Inspire’s core belief
that teachers have the greatest impact on the life of a child and that a
motivated teacher is the greatest asset to society gives us a reason to
celebrate this teacher’s day. We interviewed some teachers and asked three
questions that drives them as teachers. While most feel that these were the
questions often asked but the responses often unheard. We take this opportunity
to share with you The Voice of Teachers.
Q1. What made you
pursue teaching as a profession?
According to most
teachers, teaching being a woman dominated profession, was an obvious choice as
parents wanted their daughters to be safe, be able to tend to their families
and certainly at one point of time it was the most convenient option. For few others,
the reasons were simply that entering this profession is the easiest due to low
entrance barriers except a B. Ed certification. Many say that because they
idolized their teachers they long before had decided to be teachers whereas most
felt that the passion kindled only after becoming teachers.
One of the most
touching responses was from a teacher who did not want children today to be
victims of system failure as she was. She set out to make a difference in every
possible way.
Q2. How do you
visualize your career path?
From the tete a tete with teachers who were
beginners, to teachers whose careers spanned over several decades, we realized
that the beginners were brimming with hope that they will inch forward and
become better teachers as they gain more experience, while others aspired and
hoped to grow in the school ladder. And there are some who plan to be
children’s books author. There were few success stories too to share where the
career shaped as planned and dreamt of. Alarmingly, majority felt discontent
and stagnated as they continued to teach the same classes and subjects over
many years. Some even accepted that they were comfortable and complacent.
Q3. What are the
motivators and challenges of teaching profession?
Most teachers felt
gratification through the joy and pleasure that children bring along. The fact
that they have been able to impact many lives continues to motivate them to
touch many more. The appreciation and respect from students, parents, school
authorities and the society have been the greatest motivators.
Challenges have been
many, and the greatest being striking a balance between being a career woman
and a homemaker. The demands of the job being emotionally, mentally and
physically too high, teachers do acknowledge that at times they are not able to
justify their jobs fully. Challenges are school specific and at various levels-
they can be classroom bound, administrative and even policy level. Inadequate teacher student ratios,
heterogeneity in learning abilities, demands from parents are major challenges
of the classroom. Most teachers find executing CCE (Continuous Comprehensive
Evaluation) along with classroom transaction the most challenging part of their
job.
We conclude that for
majority teaching was not a chosen profession but an easy to walk in
profession. The barriers for people aspiring to be teachers need to be raised
as teachers are instrumental in shaping and preparing the upcoming generation.
Teachers should be able to experience growth for which they should be trained
time and again through a variety of teacher education programs and be granted
performance based appraisals and promotions as any other organization.
“A teacher affects eternity;
he can never tell where his influence stops.” Henry Brooks Adams
A happy and a satisfied
teacher only can influence her students in the positive way. Inspire wishes
everyone a Happy Teachers day.
