Some people look at teachers and wonder how they manage their jobs and lives. Some students may look at teachers and think, “why would I ever want to do this?” However, some people (such as myself) look at teachers and are inspired by what they do. According to the National Center for Education, the time and preparation that goes into teaching is long and a lot of work, with many teachers spending 11 hours or more on preparation. However, I can’t imagine the feeling whenever they present the lesson that they spent so long working on.
Teachers are often underappreciated and overlooked by both students and administrators, considering all they do. They carry out all the lessons and are probably the most vital part to the education process. Being a part of the process carries many responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is putting together a creative lesson to keep the attention of high schoolers.
Anybody can put together a lesson straight out of a book. That is in fact what some teachers used to do, up until recently. For example, a teacher might just assign students to read a section of the book and answer the pre-written questions it already gives them. However, to be a teacher at FHS, they have to use more of what they consider “project-based learning.”
Project-based learning is using group or individual projects to create lessons taught in class. Although they might use the book for the lesson section, projects are used to supplement or reinforce the material taught. The increasing use of technology in the classroom enables students to research topics without using books and allows them to accomplish interesting projects.
I look at how teaching is done these days and wonder how it will change by the time I’m teaching in five or six years. The government is trying to make the same material be taught in each class and in each school. This would allow an easier transition for a student that moves to a different school. However, what most people don’t realize is that the standardization would limit the creativity of teachers because they have to teach a certain number of topics; therefore, future teachers, such as myself, could find their creativity limited.
Technology also brings changes to teaching. The use of computers can make things more interactive for students and help them to better understand the material. However, technology could be a distraction to certain students; therefore, it must be used with caution.
I look forward to the many years I will spend as a teacher and to see what I can do to make the subject more interesting and enjoyable. In the end, the best way students learn is through activities and projects that they can remember for years down the road. Teachers are some of the most influential people you will ever have. If you ask most adults, they can remember a teacher that had a great impact on their lives. Perhaps this is why I wish to become a teacher. Making an impact on the world around you has to be a rewarding and gratifying experience.