Standards For Teachers

Teaching in the twenty-first century demands teachers to deliver in the classroom such a way that the needs of students from diversified backgrounds. Day by day, with the rapidly changing society the needs of students are also changing.  Looking at the current demanding situation of teaching and learning, educationists have devised some standards for teachers. It is expected that with the devised standards teachers may be able to deliver in classrooms while addressing the needs of the students.

First of all, the teachers need to have an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter in the subject areas which they teach. It is important for the teachers to facilitate the students in classrooms so that the students will get benefits from the strong content of the subject area that the teachers have. For that purpose, the teachers need to be in touch with the articles, reference books, research journals, encyclopedias,s and so on. Secondly, the teachers in order to be able to address the needs of the students in classrooms need to have an understanding of human growth and development. The study of educational psychology will equip the teachers with the ways how to effectively teach the students according to their age levels. The third standard for teachers is knowledge about the teaching methods and strategies. Teachers need to be professionally developed by having the knowledge of designing learning activities for students. Forth, the teachers need to be skillful in assessing students’ learning. 

The tools and techniques for assessment in classrooms make a difference in teaching and learning. The teachers are expected to be able to interpret the data regarding students’ academic achievements. Fifth, the teachers need to be an effective communicator to effectively teach in classrooms. The teacher should have command over the target language or medium of instruction of the subject area. The sixth standard of teachers is the understanding of the learning environment which means the teachers need to analyze the situation in the schools and classroom. The available resources and needs of society play an important role in teaching and learning. 

The teachers need to be aware of the contextual realities. Seventh, the teachers need to work in a collaborative environment in the form of learning communities. They should share their experiences and challenges with each other. There is a professional code of conduct that teachers need to follow. The teachers should respect each other, support each other, argue, and challenge each other in an adequate manner. The last and important standard for teachers in computer literacy, which has become the need of the twenty-first century that teachers need to be skillful in computer applications in education. Information and communication through technology which is termed is ICT integration in education is the foremost standard for teachers.

Having the mentioned standards, it is expected that teachers will deliver in classrooms so that the needs of the students will be met. The demands of teaching in twenty first century will be fulfilled by the teachers in schools. Otherwise, in twenty first century, the teaching in classrooms will be of the twentieth century to the students of twenty first century resulting in zero benefits for the students.