It’s yet another one of the many paradoxes of India that despite a massive (though not nearly enough) population of 5.5 million teachers I don’t recollect any serious career counselling/ guidance on how to become a teacher. I am disappointed with teaching myths and misinformation due to which career counsellors don’t encourage young people to enter this vital profession. The socially adverse fallout is that many high performers who could become very good teachers enter other professions, never getting to know their true calling. I am certain that if I were to conduct a career guidance session for a school, the principal would not encourage me to talk about teaching as a profession. However I am not particularly discouraged because wherever I go I find many high quality professionals who have chosen to teach. Unfortunately there are also quite a few who think of teaching as just a job and want to get away by doing as little as possible. I am also disappointed that (good) teachers don’t get paid well. But on the positive side there are hundreds of thousands of teachers who enjoy their work and discharge their duties diligently. There are numerous myths about the teaching profession and teachers which we should address. Among them: Those who can’t do, teach. Wrong. To teach well you need to know your subject and its application thoroughly. Women are more suited for this career. Erroneous. Gender is of no relevance. A good teacher is a good teacher irrespective of gender. Anybody can be a teacher. Partially true. Minimally qualified people can land a teacher’s job. But to be an effective teacher special qualities are required. Appropriate qualifications make for good teachers. Teachers’ training, a B.Ed degree support understanding of teaching but there’s more to teaching than degrees. A teacher’s job is not strenuous. Wrong. Good teachers work round the clock. They spend time learning their subjects, evaluating exam papers, preparing report cards and supporting students in various ways. They also continuously work on updating their own knowledge. Quite clearly the teaching profession is not for everyone. Prior to plunging into this profession, a degree of self-examination and self assessment is advisable. Here are some pointers: If you want to make a difference to the nation’s future choose to be a teacher; if you like interacting with children become a teacher; if you like long holidays which offer you a chance to do something totally different, be a teacher; if you believe in continuous learning be a teacher. Moreover becoming a teacher may support your passion — dance or painting; sculpting or photography; research, astronomy or theatre. But once having chosen this career path, put your heart and soul into it. Expectations of children are high and they are often let down by their teachers. Knowledge with regular updating is essential but the key is to relate (and teach) sincerely from the heart. It’s a peculiarly Indian phenomenon that despite the lives of all successful professionals having been shaped by teachers, few people seriously consider becoming teachers. Young…
