According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, a teacher is “one that teaches; especially: one whose occupation is to instruct.” But a teacher is much more than that, a teacher is a counselor, nurse, politician, tutor, disciplinarian, and more. Teachers have very diverse roles; teaching is only a part of their responsibilities.

A teacher encourages students to learn, provides creative lesson plans, and can even serve as a role model for students. “Constructive feedback from teacher, including deserved praise and specific suggestions, helps students learn as well as develop positive self-esteem.” A teacher must also serve as a disciplinarian. In these days and times teaching can be a dangerous profession since kids can bring weapons such as knives and guns to school. A teacher may be forced to take disciplinary action.

A teacher does more than just teach, a teacher also serves as a counselor. “The relationship between the teacher and the student has a major influence on the students’ behaviors.” A teacher talks and counsels children as part of his or her job. Teachers try to recognize children’s unique issues and insecurities. Teachers can offer options to help children with various issues and attempt to encourage success. Teachers not only need to deal with their students but the students’ parents as well.

In dealing with parents, a teacher may serve as a politician. “Toxic parents can do a lot of serious damage to the confidence and well being of teachers. With all the duties and responsibilities teachers have on their plates what they don't need is the added stress and pressure exerted by toxic parents…” Teachers often have to deal with parents and must deal with each situation in the appropriate manner. Teachers, like politicians, have to negotiate and compromise with others in order to establish solutions to problems. Unfortunately, dealing with parents can often be more difficult than dealing with students. Not only do teachers act as politicians, but they may also take on the role of a health professional.

In addition to teaching, a teacher also serves as a nurse. A teacher may “dispense medication, give shots of adrenaline and help children use inhalers. So far the district has stopped short of asking non medical personnel to administer insulin.” Teachers are forced to take on the role as nurses due to the economy’s worsening state where school have less and less money and resources to pay for school nurses. Teachers have a tough time acting as nurses because they are often not well-trained in the medical field.

In conclusion, a teacher must do many things outside of teaching such as being a disciplinarian, a counselor, a politician, and a nurse. These many roles make teachers’ jobs difficult. Teachers work very hard on their difficult jobs to earn a mediocre pay. Good teachers are very inspirational to their students.

You need to tell me where you used the sources below. The definition essay is in chicago 2 (name year, page). GRADE 65/100

Dietel, Ronald, Ed. D. Get Smart: Nine Ways to Help your Child Succeed in School Jossey-Bass, 2006.

    Pp 91/95.

 

Responsibilities Of The Classroom Teacher.

    http://www.fasgot.com/document/2008_9_23_minutes_link_teacher_responsibilities.doc.

 

Associated Press. Teachers Taking on Role of Nurse As Schools Get Squeezed. Daily Herald; Arlington

    Heights, Ill, 2008. http://allnurses.com/nursing-news/teachers-taking-role-357476.html.

 

Kelly, Melissa. Top 10 Tips for Classroom Discipline and Management. About.com.

    http://712educators.about.com/od/discipline/tp/disciplinetips.htm.

 

Moore, Mike. 14 Steps to Teacher Assertiveness How to cope with difficult parents, principals and staff

    members. http://teachers.net/gazette/MAY03/moore.html.