When it comes to teaching, there is always an associated stigma that makes teaching one of the most misunderstood professions. People sometimes underestimate the hard work and endless efforts exerted by good teachers.
Here are 6 misconceptions about teachers and teaching that are so commonly heard among people.
1. Those who fail to do anything else, teach!
This is perhaps the most unreasonable thought people might have about teachers. Teachers are actually among the smartest people who not only specialize in a certain subject but also have gained education in teaching methods and certain aspects of psychology as well.
This is perhaps the most unreasonable thought people might have about teachers. Teachers are actually among the smartest people who not only specialize in a certain subject but also have gained education in teaching methods and certain aspects of psychology as well.
2. Teaching is easy.
This is a big misconception. Teaching is one of the most challenging jobs. Teachers have to plan their lessons ahead, teach, grade tests and assignments, answer questions, take control of the classroom, solve student’s problems and the list goes on and on. If this does not sound tough enough, imagine when a teacher even works as a private tutor outside of school.
This is a big misconception. Teaching is one of the most challenging jobs. Teachers have to plan their lessons ahead, teach, grade tests and assignments, answer questions, take control of the classroom, solve student’s problems and the list goes on and on. If this does not sound tough enough, imagine when a teacher even works as a private tutor outside of school.
3. A teacher’s day ends by the last school bell.
On the contrary, rarely does a teacher’s work end by 3 p.m.! Teachers devote so much of their time to their job even at home and on the weekends to grade papers or prepare for the next day.
On the contrary, rarely does a teacher’s work end by 3 p.m.! Teachers devote so much of their time to their job even at home and on the weekends to grade papers or prepare for the next day.
4. Teachers only teach.
False! A teacher is not only a teacher. On some days a teacher is also a friend, counselor and a nurse. Teachers are responsible for the learning of students and taking care of them as if they were their own children.
False! A teacher is not only a teacher. On some days a teacher is also a friend, counselor and a nurse. Teachers are responsible for the learning of students and taking care of them as if they were their own children.
5. If a student doesn’t do well, it’s the teacher’s fault.
One cannot deny that a teacher is held accountable for a great part of the student’s performance. It is a teacher’s job to motivate and facilitate learning for students. However, without the student’s will and self-motivation to learn, a teacher’s efforts are insignificant. Moreover, a teacher is not solely responsible for a child’s learning. Parents have an essential role of enriching them with the skills that build their personality and provide them with a suitable studying environment at home.
One cannot deny that a teacher is held accountable for a great part of the student’s performance. It is a teacher’s job to motivate and facilitate learning for students. However, without the student’s will and self-motivation to learn, a teacher’s efforts are insignificant. Moreover, a teacher is not solely responsible for a child’s learning. Parents have an essential role of enriching them with the skills that build their personality and provide them with a suitable studying environment at home.
6. Teachers aren’t as good as before.
This is a highly misconceived idea. Many parents believe that teaching these days is not as good as it used to be and that teachers nowadays are not as dedicated. In contrast, these days it is even tougher to become a teacher with the competition among graduates, especially that higher standards for accepting new teachers are being set.
This is a highly misconceived idea. Many parents believe that teaching these days is not as good as it used to be and that teachers nowadays are not as dedicated. In contrast, these days it is even tougher to become a teacher with the competition among graduates, especially that higher standards for accepting new teachers are being set.
Absolutely true. The misconception that irritates me the most is that teaching is easy. People who say that don't actually understand how difficult teaching is and how many responsibilities a teacher has to deal with not only inside the classroom but outside it too. Teaching is one of the most difficult jobs in the worlds because it deals with the minds and that's not a piece of cake.
ReplyDeleteI extremely disagree with what is thought about teaching and how bad teachers are being treated in this society, especially the Lebanese society. But we as educated new teachers we have to do our best and try to change these ideas as much as we can by simply treating our students in the good ways that lead them to think positively about teaching.
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