If you’re looking to enter the field of education, you may be deciding what kind of teacher you want to be. Some teachers focus on teaching specific subjects, while others focus on teaching specific types of students. Understanding which specialty area you want to choose can help you find a fulfilling career where you can succeed.
In this article, after defining the teaching profession, the qualities of a good teacher, and the importance of choosing a specialty, we will address the question, “What kind of teacher should I be?” by providing a brief list of different teaching roles.
What Does a Teacher Do?
A teacher specializes in providing education to students in different subjects and disciplines. Below are some of their common duties:
- Plans and Delivers Lessons: Teachers plan lessons using the curriculum of the educational institution they work for. They also ensure their lessons include a curriculum aligned with state standards so students learn at a similar pace to their peers and are prepared for state examinations. After planning the lessons, they make presentations and provide materials such as worksheets, tests, and notes to help their students understand the subject.
- Meets with Students: A teacher may meet with students individually or in small groups. They can assess their progress in certain subjects and build trusting relationships to facilitate their learning and answer their questions. They can also use this time to evaluate students’ strengths and weaknesses and adjust their future lesson plans accordingly.
- Grades Students’ Assignments: Teachers grade students’ assignments, including quizzes, tests, exams, and projects. They typically use a grading rubric to provide standardized grading for each student. They may also send an assignment back to the student with personalized feedback so the student can improve the quality of their work when completing future assignments.
- Enforces Rules: A teacher establishes and enforces classroom rules to create a productive learning environment for students. They may issue verbal warnings and assign disciplinary penalties when necessary. If a student consistently exhibits inappropriate behavior in the classroom, the teacher may contact their parent or guardian to report and resolve the situation.
What Are the Qualities of a Good Teacher?
When considering becoming a teacher in any field, keep in mind the qualities possessed by effective educators:
- Passionate about helping others learn
- Knowledgeable about their specific discipline
- Empathetic
- Kind
- Patient
- Creative
- Adaptable
- Ethical
- … (and many more)
Why Is Choosing a Teaching Specialization Important?
By choosing the right teaching specialization, you can experience the following advantages:
- Acquire the Appropriate Education: When you determine which teaching specialty to choose, you can tailor your academic knowledge to that discipline. For example, if you know you want to be a music teacher, you can pursue a more specific degree in music education rather than a more general degree, which can better prepare you for the job.
- Serve as an Authority on a Specific Subject: If you have a specialty, you can become an authority on the subject or subjects you teach to your students. It is common for teachers in specific disciplines to participate in research projects and mentor newcomers to the profession, thanks to their comprehensive education and experience in their field. This experience can also lead them to specific positions, such as department head.
- Experience Greater Job Satisfaction: Another key reason to choose a teaching specialty is that you can achieve the highest satisfaction in your career. While individuals may be passionate about teaching, they likely have different preferences when it comes to teaching specific subjects or classes. A high school physics teacher’s understanding of job satisfaction is likely different from that of a visual arts teacher.
What Kind of Teacher Should I Be?
When deciding what kind of teacher you want to be, consider asking yourself the following questions:
Which subjects interest me most?
Think about which classes you enjoyed learning and excelled at when you were in high school. If you loved a particular subject and earned good grades, you might enjoy teaching it to others. For example, if you’ve always loved reading and writing and excelled in your high school English classes, you might consider becoming an English, journalism, or literature teacher.
Whom do I want to teach?
When deciding on a teaching specialization, the choice of subject is not the only important consideration. You should consider the age range of students you think you can best teach, whether they are elementary, middle school, or high school students, or adults.
If you have an outgoing personality and enjoy spending time with young children, you might consider becoming an elementary school teacher. If you prefer managing more independent students, you might consider becoming a teacher who gives GED lessons to adults taking the GED exam. You might also consider teaching a different group of students, such as those participating in special education programs or taking honors classes.
What kind of environment do I want to teach in?
Consider the environment in which you would like to teach. Some courses may be easier or more accessible to teach via distance learning, so you might consider those types of courses if you want a remote or hybrid teaching position. If you want to interact directly with students, you might consider becoming a full-time teacher in a public school. Some teachers who want to experience a new culture choose to pursue a teaching career abroad.
