Chapter 15 Reflection

Teaching is a profession. Teachers are a part of an occupational group with similar goal, responsibilities and concerns. Although it requires a shorter period of training and not especially competitive, it has an intellectual and philosophical foundation.
Teachers are not independent agents who need to find certain markets for their services. They are hired with a fixed salary and are protected by tenure laws. Teaching as a profession is proven by the nature of their work. Society places their trust and confidence on teachers to educate their children. Society expects teachers to fill their children with the knowledge they need in order to succeed in the future. Teachers in turn, go above and beyond to pass on that knowledge to their students to help become successful in education, and at times they purchase necessary supplies when the school’s budget is limited.
The chapter explains that new teachers must be “learning professionals”. Professionals committed to growth as a person and as a professional. Being a part of the community of teachers and learning together as such is extremely important. The key is to give knowledge and to take knowledge. This will enable new teachers as well as veteran teachers to “survive” professionally.