Responsibilities of a Teacher

Responsibilities of a Teacher
Responsibilities of a teacher transcend the act of merely passing on knowledge and disciplining students. A proactive teacher can direct a student to lead a fulfilling life that can go beyond a successful career. Read on to know about the several responsibilities a teacher needs to fulfill.

"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 Associations (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 helps uplift someone 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 a childs 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.
Roles and Responsibilities of an Educator

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 its important to become a partner in the learning cycle with the students.
• Accept that no two students will think, act and react alike, and respect that diversity.
• Upgrade knowledge and learn new ways of teaching.
• Avoid indulging in unethical behavior, and at all times maintain the dignity of a teacher-student relationship.
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 schools 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 formal and informal methods of teaching, like 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 strengths, weaknesses and areas of interest.
• Be honest in student appraisal and avoid favoritism.
• Enforce discipline by firmly setting classroom rules.
• Resolve conflict among students by encouraging positive debate.
• Be ready to adjust teaching styles to meet individual needs of students.
Towards Parents
• Keep parents well-informed about their wards progress.
• Take time out to discuss an issue, or a problematic behavior.
• Encourage parents to promote various diverse interests of their children.
• Inform parents about after-school activities like excursions, meetings, as well as detention.
• Keep the parent feedback journal updated.
• Encourage parent participation in parent-teacher meets.
• Finally, work with parents for the betterment of their childs future.
Towards Management
• Actively involve in 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 relationship 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.