Responsibilities of a Teacher

The educator, believing in the worth and dignity of each human being, recognizes the supreme importance of the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, and the nurture of democratic principles. Essential to these goals is the protection of the freedom to learn and to teach, and the guarantee of equal education opportunity for all - National Education Association's (NEA) Code of Ethics for the Education Profession.

If you thought a teaching job was a cakewalk, think again! The responsibilities and duties of a teacher are many and varied. Teachers act as facilitators for incorporating and encouraging intellectual and social development in the formative years of a students life. The emphasis that education will help uplift one socially, intellectually, emotionally and personally is what a teacher fosters in children all through preschool, high school and college. A preschool teacher plays a pivotal role in child development, and although, the role of a preschool, high school and a college teacher may differ to meet specific age and subject criteria, it cannot be argued that the duties and responsibilities of a teacher will always remain the same.

Role and Responsibilities of a Teacher

Towards Themselves

• To be a teacher out of choice, and not by default.
• To acquire relevant professional education and training to get the right concepts of teaching.
• Honesty and sincerity towards the profession.
• Accept that being a teacher does not make you a 'know it all'; so it's important to become a partner in the learning cycle with your students.
• Accept that no two students will think, act and react alike, and to respect that diversity.
• Upgrade knowledge and learn new ways of teaching.
• Avoid indulging in unethical behavior, and at all times maintain the dignity a teacher-student relation.

Towards Students

• Inculcate model behavior and mannerisms by self example.
• Prepare long-term teaching programs and daily lessons in accordance with the guidelines of the school's education system.
• Provide activities and materials that engage and challenge the students intellectually.
Understand and implement the use of information technology in lesson preparation and teaching.
• Shift between a formal and an informal method of teaching; debates, discussions, practical activities, experiments, projects and excursions.
• Plan, set and evaluate grade test, exams and assignments.
• Supervise student conduct during class, lunchtime and other breaks.
• Understand the diverse background students come from, their strength, weakness and areas of interest.
• Be honest in student appraisal, avoid favoritism.
• Enforce discipline by firmly setting class room rules.
• Resolve conflict among students by encouraging positive debate.
• Be ready to adjust teaching styles to meet individual needs of students.

Towards Parents

• Keep the parents well informed about their ward's progress.
• Take time out to discuss an issue, or a problematic behavior.
• Encourage parents to promote various diverse interests of their children.
• Inform the parents about after school activities; excursions, meetings as well as detention.
• Keep the parent feedback journal updated.
• Encourage parent participation in parent-teacher meets.
• Finally, work with the parents for the betterment of the student's future.

Towards Management

• Actively involve yourself in all staff meetings, educational conferences and school programs.
• Voluntarily participate in organizing sporting events, and other excursions like camping trips, picnics, educational tours, etc.
• Maintain a healthy relation with all teaching and non-teaching staff members.
• Help out in formulating school policies.
• Carry out administrative duties relevant to your position in the school.

In an emerging world, responsibilities of a teacher have increased four folds. From being a person that just imparts bookish knowledge, a teacher now has the power to shape a better world for her students. So, perhaps it's time to write that thank-you letter to your teacher, because after all, it's your teacher that empowers you with the knowledge to take on the world!