What Is Teaching And How To Become A Teacher?

1. What Does A Teacher Do?
2. Roles and responsibilities of a teacher
3. Why build a career in teaching?
4. Pros and cons of a career in teaching
5. Qualification required for teaching
6. Teaching courses & certifications
7. Teaching jobs in India
8. Teaching job roles
9. Teaching salaries
10. Teaching skills
11. Teaching tools
12. Common career paths to become a teacher
13. Tips to get a teaching job
14. Teaching blogs
15. Teaching books
16. Teaching YouTube videos & channels
17. Teaching forums
18. Teacher interview questions
19. Top schools and colleges to follow in India

A teacher or educator is often regarded as an important pillar of society. A teacher is responsible for shaping young minds and guiding them through the world of knowledge. The teaching profession is often seen as a noble profession across the globe. It is often chosen by people who enjoy imparting knowledge and experience joy in molding the next generation.

What Does A Teacher Do?

A teacher can be described as a person who assists other people in gaining knowledge, values, or competence. Teaching is often carried out by professionals who have been undergone training in their area of expertise.

Teaching can be carried out at schools or in colleges and universities. In fact, educators and trainers are also hired in corporate companies to help their employees acquire the latest skills in the industry.

Roles and responsibilities of a teacher

As a profession, teaching can be categorized into different levels or specialisations, where different skill sets as training methods are utilized. The main levels in the teaching field include the nursery school, primary school, secondary school, college, university, special schools and so on. In general, the important roles and responsibilities of a teacher include:

Some other roles and responsibilities of a teacher are:

• Working with the school/organisation in implementing the overall development plan
• Offering guidance and advice to students
• Communicating and cooperating with the parents, other members of the school staff.
• Participating and leading in-house training sessions.
• Participating in staff meetings and other meetings related to the administrations and organization of the school.

Why build a career in teaching?

Depending on which subject and age-group you specialise in, teaching opens up a wide range of scope. Starting from kindergarten to teaching at University, you can choose to teach in any field you excel in as long as you have the right qualification.

Scope of teaching

The teaching profession in India offers a wide range of options for practicing teaching:
• Nursery school
• Kindergarten
• Elementary/Primary schools
• Secondary schools
• Vocational schools
• Colleges/ Universities
• Research institutes
• Special schools

If you have the patience and ability to deal with young kids and their curious minds, kindergartens or primary schools might be the right fit for you. Secondary schools are filled with kids who are looking for further guidance as they try to decide what they want to be when they grow up and how to deal with the different obstacles that life throws at them.

However, if you prefer to teach more advanced topics and like to delve deeper into your subject arena, teaching at a college or a university would be a better fit. Regardless of where you prefer to teach, the bottom line is always the same - Imparting knowledge to those who seek it and helping them find their way through the complexities of life.

Demand for teachers
In 2018, a shortage of 45% of school teachers in government schools was reported (Source: India Today Report)

With a growing demand for quality education all over the country, there is no lack of job opportunities for well trained and experienced teachers. You can easily find a job to teach the age group you prefer and the subject you love as long as you exhibit the ability to teach students with dedication. In fact, experienced teachers are in much demand with the number of students going up every year.

Pros and cons of a career in teaching

Like every other profession, teaching also comes with its own set of pros and cons. Here are some of the commonly seen ones:

At the end of the day, teaching offers you a chance to create bond with kids that will last a lifetime. In fact, people often have fond memories of their favorite teachers long after they have finished their studies.

Qualification required for teaching

The teaching field is highly specialised and requires excessive training in order to gain the required expertise in the field. Knowledge in a subject is only one of the many criteria that a teacher has to fulfill. The ability to impart this knowledge via excellent communication skills, be able to set an example for the students, guide the students, have a sense of empathy for students in difficult situations are just a few of the many required skills to excel in the teaching field.

In order to be a teacher in India, there are several qualifications you can acquire to find a footing in the teaching field.

You can also appear for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) that is conducted by the CBSE in order to appoint teachers from classes I- VIII in government schools as well as some private schools.

If you prefer to teach at college or university level, you will be required to complete a masters in the subject you are interested in. Following that, you may be required to pursue M.Phil or Ph.D. You will also need to clear the National Eligibility Test (NET) exam conducted by the UGC to apply for a teaching post in a college or a university.

Teaching courses & certifications

Besides various offline teaching courses that are offered by many universities and intitutions across the country, there are a number of courses and certifications online as well. Here are a few of the popular teaching courses and certifications:

1. Website: Udemy.com
   Course: Master the Art of Teaching
   Price: Rs.2240
   Format: Online
   Learning duration: Self-paced

2. Website: Alison.com
   Course: Working with Students with Special Educational Needs
   Price: Free
   Format: Online
   Learning duration: 2-3 hours

3. Website: Udemy.com
   Course: Teaching ESL in Asia
   Price: Rs.2880
   Format: Online
   Learning duration: Self-paced

4. Website: Coursera.com
   Course: Get Organized: How to be a Together Teacher
   Price: Full course is free, Certificate costs Rs. 3,450
   Format: Online
   Learning duration: 10 hours

5. Website: edX.com
   Course: Classroom Strategies for Inquiry-Based Learning
   Price: Full course is free, Certificate costs Rs. 3,450
   Format: Online
   Learning duration: 4 weeks

6. Website: Udemy.com
   Course: Business English
   Price: Rs.3200
   Format: Online
   Learning duration: Self-paced

7. Website: Udemy.com
   Course: 14 top teaching and learning strategies
   Price: Rs.1280
   Format: Online
   Learning duration: Self-paced

8. Website: Coursera.com
   Course: The Teacher and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialization
   Price: Rs. 3,450
   Format: Online
   Learning duration: 2 months

9. Website: Udemy.com
   Course: How to be an online teacher
   Price: Rs. 1280
   Format: Online
   Learning duration: Self-paced

10. Website: Alison.com
    Course: Diploma in Teaching Skills for Educators
    Price: Free
    Format: Online
    Learning duration: 10-15 hours

11. Website: Udemy.com
    Course: International Teachers Course with CPD Cetificate Option
    Price: Rs.12,880
    Format: Online
    Learning duration: Self-paced

12. Website: Onlinestudies.com
    Course: Digital Pedagogies
    Price: Rs.1,77,150
    Format: Online
    Learning duration: 8 months

13. Website: British Council
    Course: British Council - Cambridge CELTA
    Price: INR 1,50,000
    Format: Full time, Part time, Online
    Learning duration: Varies as per format

Teaching jobs in India

Note: The data provided above was last updated in March 2019. It is subject to change.

The above table show data related to teaching vacancies in India collected from different popular job search portals. This indicates that there is no dearth of teaching vacancies in the country. Since teaching is a profession without borders, you will also find plenty of overseas opportunities when you build up your resume with the right experience and qualifications.

Teaching job roles

The teaching arena consists of jobs in various capacities. This table will give you an inkling of what is expected of you and in each capacity:

Teaching salaries

Salaries in the teaching field vary as per the job role, specialisation, and your experience. The table gives you an idea of the average salary for each job role.

|Job Role |Average Annual Salary (0-3 years of experience) |Salary Range (LPA)|
|-----------|-----------|----------|----------|
|Kindergarten Teacher
|Primary School Teacher |2.4 Lakh |1.5 to 5|
|Secondary School Teacher|3.6 Lakh |2 to 6|
|College/University Professor|5.4 Lakh |4 to 14|
|Trainer |1.6 Lakh| 1.0 to 3.5

Note: This data represents general salaries of teachers in private schools and institutions. However, salaries in the teaching profession are based on variety of factors such as type of institution, location, and subject.

Teaching skills

If you plan to build a career in teaching, there are a few skills that you need to develop.

• Core Skills

• Soft Skills
Interpersonal Skills, Conflict-solving Ability, Confidence, Patience, and Observation Skills

Teaching tools

Some of the common tools used by teachers have been mentioned below:

Common career paths to become a teacher

Some of the different ways you can get started on a teaching career include:

Career Path 1: Complete 10+2 or equivalent studies → Complete TTC or D.Ed. → Apply for teaching vacancies in primary schools

Career Path 2: Complete Graduation → Complete B.Ed. → Apply for a teaching post in higher primary or secondary schools

Career Path 3: Complete Graduation & Post Graduation → Pursue B.Ed. & M.Ed. → Apply as an academic counselor, teacher, head master, etc.

Career Path 4: Complete Graduation & Post Graduation → Ace the NET exam → Apply as an assistant professor in colleges or universities

Career Path 5: Complete Graduation, Post Graduation & Doctorate → Apply as a professor in universities and colleges.

Note: The above career paths are a few examples of how to start a career in teaching. The steps may vary depending on your background, skills, and interests as an individual.

Tips to get a teaching job

Take a look at these important tips to help you start your career in teaching.

1. Build an impressive resume

Schools and educational organizations are always on the lookout for teachers with plenty of experience in different fields. So, try to build up an impressive resume by doing plenty of internships and voluntary work in the field that you are specializing in and incorporate relevant resume skills in your profile.

2. Update your skills

The teaching field is constantly evolving with new methodologies and strategies in order to give learners and students the best experience possible. In order to meet this challenge, you need to keep yourself abreast of the latest happenings in the education arena.

3. Improve communication skills

Since the ability to communicate with your students plays a huge role in your role as a teacher, it is critical to improve your communication skills. In case you are planning on applying to local schools, it is a good idea to attain knowledge of the local language as well.

4. Networking

Similar to other job fields, teaching jobs can also be found by networking with other teachers in the same field. You can meet other educators by joining teachers groups, attending conferences, seminars, and other professional events.

Related: How to get a job referral?

5. Stay Relevant

Great teachers are always in demand. You can improve your worthiness by staying up to date with the current trends in education as well as your selected field of expertise. Read information related to your specialisation as well as various teaching/education related news and blogs.

Teaching blogs

In order to stay up to date, it is essential to use all the resources at your disposal. The blogs mentioned below often deal with the latest happening across the globe in the field of education.

1. Teach Thought

2. Vikaspedia Teacher’s Corner

3. Educable

4. We Are Teachers
   

5. Mindler

6. EdTechReview
   

7. Teach Junkie

8. Maps of India

9. Rapid E-Learning

Teaching books

Here is a list of popular books about teaching:

1. Make it Stick by Marl A. McDaniel

2. Teaching Outside the Box by Louanne Johnson
   

3. What Great Teachers Do Differently by Todd Whitaker

4. Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College (K–12) by Doug Lemov

5. Ignited Minds: Unleashing the power within India by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
   

6. The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules For Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child by Ron Clark
   

7. Engaging Ideas: The Professor's Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom by John C. Bean

8. McKeachie's Teaching Tips: Strategies, Research, and Theory for College and University Teachers (College Teaching) by W. J. McKeachie
   

9. The Skillful Teacher: On Technique, Trust, and Responsiveness in the Classroom by Stephen D. Brookfield
   

Teaching YouTube videos & channels

Here are a few videos on YouTube that will help you improve yourself and offer your students a more interesting way to learn new concepts.

1. Steps on How to Teach in an Active Learning Classroom

2. How To Be An Effective Teacher

3. Classroom Management Strategies To Take Control Of Noisy Students

4. Becoming a Better Teacher

5. Teaching Methods for Inspiring the Students of the Future

Teaching forums

If you would like to connect with fellow teachers across the globe or within India, it is a great idea to take a look at some of the forums mentioned below:

1. Vikaspedia Education Forum

2. ProTeacher Community

3. A to Z Teacher Stuff
   

Teacher interview questions

While going for an interview for a teaching post, make sure that you are impeccably groomed and on time. It is also essential to brush up on your subject knowledge. Since some interviewers request a demo class to understand how you will handle a group of students, it is a good idea to prepare a general topic along with the appropriate lesson plans.

Some of the commonly asked questions in an interview for a teaching interview can be seen at:

Teacher interview questions and answers

Top schools and colleges to follow in India

Here is a list of some popular schools and colleges in India.

Popular schools

• Doon School Dehradun

• Cotton Boys

• Mother's International, Delhi

• Bombay Scottish School

• Little Flower High School

• DAV Boys, Gopalapuram, Chennai

• St. Xavier's Collegiate, Kolkata

• St. John's High School, Chandigarh

Popular colleges

• Tata Institute Of Social Sciences, Mumbai

• Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi

• St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi
  

• Symbiosis, Pune
  

• Shri Ram College Of Commerce, New Delhi

• BITS, Pilani

• National Law School Of India University, Banglore

• Indian Institute Of Mass Communication, New Delhi

• All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

Teaching is considered to be one of the noblest professions in the world. With plenty of opportunities opening up in India and abroad, it is a great way to impart knowledge and train the next generation and help them make a mark in the world.