Teacher Appraisal and Registration

Teachers play a vital role in the teaching and learning process. These public servants help to mold the future generation into becoming productive citizens. In order to ensure that is possible, the teacher needs to take responsibility in ensuring that he or she is registered. Though qualified and have some level of experience in my field of studies, why do I need to ensure that I am a registered teacher? According to the Education Act 1980, the education regulations 45 stipulates that “every person who wishes to be registered as a teacher shall apply to the Commission for such registration.” This means that in order to secure employment, registration is crucial. According to The Teaching Council 2015, the registration of teachers is important because it is a mark of the professional recognition of a teacher. It ensures that standards of entry to the profession are maintained. A few benefits that a teacher receives while being registered are: access to study leave, access to study loans, eligibility for employment and eligibility for permanent appointment. In being registered the teacher can take advantage of opportunities for self-actualization.

Two teaching standards on the beginning teachers’ appraisal that will most likely be the most challenging to get maximum marks are: (3.6) knows of gender differences and how these affect learning and (3.8) Assures and maintains a safe physical and psychological environment. The teaching standard 3.6 which stipulates knows of gender differences and how these affect learning will likely pose a challenge in getting maximum marks because I am accustomed to the same sex school environment. As a beginning teacher I have experience in teaching at an all girls’ schools and I used to attend Bishop Gibson High School which is also an all girls’ institution. I would find this standard challenging to get maximum marks because girls learn differently from boys. This means that I would need more time for observation in order to be fully prepared to plan lessons that would fully cater to the needs of the males. As a beginning teacher I would have to use different classroom management strategies in order to manage a classroom solely with boys and or both sexes. This standard would require me to leave my comfort zone in order to ensure that students benefit from quality education because catering to the needs of my students is my top priority.

The standard 3.8 in the teacher appraisal stipulates assures and maintains a safe physical and psychological environment. As a teacher working with a school that is located in the volatile area/inner city area, this standard will pose a challenge in my ability to obtain the full marks on the grading scheme. This is so because there is the presence of a hostile environment. As the teacher I would be operating in fear, and this situation would hinder my ability to create a safe physical and psychological environment. Students attending these schools will need counselling sessions and teachers would have to collaborate in order to design an intervention plan to create a safe school environment. This plan cannot be executed at first time instance while I am being appraised and assessed, hence I would lose marks in this standard. As a teacher it is difficult to establish disciplinary measures when students have relations with persons of interest. The violent culture has to be eradicated using teamwork in order that I will be able to meet the requirement stipulated by the standard.