What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a teacher? You Be the Judge considers both advantages and disadvantages of teaching. Clearly teachers are underpaid, and can find themselves isolated, locked in routine, and lacking professional respect. But the job of working with children and caring colleagues, intellectual stimulation and the idea of doing important, even noble work, provide rich psychic rewards.
What are the satisfactions—and complaints—of today's teachers? While the majority of teachers are satisfied with their careers, a growing attrition rate reflects inadequate salaries, workload demands, and discipline problems. It is useful to recall that local conditions have a major impact on teacher satisfaction.
Can we consider teaching to be a profession? Critics note alternative preparation and licensure of teachers create a "semiprofession" at best, and key decisions, like curriculum, are left to others. Those who claim that teaching has earned full professional status assert that its knowledge and research base is growing, and at many universities, five years of study and training are now required. Teachers must now prove themselves through a growing number of tests for both admission to and advancement in the profession.
How has teacher preparation changed over the years? In colonial times, teachers were treated as meek and docile servants of the public, and teachers' conduct both in and out of school was scrutinized. In the 1800s, normal schools prepared teachers, and by the 1900s, many universities began their own teacher education programs. Several reform reports, including Tomorrow's Teachers and A Nation Prepared, urge higher standards, increased professionalism for teacher preparation, and recognition of superior performance through board certification.
Do educators and the public agree on the most effective way to prepare teachers? Teachers, education professors, and the general public often differ on what schools should value and emphasize. Classroom teachers and the general public are more likely than education professors to support traditional values, including punctuality, neatness, competition, and tougher promotion standards, while professors are more likely to stress the acquisition of strong teaching skills. In the final analysis, teacher candidates themselves should refine their individual strengths and weaknesses, and develop their skills by exploring resources both within and beyond their teacher education program.
What traits and characteristics are needed for successful teaching? Successful teachers often have a strong work ethic and intellectual curiosity, enjoy working with children and the community, and managing and motivating people. A good sense of humor can come in handy as well. Many of these interpersonal skills are also useful in other people-oriented organizations, like Southwest Airlines. Unfortunately, corporate cultures that focus on employee satisfaction and autonomy are too rarely found in schools.
Is teaching a "good fit" for you? A major purpose of this text is to help you assess if teaching is the right career for you. This chapter begins that process by encouraging you to rate yourself on the characteristics associated with effective teaching.
What steps can you take now on the road to becoming a teacher? You are invited to use the RAP activities, further suggested readings, and online activities in this text to clarify your thoughts about teaching. We try to anticipate your questions and get you actively involved in this book, but we invite you to send additional questions to us, either through snail mail or e-mail at www.mhhe.com/sadker7e. If you are pretty sure that teaching is for you, we can help you reach that goal. It is wise to meet with an advisor and check the requirements before you choose your courses. You may also want to consider some useful steps that you can take during this time: prepare your résumé and portfolio, solicit recommendations, and stay informed about the job market. It may be early, but it is not too early.
