Gazi Md. Abdur Rashid :
The job profile of teacher will naturally contain more responsibilities than the task of teaching. You will be a leader, a motivator and often, a guardian. The moment you decided to become a teacher, you automatically assumed more responsibilities than merely imparting education and must fulfill your professional obligations by being a part of an institution. What you must do is to carry them out with diligence and become a true teacher. So, professional responsibilities that you will be liable for as a teacher reflect upon them throughout your career and bring about the change in the society that you are meant to do. The next generation will look up to you. And you must be their correct guide.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Teacher
Knowledge of the Subject-To have expert knowledge of the subject area, to pursue relevant opportunities to grow professionally and keep up-to-date about the current knowledge and research in the subject area (pedagogical expertise on specific subject/content).
Teaching-To plan and prepare appropriately the assigned courses and lectures, to conduct assigned classes at the scheduled times, to demonstrate competence in classroom instruction, to implement the designated curriculum completely and in due time, to plan and implement effective classroom management practices, to design and implement effective strategies to develop self-responsible/independent learners, to promote students’ intrinsic motivation by providing meaningful and progressively challenging learning experiences which include, but are not limited to: self-exploration, questioning, making choices, setting goals, planning and organizing, implementing, self-evaluating and demonstrating initiative in tasks and projects, to engage students in active, hands-on, creative problem-based learning, to provide opportunities for students to access and use current technology, resources and information to solve problems, to provides opportunities for students to apply and practice what is learned, to engage students in creative thinking and integrated or interdisciplinary learning experiences, to build students’ ability to work collaboratively with others, to adapt instruction/support to students’ differences in development, learning styles, strengths and needs, to vary instructional roles (e.g. instructor, coach, facilitator, co-learner, audience) in relation to content and purpose of instruction and students’ needs, to maintain a safe, orderly environment conducive to learning, to comply with requirements for the safety and supervision of students inside and outside the classroom
Professionalism- To be punctual and be available in the school during official working hours, To comply with policies, standards, rules, regulations and procedures of the school, To prepare and maintain lesson plans, To take precautions to protect school records, equipment, materials, and facilities, To participate responsibly in school/university improvement initiatives, To attend and participate in faculty meetings and other assigned meetings and activities according to school management policy, To demonstrate timeliness and attendance for assigned responsibilities, To work collaboratively with other teachers, professionals and staff, To participate in partnerships with other members of the school’s community to support student learning and school-related activities, To demonstrate the ability to perform teaching or other responsibilities, including good work habits, reliability, punctuality and follow through on commitments, To provide and accept evaluative feedback/remedial assistance in a professional manner, To create and maintain a positive and safe learning environment, To carry out any other related duties assigned by the head of the institutes.
Assessment-To define and communicate learning expectations to students, To apply appropriate multiple assessment tools and strategies to evaluate and promote the continuous intellectual development of the students, To assign reasonable assignments and homework to students as per university rules, To evaluate students’ performances in an objective, fair and timely manner, To record and report timely the results of quizzes, assignments, mid and final semester exams, To use student assessment data to guide changes in instruction and practice, and to improve student learning
Teaching is a mixture of art and science. There is no certainty as to what can happen in a classroom at any time. Effective teachers adjust to whatever conditions present themselves. To operate in these situations requires that teachers act as professionals, having maximum freedom. As it is popularly known, teaching is indeed one of the holiest professions. And most of the responsibilities you will have are selfless in nature. You will become the teacher the society looks for and have the skills to move ahead with passion. Identify your responsibilities early, work continuously for them and do your part for this world.
(Gazi Md. Abdur Rashid, Research Officer, District Education Office (Secondary), Munshiganj)
