find an individual approach to the student, allowing him to most effectively learn the necessary amount of knowledge? Therefore, a good teacher is not only the author of scientific works, who has all the necessary diplomas. This is also a subtle psychologist who knows how to convey knowledge to a particular student.

There are different definitions of what a teacher means. However, we can say for sure - this profession is creative, and it has both positive and negative sides. In addition to the creative element, the work of a teacher is not without routine. After all, it is he who has to constantly draw up curricula, check homework. To be a successful representative of his profession, he needs to carefully perform all this routine work. The teacher, in addition to the main element of his work - teaching - has many other responsibilities.

Who does the teacher work with?

A professional teacher must also be a strong-willed, restrained person. After all, he has to work with one of the most difficult age groups - teenagers. With regard to students in this category, not only attention is needed, but also the ability to maintain discipline. The educational process should not be disturbed due to the distraction of students to gadgets, communication, games. As for working with older students, as a rule, there are much fewer problems with them, because they are past puberty, and professional self-determination comes to the fore. However, in working with young men, the teacher must also show attentiveness, perseverance, and the ability to qualitatively organize the educational process.

Who is a teacher: description

What other things does a teacher do besides teaching? His responsibilities usually include the following:

• Drawing up a training plan.
• Preparation for lessons, preparation of lesson plans.
• Selection of the most effective teaching methods.
• Work on the preparation of various official documents: letters of recommendation, descriptions, characteristics, etc.
• Controlling student behavior.
• Self-education. Every member of this profession must learn throughout his life.

Requirements for teachers

The first thing every good teacher should have is excellent knowledge of their subject area. The teacher must be able to know a lot, and at the same time constantly develop. He must also be flexible and able to make quick decisions under stressful conditions. The teacher must also love children, find a common language not only with students, but also with their parents. The essential qualities of a good teacher are a good memory, intelligence, and attention to detail.

Profession "teacher": all the pros and cons

The benefits of this job typically include:

• Flexible work schedule. Usually, the teacher's working day ends by three o'clock in the afternoon, while office workers are forced to endure the cherished 18:00.
• Long holidays, holidays. The teacher, as a rule, goes on vacation with his students.
• An interesting job that involves various types of activity: today the teacher is preparing a seminar, tomorrow he is holding competitions among students, the day after tomorrow - a holiday. Many of the teachers say that the work of a vocation is the only thing that keeps them in the profession despite all the difficulties.
• Respect in society, the importance of the profession. Despite the fact that all professions are important for society, it is still customary to show special respect for teachers.
• Opportunity to work with tutoring.

But despite the numerous advantages of the teaching profession, it also has disadvantages:

• The need to constantly comply with educational standards and norms, to master new programs.
• Additional load in the form of work at home - checking homework, preparing for lessons.
• As a rule, work in a women's team.
• Lack of career growth prospects.
• Low salary.