Why do we teach?

We teach because we understand the importance of carrying on our histories and traditions, and also because we want to help people reach their potential. By helping others learn the life skills they need to, we as teachers are able to help spark change in this world. You may be the one to inspire someone to be a better person, or aim for higher goals, or to just help them to learn the social skills they need to survive in this world. We teach because we find it to be important and love to help others to thrive.

There can be a huge difference between "work" and "learning." Work can be done anytime and it can be mandated: homework assignments, book reports, group projects are all a part of this. The difference between work and learning is that learning cannot necessarily be forced. Of course by going to school you are going to learn something from a book, but learning goes beyond the textbooks and internet and can be found in many ways. Students learn to get along with each other by being together, and the interactions they have with their teacher and other classmates will teach them so many values and life lessons that cannot be taught through traditional "work."

A good teacher has to understand that principle. They must be willing to compromise and adjust to their students. That does not necessarily mean lowering their standards, but you have to be accommodating to different learning styles and situations that might occur, however unexpectedly. Good teaching involves being knowledgeable, commanding, approachable and caring towards their students and co-workers (and parents!). Their excitement and passion must be evident to those around them, otherwise their students will not be excited to learn, either. Good teaching cannot necessarily be taught, but hopefully through experience it will come more naturally through understanding of the students and what the job entails.