INTRODUCTION

Teaching is a social process which is an integral part of the process of education. It is

considered as an art of providing assistance to another in order to make learning happen by
imparting knowledge and information, creating appropriate conditions and engaging
learners in productive activities. In other sense, it is a process in which one person makes
something known to another person. Traditionally, teaching acts for imparting instruction
and knowledge to the learners in a teacher-centered classroom setting where students are
considered to be passive listeners. On the contrary to traditional concept of teaching, in the
modern view, teaching facilitates and provides situations to make students learn and acquire
the desired knowledge, skills and attitude in more constructive ways with active
participation of learners.

Teaching is an occupational field in education that is directly responsible for the

formation of young minds and hearts. This means a teacher ends up playing several roles
simultaneously. A teacher has to have a personality that sincerely welcomes a learner into
the journey of lifelong learning. A teacher should have the mastery of her subject matter
and pedagogy in order to engineer an environment that cultivates an authentic exchange of
ideas and development of critical thinking. A teacher should promote a culture of open
communication and collaboration so they can interact with others successfully. Since this
occupation deals with the youth, the teacher is often regarded as a type of second parent in
the formation of the learner's values and principles.

Most cultures hold teachers in high esteem for they are masters of their chosen
discipline and are able to fulfill so many roles at the same time. The growing trend in
pedagogy is the promotion of lifelong learning wherein the teacher is no longer considered
as the ultimate authority of the subject but a facilitator who guides and empowers the
learner to seek answers and solutions on his or her own. We are at a unique point in human
history where the youth are being prepared for a future that is still undefined. It is the role
of those in the teaching profession to equip learners to live in the world right now and to
prepare learners for a future with never-before faced problems that will require creative
solutions.

We all know what it is teaching profession. But still, we need to be aware of more
significance of the Teaching Profession and also one can earn a better pay scale. They
encourage students to be dedicated to their studies and passionate about their careers.

According to James Eison (1990), “Teaching in intellectually, emotionally and

physically demanding; teaching excellence also requires an inordinate investment of time.”
Being a goal directed social activity; it tends to be influenced by political system, social and
philosophical notions, values and culture of the nation in which it exists. Various definitions
are given in the following manner, for clear conceptual understanding of teaching:

According to B. O. Smith, “Teaching is a system of actions intended to produce learning.

According to Yoakum & Simpson (1934) said, “Teaching is the means whereby the
experienced members of the group guide the immature and infant members in their
adjustment of life.

In the words of Morrison, “Teaching is an intimate contact between a more mature

personality and a less mature one which is designed to further the education of the latter.

According to Thomas Green said, “Teaching is the task of teacher which is performed for the
development of a child.
According to Ryburn, “Teaching is a relationship which keeps the Clarke defined teaching as
“activities that are designed and performed to produce change in students’ behavior.

In the views of John Brubacher, “Teaching is an arrangement and manipulation of a situation

in which there are gaps and obstructions which an individual will seek to overcome and from
which he will learn in the course of doing so.

According to Flander’sdefinition says, Teaching is an interaction process. Interaction means

participation of both teacher and student and both get benefit by this. The interaction takes
place for achieving desired objectives.
According to Abbatt and McMahon said, “Teaching is helping other people to learn.”

TEACHING AS A PROFESSION

Teaching is a profession made to make students have more potential and learn
important lessons even about life like respect, sharing, ethical values, and cultures.

Teachers are the ones who teach students to live life with discipline and high value
and also play a crucial role in shaping the minds and lives of students, helping them acquire
knowledge, skills, and values necessary for personal and intellectual growth.
 Teaching is a rewarding and challenging profession that requires a strong
commitment to the well-being and success of students. It also has excellent communication
skills, patience, adaptability, empathy, and a passion for inspiring and empowering their
students.

CHARACTERISTICS OF TEACHING
1. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
The quality of teaching and learning is determined not just by the quality of teachers, but
also by the environment in which teachers work. Together with the intrinsic benefits of
teaching, working conditions, which are shaped by factors such as salary range,
compensation, bonuses and rewards; working time, staff-student ratios, good school
leadership, infrastructure and facilities, influence teachers’ satisfaction with the workplace,
their tasks and the nature of the job as well as teachers’ ability to do their work well and
engage with students. Working conditions also play a crucial role for attracting teachers and
for retaining effective teachers. In various countries

2. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Continuous Professional Development allows teachers to learn new skills and techniques.
Teachers who take part in professional development courses often learn how to improve
their teaching methods and techniques. They also comprehend how to create lesson plans
and other resources that can be used in the classroom. This helps them improve ability as
educator and helps them better teach them

3. PROFESIONAL STANDARDS AND ETHICS

Professional Standards therefore refer to a minimum set of knowledge, skills, values,
attitude, conduct, rights, privileges and obligations expected of a professional.
Teacher should respect child's right and dignity without any Prejudice to sex, race color,
creed or religion. The teachers should also ensure confidentiality of personal information
and other records of the learner disclosed to him. It is against the ethics of the teaching
profession to sexually harass a learner.

4. FORMAL EDUCATION AND LEARNING

Formal education refers to the systematic studies organized by the educational system,
which begins in elementary school and continues through secondary school, college, and
universities. It is delivered in a highly professional environment on school grounds by well-
trained and experienced teachers. Learning occurs in a structured and organized
environment like training/education institution or on the job. It is explicitly designed as
education in terms of time, objectives and resources. It is an intentional learning from the
learner's perspective, leading to degrees and certifications

5. ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

A teacher is required to follow all sets of rules and regulations and is required to take
accountability for her actions, especially in the current education system scenario. The
teacher’s accountability holds great importance because they hold a great deal of
significance in the overall development of the students. For a teacher, their accountability
shows their dedication to their job. The teacher is responsible for their student’s success or
failure. As a teacher, it is their duty to make sure that the students are learning properly. She
is in charge of the students and any action that they do, the teacher is held responsible for
that. Such as to be excellent not just in the subject that they teach but also should be able to
understand the learning requirements of the students.
• They must have the potential to take care of the progress of the student as per their
ability.
• To be excellent not just in the subject that they teach but also should be able to
understand the learning requirements of the students.

CONCLUSION
After thorough understanding of the concept of teaching and its importance, it can
be concluded that teaching is a social process which requires mutual interaction and
communication of ideas in order to impart knowledge, develop attitude and enrich the skills
among students. This interactive process aims at production of learning which is done
between teacher and students in a social setting. This systematically planned activity gives
benefit to those who are directly or indirectly related to it like teachers, students and
society. In addition, it can be said that teaching, being a dynamic process, is directed
towards the goals of education, which revolves around the over-all development of the
child, and these goals are determined according to the needs and requirements of the
society. It helps in individual as well as social growth and development.
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