Careers in Teaching

Teaching is a highly noble profession, most suited one especially for women. Teachers are always a boon to society. Through their intelligence, patience and wisdom, they attempt to not only hone the learner's intellect and aptitude but also, create a well-rounded personality. Teaching has an influence in developing ones mind and character and also gives the satisfaction of having sparked the light of knowledge and dispelled the clouds of ignorance.

As this field is so vast having areas of specialisations, different skills and type of training are required for different levels. Areas of specialisation include teaching at nursery schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities, institutes, special schools etc. Each level calls for a different expertise. If you love to be with children, teaching at schools would be a good option, but if you want to be with young adults, it is better to look at the college or university level. Good teachers can bring out the best in every student. They are the ones who make a difference in the lives of their students. Rousing students from their apathy and watching their curiosity grow is one of the biggest rewards of teaching.

Main reason for opting this career could be interest in the subject, secure professional career and regular annual vacations. It can also be a second career for those who have retired from professional services.

Eligibility

Educational: From primary school all the way up to college, to arts and sports, training the handicapped, languages and so on, there is no limit to the various subjects and fields that a teacher-to-be can specialise in.

Nursery schools: Nursery Teachers Training. Minimum qualification: 10+2

Middle schools: Teachers Training Certificate (TTC) or its equivalent. Minimum qualification: 10+2

High Schools: Bachelor of Education (B.Ed). Minimum qualification: Graduation

Colleges/Universities: Post Graduate degree, preferably with Doctoral Degree. Also have to qualify the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by University Grants commission (UGC).

Special schools: Diploma in special Education. Minimum qualification: 10+2

Personal attributes:

You need to have a blend of mind, patience, confidence, liking for and an understanding of children which is a must. You must have organizing capacity, friendly and helpful nature to enter into this field. Teacher should have the ability to communicate well, to create a liking in young minds even in the case of most boring subjects. She/he should have a deep passion for the subject one handles. Must encourage in students the ability to analyse and think. A teacher must always remember that apart from teaching, it is he/she who shapes a child's character. Teacher has to be a friend, philosopher and guide to his wards.

Job Prospects and Career Options

Job prospects: They can find employment in

• Play schools

• Nursery schools

• Primary/elementary schools

• Secondary schools

• Colleges

• Universities

• Educational research institutes

• Special schools

• Self employment by starting institutes/tutorials

Career options

Nursery/Primary Schools: Nursery and primary school teachers have a huge responsibility in the sense that, it is what children learn and experience during their early years that shape their views and affect success or failures later in their lives. Thus teachers play a vital role in the social and intellectual development of children. They introduce children to numbers, language, science, social studies as well social interactions. Here games, music, artwork, computers and other tools are used to teach basic skills. While kindergarten teachers deal with children of 3 to 5 years, primary school teachers deal with those of 6 to 12 years.

Secondary Schools: The secondary school teachers instruct students from 8th to 12th standard. Usually they deal with one particular subject in which they specialise. Good base in the subject is a must.

Colleges/Universities: In universities or colleges there are lecturers and professors who specialise in a particular field. They give lectures, guidance and help the students in their academic and research work. Those who have organising ability have a further scope to become a principal, vice-chancellor in the management level.

Special schools: A challenging area in the field of teaching is that of dealing with children having physical and mental handicap and learning disabilities. The work is emotionally and physically demanding which needs a lot of patience. They have to work in close association with parents and medical professionals like speech therapist, physiotherapist etc. It is different from the normal teaching norms as each child needs special care depending on his/her disability.

Remuneration

Lectures draw a salary of Rs. 6,500 to Rs 10,500 at the entry level. The salary at Senior level is around Rs 8000 to Rs 13,500. The pay scale of professors ranges from Rs 12,400 to Rs 22,400