Teachers play an important role in our lives. They are considered secondary parents by most people, and this makes teaching a very noble profession. Just like every profession, it is necessary to continue the learning process and develop oneself by gaining knowledge and techniques that are compatible with the times.
Many avenues help teachers continue their development. There are forums and symposiums specific to a subject, language workshops for teachers, and seminars for personal and professional development. Why do teachers dedicate their time and effort for these activities when their day is already loaded? The best teachers would share the rationale.
Teachers Need to Learn Better Methods to Teach
The stereotypical image of teachers as seniors who wear glasses and stand up in front of the class all day is outdated. With constant research and development, there are new and effective methods of teaching. The use of technology is also a key subject that teachers need to adopt.
Instead of just using the chalk and board, there are now more interactive media of learning, such as PowerPoint presentations. Teachers need to incorporate this technology into their classroom.
However, developing better methods does not only refer to technology. It also refers to new methods for math and language subjects. Math is a subject that is constantly in flux and is considered one of the most difficult for the majority of students. That said, there is a need to develop new methods to enable the younger students to learn it faster.
Teachers Need to Keep Up with Changes in their Subject
Language is as dynamic as the people who use it and it is therefore required that language teachers are updated with any changes. There are new words that are accepted in the English dictionary every year and it, even more, is being used in everyday conversations. The teachers need a clear understanding of these.
Science is also a subject that experiences constant change. Some examples are the status of Pluto as a planet and recent discoveries of fossils leading to a new species of man. Educational institutions like universities and even the primary level should coordinate, so they can be uniform in their teaching.
Training Will Improve Teachers’ Leadership Skills
Teaching does not only refer to imparting knowledge. The teacher also acts as the de facto leader of the class. They need to project an aura of integrity and wisdom. As the leaders, they need to be assertive and show a willingness to take charge. These traits are not always inherent among those who practice the profession.
While there are personality development subjects in the curriculum for Education, the teachers would be more effective if they adopt modern approaches that would be beneficial for their students. An example of this is how the old, fear-driven method of teaching is no longer effective for students who already wield a form of entitlement. There are other approaches that teachers can learn – they could be part of a tuition agency where they can exercise their teaching capability.
Teachers would be more effective if they continue to practice what they preach. Education is a lifetime, continuous process and a degree does not signify the end of learning.
