The Benefits and Challenges of Teaching in Schools: A Comprehensive Guide

Teaching in schools is a rewarding career choice. You get to learn with your students and see their curiosity in action. Interacting with young minds helps you grow and learn from their diverse experiences, all while earning a competitive salary.

Teaching feels like being part of a loving family. It's not a typical job because each day brings new challenges and chances to improve. Students' love and admiration motivate you to develop new techniques and ideas to help them succeed.

Every day, going to the classroom and seeing your students is refreshing. Their love and excitement give you a unique feeling. Plus, the demand for qualified teachers is increasing, according to World Bank statistics, so it's a promising field for the future. You get all of these benefits while also earning as much money as in other career choices.

• According to the World Bank, there are approximately 85 million teachers worldwide, of whom 9.4 million teach in pre-primary, 30.3 million in primary, 18.1 in lower secondary, 14.0 in upper secondary, and 12.5 in tertiary education.

• Elementary and secondary schools will supplement the demand for 68.8 million teachers by 2030: 20 million to enhance significant exposure to these educational levels and 49 million to fill the gap left by those who retire from teaching.

Related Resource:  How to Apply for Teaching Jobs in an International School
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Teaching is a great job! You have fun with kids, learn about yourself, and get a good salary. There are lots of other benefits, too. so let's explore them.

1. Job Security

Teaching is a stable profession. There is always a need for qualified teachers, and you can feel confident that you will have a job for many years to come. Once you've established a reputation for yourself as a teacher, you can predict a secure job with a competitive salary.

2. Satisfaction from Impact on Students' Lives

As a teacher teaching in school, you can change your students' lives. Throughout the school year, you witness their growth and learning, and it's fulfilling to know you played a part in their success. By shaping young minds and guiding children who are still learning, you have the power to influence their lives positively.

3. Opportunities for Growth and Development

School teachers work with different students who have different learning needs. This helps teachers come up with new ways to teach each student, which helps them grow personally and professionally. You can easily upskill yourself through right teacher training or professional development courses to advance to leadership positions like department heads, coaches, administrators, or principals.

4. Enhanced Creativity

Teaching in schools provides abundant opportunities for creativity and innovation, from developing new lesson plans to finding creative solutions for classroom engagement. As a teacher, you have the freedom to be creative and innovative, making teaching a fulfilling and enjoyable profession.

5. Learning of New Perspectives

Teaching in schools is an opportunity to learn new perspectives from children. Children's innocent and innovative questions can change a teacher's perception of life and provide new insights and viewpoints.

6. Nostalgia and Reliving Childhood Memories

Teaching in schools evokes a sense of nostalgia among teachers. It reminds them of their own experiences as students and creates a strong emotional connection to the school and cherished childhood memories. This connection, in turn, fosters a positive mindset.

7. Life-long Learning:

Teaching in school benefits teachers as they learn and grow with their students. Each interaction with a student increases the teacher's knowledge of the subject, the students, and their own capabilities.

Teaching is a gratifying profession, but like all great things, it comes with its own set of challenges. However, we know there is always a solution to every problem, and the same applies here. So, while there may be challenges in teaching in schools, there is no need to worry. We have the right tips and solutions to overcome them and lead a fulfilling teaching life.

1. Managing Students’ Behaviour

Managing large class sizes of 40–50 students is challenging, especially when it comes to handling students' actions, reactions, and emotions. Undesired student behaviour can disrupt the class and require constant reminders to maintain order.

Solution:

1. Divide the students into smaller units or pairs and use cooperative learning groups to encourage collaboration
2. Establish a points system to reward positive behaviour
3. Set clear expectations and consistently provide constructive feedback on disruptive actions
4. Allocate time for one-on-one interactions and peer learning to engage students individually and promote self-regulation
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2. Paperwork and Physical Demands

Teachers teaching in school have a lot of administrative tasks, such as attendance, reports, observations, record-keeping, class management, event planning, and assemblies. This workload adds to their teaching responsibilities and requires them to handle extensive paperwork while standing for long hours. 

Solution:

1. Use online tools like ChatGPT, Canva, and Excel, among other tools, for managing paperwork and student records.
2. Try alternating between sitting and standing whenever you can.
3. Use short breaks, stretching, and exercise sessions to reduce the effects of prolonged standing.

Related Resource:  Check out this fantastic blog on “How ChatGPT is a Teachers’ Personal Assistant” to learn how ChatGPT can quickly reduce the time spent on your workload and paperwork.

3. Overwork and Underpay

Teaching in school have an excessive workload that extends beyond regular hours, affecting their well-being, and many teachers are underpaid despite their vital role. This financial strain causes stress, demotivation, and the inclination towards a second job or a career switch.

Solution:

1. Focus on upskilling yourself by learning in-demand skills and pedagogical knowledge. This will help you manage your work better.
2. Opt for on-the-job training opportunities to enhance your value.
3. Attend job training workshops or conferences to learn new teaching methods, technologies, and resources.

Related Resource: Schools offer competitive salaries to tech-savvy teachers with new-age skills. These teachers work smarter with technology and reduce their workload. You can also easily gain these skills and become tech-savvy in 10 months with Suraasa's PgCTL Diploma. Talk to your mentor now and gain more insights.

4. Blending Traditional and Modern Education

It is challenging for teachers to blend old and new teaching methods. They have to strike a balance between traditional ways and modern technologies. Teachers teaching in school must use both - traditional teaching approaches and digital tools based on how each student learns, stay updated with new technology, and adapt it to changing times and needs

Solution:

1. Design lesson plans digitally using widely available free and paid tools.
2. Thoughtfully select digital tools that align with curriculum objectives, promote student understanding, and are easily accessible to all.
3. Stay updated with new teaching methods and technologies through continuous professional development.
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5. Engaging Time-Strapped Parents

Parents missing school events can lead to a lack of awareness about their child's progress and strained relationships. Parents may seek information when encountering teachers outside the school, but teachers may lack context, and recognising parents can also be challenging for teachers teaching in school, causing awkward interactions.

Some parents could get over-involved and fail to recognise the boundaries of a teacher’s professional life. Communication attempts at odd hours are a key example of the same.

Solution:

1. Establish a parent-teacher group on WhatsApp or an email list for open communication.
2. Share regular updates on student progress and highlight areas needing extra support.
3. Share clear expectations and boundaries with parents about your availability and scope of support.
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6. Lack of Infrastructure and Classroom

Teaching in school with inadequate classrooms and school buildings impact education quality, hindering the learning process. Students and teachers may face substandard conditions, like messy classrooms, which harm academic performance and well-being. It's concerning that even some large schools lack quality classrooms for their students.

Solution:

1. Implement a "best classroom challenge where teams keep their respective classrooms clean and tidy, promoting teamwork and responsibility for a cleaner environment.
2. Maximise natural light and keep windows clear for better concentration and mood.
3. Rearrange furniture or use outdoor spaces for learning
4. Apply for grants or fundraising opportunities to improve school facilities
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7. Meeting Diverse Student Needs

It's hard for teachers teaching schools to facilitate every student in the classroom because they mostly end up using an 'aim for the middle’ approach, where they focus more on students who perform average. This can make high-performing students feel bored, struggling students feel frustrated, and special needs students feel left behind. 

Solution:

1. Use differentiated learning strategies like flexible grouping or project-based learning.
2. Tailor teaching methods to address the diverse learning needs of students.
3. Offer individualised support and assistance to students with special needs.
4. Provide extra time on assignments for students who require it.

Related Resource: Free masterclass on "Maximising Student Learning with Differentiation”. Customise assignments, engage students and meet their individual needs. Sign up now to watch for free!

8. Managing Children with Special Needs

Teachers teaching in schools may not get resources and support to accommodate students with special needs. Lack of either of these can lead to difficulties in understanding and managing the students’ Individualised Education Programs (IEPs). It also makes teachers feel unprepared and stressed when trying to meet the needs of exceptional learners, potentially causing job dissatisfaction.

Solution:

1. Look for training programs and opportunities to enhance your skills catering to students with special needs and understanding IEPs
2. Work with other teachers and special educators teaching in school  to exchange resources and strategies.
3. Regularly check with the child's parents and doctors to stay updated on their progress and requirements.
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As we approach the final decision after exploring the advantages, challenges, and strategies of this profession, I know teaching in school  isn't an easy choice and shouldn't be made hastily. It's important to consider that this profession is dynamic and far from the typical 9-to-5 routine.

Not only will you receive competitive salaries, but you'll also have the chance to grow personally and professionally in this role. Each class provides valuable opportunities to learn about child psychology, effective behaviour management, improved communication skills, leadership qualities, and more.

I hope the information we've discussed so far has helped you make an informed decision that will lead to a fulfilling future.

To simplify and enhance your teaching experience, all you need are the latest teaching methods and pedagogical skills. Overcoming these challenges becomes easier with our PgCTL course. This comprehensive programme can be completed within 10 months and equips you with high-demand skills for the new era of education, making your job more rewarding and effortless. Take a moment to book a session with our experts and gain insights.

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As you make your final decision, I encourage you to reflect on your passion for teaching in schools and the impact you can have on your life as well as those of your future students. Remember that teaching is not just a profession but a calling that requires dedication, patience, and a genuine love for helping others.

So, take a deep breath, trust in your instincts, and know that whichever path you choose, you have the potential to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the world. Best of luck on your journey ahead!

Q1. Is B.Ed ompulsory for teaching in school?

In India, if you want to teach in government schools, you need to have a B.Ed. or a similar degree. Nowadays, schools prefer teachers who have a teaching degree that demonstrates their proficiency in modern and high-demand skills. It is strongly advised that you pursue a degree that showcases your expertise in pedagogy and teaching methods. If you still want more information, you can watch a free master class on bursting the myths around B.Ed.

Q2. What are some career advancement opportunities for teachers?

Teachers have various opportunities for career advancement, such as leadership roles, mentorship programs, professional organisations, and graduate education.

Q3. Can you provide examples of teachers who have benefited from career advancement opportunities?

Teachers have achieved career growth and success through various career advancement opportunities. You can explore the remarkable success stories of teachers on Suraasa.

Q4.  How can teachers navigate school systems and policies that impact teaching?

Teachers teaching in schools can navigate various school systems and policies that impact teaching by staying up-to-date with current policies and regulations, participating in professional development programs, and advocating for policies that benefit students.