Teachers as professionals (class reaction)

Last class we briefly begin discussing the topic of whether teaching is viewed as a profession. I feel that it has to do with the stigma that some individuals associate with teaching. Some believe that teachers, especially in early childhood, are only there to watch their children while they go to work. Some people also believe that it does not take any ‘real’ skills to teach a child at such a young age. Those who are not in the field of education or have not taken time to enlighten themselves on the career aspects are not aware of what is involved in teaching and the roles that have to be played by one individual. . So much can occur in the few hours that school is in session. A teacher has to act as a disciplinarian, a co-parent, a psychiatrist, and the list can possibly go on. Very few are knowledgeable of the fact that we have to know about developmental stages and sign of learning disabilities and so on. I do believe that questioning teaching as a profession partially stems from the salary and style of dress (especially in early childhood) that is associated with teaching. The current salary for teaching is nowhere that of careers usually deemed as professional. Coming from a business background, I myself am guilty of associating dress style with professionalism. I do believe that unless you are teaching preschool or kindergarten, teachers need to present themselves in a more professional manner when it comes to dress. Overall, in order for the general public to view teaching as a profession, they have to be made aware of what it takes to obtain a degree in education, what rules and regulations have to be abided by, what standards have to met, and what activities take place in a classroom at all levels. I look forward to discussing the article that coincides with this discussion tonight.