A teacher's role involves more than simply standing in front of a classroom and lecturing. In fact, even though a teacher spends the majority of the day in the classroom, the actual teaching component is only part of the job. An effective teacher understands that teaching involves wearing multiple hats to ensure that the school day runs smoothly and all students receive a quality education.
At the planning stage, teachers play multiple roles. They are learners, constantly taking classes and attending professional development sessions to learn the latest best practices and strategies for effective teaching. Many teachers regularly collaborate with one another to gain new ideas for teaching, planning grade-level instruction and combining subjects to enhance the learning experience. They analyze test results and other data to help determine the course of their instruction and make changes in their classrooms. Teachers also design lesson plans to teach the standards and provide engaging activities, while taking into account each student's interests and instructional needs.
Instead of just lecturing in the classroom, teachers are facilitators of learning, providing students with the information and tools they need to master a subject. At times, teachers act like tutors, working with small groups of students or individual students within the classroom or after class. Teachers also play the role of evaluators, constantly assessing students' abilities through formal and informal assessments, providing suggestions for improvement and assigning grades.
Perhaps the most important roles teachers fill involve interacting with students. Teachers must be leaders in the classroom and in the school, earning the respect of students and setting a positive example. They must be disciplinarians, doling out fair and consistent punishments to students who break the rules. At the same time, teachers must show care and concern for students. A teacher has the power to build up or tear down a student's self-esteem and make a student's day or ruin it in an instant. When interacting with students, a teacher must fill the role of a counselor, a surrogate parent, a nutritionist and someone who has the best interests of every child at heart.
Other Professional Duties
Throughout the school day and over the course of the school year, teachers take on other roles, as well. They are chaperones at school functions and coaches of school sports. They are monitors at lunch and recess and serve as fundraisers for field trips and school supplies. Teachers also play the role of interior designer, making sure their classrooms are set up to support learning and act as artists when they update their bulletin boards and other displays.
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