A Reflective Classroom Teacher 5

Teaching is so much more than an occupation. It cannot be defined in the traditional sense. How does one describe what teachers accomplish in thousands of classrooms each day. To say that our work is just teaching is too simplistic and lacks the depth and passion needed to describe this service, that we as teachers, perform each day. That is what it is, make no mistake about it, we as teachers offer a service of the highest order. To be an effective teacher, one must invest so much more than merely time and knowledge. That might be the standard used to measure success in many professions but it has never been the rubric utilized in the teaching profession. The task is too difficult, too complex and too demanding to try and limit its' definition. There will be days when we will teach more in hallway than we will in the classroom. Our actions and behaviors as teachers can reinforce beliefs and behaviors and we can even influence attitudes with our silence. How can one measure these indirect instructional efforts?
We do not wish to inflate the importance of what teachers do but we do want to dispel the notion that, " those that can't do, teach." Nothing could be further from the truth. To teach effectively, one must attempt to understand the human condition and that is not a task for the ordinary. That is a task reserved for individuals who understand and appreciate that the teaching profession is one or service and not performance. As a group we acknowledge that what we do is beneficial not only to the individuals we serve but also, to the society in general.