The Duties and Objectives of Elementary School Teachers

The Duties and Objectives of Elementary School Teachers The role of a teacher is to use classroom instruction and presentations to help students learn and apply concepts such as math, English, and science. Teachers prepare lessons, grade papers, manage the classroom, meet with parents, and work closely with school staff. However, being a teacher is much more than just executing lesson plans. In todays world, teaching is a multifaceted profession; teachers often carry the roles of a surrogate parent, class disciplinarian, mentor, counselor, bookkeeper, role model, planner, and many other related roles. Elementary school teachers play an important role in the development of students. What students learn in their formative years can shape the men and women they will become. The Third Parent The role of a teacher is clearly more than just planning and executing lesson plans. In some senses, because the teacher spends so much time with the students, she or he can become the students third parent. Teachers can be a constant positive role model for their students, particularly for children that lack a solid family foundation. Of course, the teachers role as a semi-parent depends to a large extent on the age and grade of the children they teach. The kindergarten teacher develops basic skills in her children that are necessary to excel and progress to the next year, while a teacher in the intermediate grades teaches specific information about a particular subject. A Teachers Role in Todays World Teachers roles today are considerably different than they used to be. Teachers were once issued a specific curriculum to teach, and a set of instructions on how to teach it, using the same methods for all students. In todays world, a teachers role is quite multifaceted. Their job is to counsel students, help them learn how to use their knowledge and integrate it into their lives so they will become valuable members of society. Teachers are encouraged to adapt learning methods to each individual students learning, to challenge and inspire them to learn. The modern teaching profession is also about taking on broader roles to promote education. Teachers often: Work with politicians, colleagues, and community members to set clear and attainable standards for their studentsParticipate in the decision making that helps to deal with the problems that affect the students learningMentor new teachers to prepare them to teach the youth of today Teacher Duties Duties of elementary school teachers include: Planning lessons that teach specific subjects, such as math, science, and EnglishTeaching lessons in whole-group or small-group configurationsAssessing and evaluating students abilities, strengths, and weaknessesPreparing students for standardized testsCommunicating student progress to parentsDeveloping and enforcing classroom rulesSupervising children in extracurricular activities (such as lunch, playground)Conducting in-class activitiesPlanning field trips Teacher Standards In the United States, standards for teachers are set by state and federal law and supported by state and national teacher organizations such as the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers. In addition to regularly scheduled parent-teacher conferences and open-houses, many schools have parent-teacher organizations, in which parents have an opportunity to discuss their concerns about the roles of teachers in schools today. Resources and Further Reading â€Å"Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers.† Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Department of Labor, 8 May 2019.Ryan, Mary, and Terri Bourke. â€Å"The Teacher as Reflexive Professional: Making Visible the Excluded Discourse in Teacher Standards.† Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, vol. 34, no. 3, 24 Aug. 2012, pp. 411-423.Taack Lanier, Judith. â€Å"Redefining the Role of the Teacher: Its a Multifaceted Profession.† Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 1 July 1997.