Teaching is a profession. It requires educational training and qualifications and, thus, must be a profession. Merriam Webster defines profession as "a type of job that requires special education, training or skill". Teachers are skilled in a content area and are then paid to convey that information to students. Teachers are educated and trained accordingly. Although there is much teaching that goes on through most individual's everyday interactions, we don't refer to every person who can cook a meal as a professional chef.
A profession implies skill, compensation, and mastery. A profession is something that people see as a calling and can devote themselves to. Teaching is absolutely a profession, and possibly the best profession that there is. What better profession could there be than to teach the youth?
Yes, I do believe that teaching is a profession. According to Websters dictionary, the word profession is defined as “a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation.” In preparation to become a secondary biology teacher, I went through 4 years of undergraduate studying biological science and 1 year of studying physiology and biophysics. Most of teachers go through similar paths to study and gain knowledge in the areas that they intend to teach. On top of studying content areas, teachers receive specific training in education through graduate, certificate, or other teaching programs to learn about effective methods to teach different students.
The profession also requires continual professional development. The department of Education requires teachers to be continually educated and improve skills through professional development. Therefore, teaching license cannot be renewed unless certain requirements are completed.
I believe that knowing the content area is not enough to be in this profession. Many other skills are required especially in the areas such as communication, counseling, problem solving, etc. It is the profession that requires many hours in preparation and planning. Therefore, I must be committed, dedicated, and passionate. It is challenging yet rewarding profession as I hope to educate students in science and impact and change directions of their lives.
Dictionary.com lists the definition for the word profession as “a vocation requiring knowledge of some department of learning or science” and even lists “the profession of teaching” as an example. However, it does differentiate the words profession and learned profession. In comparison, a learned profession requires “highly advanced learning”. These professions are in the fields of theology, law, and medicine. I took a different stance on the blog’s original question after reading these two definitions.
I would argue that teaching is comparable to theology, law, or medicine in the requirements needed to practice. Teaching in the sense of formal instruction of a group of students requires specific educational stipulations. For example there are multiple routes to become a certified teacher in the state of Virginia, however, all the routes require an individual to hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. There are additional requirements set forth by state in order for individuals to be certified. In a similar way, law and medicine has concrete minimum requirements for education and test scores among other things. The field of theology is less uniform and relies mostly on local standards and ordinances. Teaching seems to be amongst the learned professions in its rigor and the commitment it takes from an individual.
Now I wonder if teaching will ever be regarded with as much respect as doctors, lawyers, and religious figures. Programs like RTR may help to turn the tide on values that are placed on professions.
I wanted to comment on the "if teaching will ever be regarded with as much respect as doctors, lawyers, and religious figures" statement because it made me think about my own personal reasons for going to graduate school. Besides loving chemistry and wanting to do chemical research, I wanted to be able to say "I'm a chemist." I wanted to feel the respect that comes along that profession. I think had I decided to go into teaching a few years ago I would have felt like I was down grading my skills and somehow not using my full potential. Today I can proudly say I have a very different view on teaching as a profession but I believe that there are still many people who think as I once did and do not give teaching professionals their due respect.
I have always considered teaching as profession but after being presented with the question, I actually looked up the definition of a profession because my first thought was “why would I not think of teaching as a profession and do I not know the meaning of the word profession” Most definitions I came across referred to a profession as an occupation or career that requires training or skill. This definition for me only confirmed what I originally thought, that “Yes, teaching is a profession”. I think that teaching requires training. Being able to deliver information so that others can comprehend it and build upon it takes skill.
Some may argue that anyone can teach so it doesn’t require training or skill. My belief is, anyone can go into a room and present information but it takes a teacher, someone who has been trained through coursework and experience, to make the difference in how the information is accepted and to make it matter to the students. I think that getting students to actually learn the information takes skill and not everyone can do it.
I believe teaching is a profession, and I am always surprised by the fact that some folks feel otherwise. On several occasions I’ve heard the phrase, “those who cannot ‘do’ teach”. This statement insinuates that teachers become teachers because they are unqualified for other professions. I’ve also heard the argument made that teachers are overpaid.
However, teaching requires specialized training in both teaching techniques as well as in the content area. Thousands of teachers all over the world treat it as a profession, and make a living through teaching. In my personal opinion, these teachers should be considered professionals on a level playing field with others working for businesses, governments and in industry. Like other jobs, teaching requires skill talent and knowledge. Furthermore, when someone teaches for a living, they continually develop greater skills and knowledge, improving as they continue to do the job. Teachers also have a meaningful impact on their students, and thus a meaningful impact on society.
As far as teachers being overpaid, I certainly don’t buy it. In most cases, teachers make less than those working for businesses, government, or industry in the same field. I feel that those that would make an argument for teachers being overpaid do so from a political standpoint, in an attempt to belittle education as an unworthy public expense.
I remember the words of Terry Dozier during my interview days: “When you enter RTR, you are no longer a student; you are a professional.” Her words stuck with me, and they challenged me to see the ways that my ideas about being a teacher are informed by the culture around me, which often portrays teachers as women wearing tacky sweaters—quite the opposite of our visions of “professionalism.”
I cannot disagree with all of your comments above: of course I agree that teaching is a profession, just as being a lawyer is a profession, or being an electrician, or being a psychiatrist. According to the criteria you all have mentioned, like requiring specialized training and continued development, teaching easily fits into the category of “profession.”
It should be said, though, that teaching is unfortunately often not thought of as a particularly professional thing to do, although it is clearly a profession. This culture associates professionalism with suits, briefcases, long conference tables, and offices. Not to say that teachers cannot wear suits or carry briefcases, but most cultural ideas of professionalism do not jibe with the everyday realities of being a teacher.
Without a doubt, I believe teaching is a profession. Like many of you did to validate your various points, I quickly turned to my handy dictionary to figure out the exact meaning of the word profession. According to Google, profession is defined as “a paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.” Licensed teachers have to go through a series of tests, teacher prep classes and many other certification courses, to simply be considered qualified to teach in their profession. Likewise, according to the provided definition on profession, teachers also are paid; thus, the teaching as an occupation satisfies both conditions needed to be considered a profession.
In my opinion, teaching is one of the most important professions that exist. Not only do teachers affect a multitude of lives, but they are some of the most influential people in children’s lives during key developmental periods. In answering Kendra’s question, I can’t think of another PROFESSION better than that of teaching the youth. To be such an informative figure in a child’s life greatly increases the value of the profession, as teaching transforms from simply being another career to a life effecting occupation.
To me, teaching is most definitely a profession, one that stretches back to early mankind and even further. In the modern sense, it is integral to the proper development of a child's mind, body, and spirit. If left to their own devices, with no structured school day, there's no telling the amount of trouble young people would get themselves into.
A few of the other students defined the word "profession," and the one I found was, "a paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification." Considering that we are embarking on a high course load as well as a year of student teacher en route to a Masters Degree, I'd say we foot the bill in that regard. We will have yet another degree as well as a certification. The fact that public school teaching is a public service takes absolutely nothing away from that.
The fact that teaching even needs to be questioned as to whether it's a profession in implicitly sad, but the fact of the matter lies within the politics within school districts, government, unions, etc that soil what should be considered the epitome of jobs. Most people have been positively influenced by a favorite teacher or been helped especially by one - someone they will never forget. Hopefully the tide of positivity towards our future profession shifts in the future, and there will be a renewed sense of respect for the it. As future teachers, we simply have to embrace our love for our work and accept the fact that most of the world doesn't understand everything that goes into being a proper educator.
Teaching is a profession. It requires educational training and qualifications and, thus, must be a profession. Merriam Webster defines profession as "a type of job that requires special education, training or skill". Teachers are skilled in a content area and are then paid to convey that information to students. Teachers are educated and trained accordingly. Although there is much teaching that goes on through most individual's everyday interactions, we don't refer to every person who can cook a meal as a professional chef.
ReplyDeleteA profession implies skill, compensation, and mastery. A profession is something that people see as a calling and can devote themselves to. Teaching is absolutely a profession, and possibly the best profession that there is. What better profession could there be than to teach the youth?
Oops, that was from Kendra.
ReplyDeleteDaisy's post
ReplyDeleteYes, I do believe that teaching is a profession. According to Websters dictionary, the word profession is defined as “a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation.” In preparation to become a secondary biology teacher, I went through 4 years of undergraduate studying biological science and 1 year of studying physiology and biophysics. Most of teachers go through similar paths to study and gain knowledge in the areas that they intend to teach. On top of studying content areas, teachers receive specific training in education through graduate, certificate, or other teaching programs to learn about effective methods to teach different students.
The profession also requires continual professional development. The department of Education requires teachers to be continually educated and improve skills through professional development. Therefore, teaching license cannot be renewed unless certain requirements are completed.
I believe that knowing the content area is not enough to be in this profession. Many other skills are required especially in the areas such as communication, counseling, problem solving, etc. It is the profession that requires many hours in preparation and planning. Therefore, I must be committed, dedicated, and passionate. It is challenging yet rewarding profession as I hope to educate students in science and impact and change directions of their lives.
I absolutely feel teaching is a profession.
ReplyDeleteDictionary.com lists the definition for the word profession as “a vocation requiring knowledge of some department of learning or science” and even lists “the profession of teaching” as an example. However, it does differentiate the words profession and learned profession. In comparison, a learned profession requires “highly advanced learning”. These professions are in the fields of theology, law, and medicine. I took a different stance on the blog’s original question after reading these two definitions.
I would argue that teaching is comparable to theology, law, or medicine in the requirements needed to practice. Teaching in the sense of formal instruction of a group of students requires specific educational stipulations. For example there are multiple routes to become a certified teacher in the state of Virginia, however, all the routes require an individual to hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. There are additional requirements set forth by state in order for individuals to be certified. In a similar way, law and medicine has concrete minimum requirements for education and test scores among other things. The field of theology is less uniform and relies mostly on local standards and ordinances. Teaching seems to be amongst the learned professions in its rigor and the commitment it takes from an individual.
Now I wonder if teaching will ever be regarded with as much respect as doctors, lawyers, and religious figures. Programs like RTR may help to turn the tide on values that are placed on professions.
I wanted to comment on the "if teaching will ever be regarded with as much respect as doctors, lawyers, and religious figures" statement because it made me think about my own personal reasons for going to graduate school. Besides loving chemistry and wanting to do chemical research, I wanted to be able to say "I'm a chemist." I wanted to feel the respect that comes along that profession. I think had I decided to go into teaching a few years ago I would have felt like I was down grading my skills and somehow not using my full potential. Today I can proudly say I have a very different view on teaching as a profession but I believe that there are still many people who think as I once did and do not give teaching professionals their due respect.
Delete-Stevara
Stevara's post
ReplyDeleteI have always considered teaching as profession but after being presented with the question, I actually looked up the definition of a profession because my first thought was “why would I not think of teaching as a profession and do I not know the meaning of the word profession” Most definitions I came across referred to a profession as an occupation or career that requires training or skill. This definition for me only confirmed what I originally thought, that “Yes, teaching is a profession”. I think that teaching requires training. Being able to deliver information so that others can comprehend it and build upon it takes skill.
Some may argue that anyone can teach so it doesn’t require training or skill. My belief is, anyone can go into a room and present information but it takes a teacher, someone who has been trained through coursework and experience, to make the difference in how the information is accepted and to make it matter to the students. I think that getting students to actually learn the information takes skill and not everyone can do it.
Brendan here.
ReplyDeleteI believe teaching is a profession, and I am always surprised by the fact that some folks feel otherwise. On several occasions I’ve heard the phrase, “those who cannot ‘do’ teach”. This statement insinuates that teachers become teachers because they are unqualified for other professions. I’ve also heard the argument made that teachers are overpaid.
However, teaching requires specialized training in both teaching techniques as well as in the content area. Thousands of teachers all over the world treat it as a profession, and make a living through teaching. In my personal opinion, these teachers should be considered professionals on a level playing field with others working for businesses, governments and in industry. Like other jobs, teaching requires skill talent and knowledge. Furthermore, when someone teaches for a living, they continually develop greater skills and knowledge, improving as they continue to do the job. Teachers also have a meaningful impact on their students, and thus a meaningful impact on society.
As far as teachers being overpaid, I certainly don’t buy it. In most cases, teachers make less than those working for businesses, government, or industry in the same field. I feel that those that would make an argument for teachers being overpaid do so from a political standpoint, in an attempt to belittle education as an unworthy public expense.
I remember the words of Terry Dozier during my interview days: “When you enter RTR, you are no longer a student; you are a professional.” Her words stuck with me, and they challenged me to see the ways that my ideas about being a teacher are informed by the culture around me, which often portrays teachers as women wearing tacky sweaters—quite the opposite of our visions of “professionalism.”
ReplyDeleteI cannot disagree with all of your comments above: of course I agree that teaching is a profession, just as being a lawyer is a profession, or being an electrician, or being a psychiatrist. According to the criteria you all have mentioned, like requiring specialized training and continued development, teaching easily fits into the category of “profession.”
It should be said, though, that teaching is unfortunately often not thought of as a particularly professional thing to do, although it is clearly a profession. This culture associates professionalism with suits, briefcases, long conference tables, and offices. Not to say that teachers cannot wear suits or carry briefcases, but most cultural ideas of professionalism do not jibe with the everyday realities of being a teacher.
Without a doubt, I believe teaching is a profession. Like many of you did to validate your various points, I quickly turned to my handy dictionary to figure out the exact meaning of the word profession. According to Google, profession is defined as “a paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.” Licensed teachers have to go through a series of tests, teacher prep classes and many other certification courses, to simply be considered qualified to teach in their profession. Likewise, according to the provided definition on profession, teachers also are paid; thus, the teaching as an occupation satisfies both conditions needed to be considered a profession.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, teaching is one of the most important professions that exist. Not only do teachers affect a multitude of lives, but they are some of the most influential people in children’s lives during key developmental periods. In answering Kendra’s question, I can’t think of another PROFESSION better than that of teaching the youth. To be such an informative figure in a child’s life greatly increases the value of the profession, as teaching transforms from simply being another career to a life effecting occupation.
To me, teaching is most definitely a profession, one that stretches back to early mankind and even further. In the modern sense, it is integral to the proper development of a child's mind, body, and spirit. If left to their own devices, with no structured school day, there's no telling the amount of trouble young people would get themselves into.
ReplyDeleteA few of the other students defined the word "profession," and the one I found was, "a paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification." Considering that we are embarking on a high course load as well as a year of student teacher en route to a Masters Degree, I'd say we foot the bill in that regard. We will have yet another degree as well as a certification. The fact that public school teaching is a public service takes absolutely nothing away from that.
The fact that teaching even needs to be questioned as to whether it's a profession in implicitly sad, but the fact of the matter lies within the politics within school districts, government, unions, etc that soil what should be considered the epitome of jobs. Most people have been positively influenced by a favorite teacher or been helped especially by one - someone they will never forget. Hopefully the tide of positivity towards our future profession shifts in the future, and there will be a renewed sense of respect for the it. As future teachers, we simply have to embrace our love for our work and accept the fact that most of the world doesn't understand everything that goes into being a proper educator.