teaching as a profession

There is no other profession like teaching. It can be exciting, frustrating, exhilarating, tiring, rewarding, infuriating and fulfilling- all in one day! The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) explains teaching as a profession in the following way:

So you're thinking about becoming a teacher? Teaching is one of the most demanding careers once can choose. Yet it is also one of the most rewarding. Choosing to teach is choosing to make a difference in the lives of children—to help them learn to read, solve a math problem, or discover how plants grow. Teaching is about conveying a love of learning and discovery, and giving children the tools they can use throughout their lives to make their own discoveries.

Today's teachers must be ready to play a variety of roles in the classroom: educator, motivator, guide, counselor, coach, and disciplinarian. They must also be prepared for the demands on their time outside the classroom: grading papers, planning lessons, dealing with myriad administrative tasks. Teachers must be prepared to work as part of a team, combining their efforts with their colleagues, supervisors, and parents to create the best possible learning environment for their students. In addition, teachers must continually educate themselves—learning about new advances in education, new technologies, and new ways to encourage their students to reach their full potential.

-©1997 NCATE