Top Responsibilities of a Teacher

As teachers, we all have different kinds of responsibilities and we know that our students expect a lot from us. Making sure that we know our responsibilities can help us perform better our duty. Several principles of teaching can guide us in knowing what our responsibilities are. This list is in no means exhaustive of the principles which are applicable to the responsibility, but provides a guide of what principles can apply in different types of responsibilities, of which these responsibilities may overlap with one another.

Here are my top 10 responsibilities as a teacher:

1. Making sure that the students learn and master the subject.

Of course, being a teacher means we have to make our students learn what we teach them. The root word of teacher which is "teach" comes from the Germanic word "tæcan" which means to "show or point out". This means we have to show our students the way and point out the important concepts which they must master.

The theory of cognitive development by Piaget tells us that we can do this by making sure the lessons are suited for the ability of the students because no matter how hard we try to teach them, if they are not yet ready for it, then they cannot learn anything. Thorndike's Law of Readiness also supports this notion.

2. Facilitating activities that will help students attain instructional objectives, guiding students to think critically and independently, motivating students to be responsible of their own learning.

This responsibility is somewhat connected to the first, but here there is an intrinsic factor which is the motivation of the students in learning.

Constructivism tells us that students learn when they are involve in the process. Students must think for themselves on how they can achieve the learning objectives so as teachers, the best we can do is to guide them and provide them with the necessary tools and facilities needed for enhancing their learning experience.

3. Checking/Monitoring every student's learning progress

4. Making the students enjoy going to class

One must be unpredictable in order to make students anticipate every class session. There must be a variation of lessons and teaching methods and strategies so students do not get bored.

The psychological environment must also be filled with respect, open-mindedness, patience and other positive values to be shared not only by the students but of the teacher as well.

5. Teaching not only knowledge, but values as well

6. Enhancing each student's creativity and talents

7. Treating the teaching profession as a noble mission and loving it.

What are your own list of the responsibilities of a teacher?