CAREER IN TEACHING Part - II

A challenging area in the field of teaching is that of dealing with children having physical and mental handicap and learning disabilities. The work is emotionally and physically demanding which needs a lot of patience.

? Job Prospects

You could work in the following institutes.
? Play schools
? Nursery schools
? Primary/elementary schools
? Secondary schools
? Colleges
? Universities
? Educational research institutes
? Special schools
? Self employment by starting institutes/tutorials

Nursery / Primary Schools:
Nursery and primary school teachers have a huge responsibility in the sense that, it is what children learn and experience during their early years that shape their views and affect success or failures later in their lives. Thus teachers play a vital role in the social and intellectual development of children. They introduce children to numbers, language, science; social studies as well social interactions. Here games, music, artwork, computers and other tools are used to teach basic skills. While kindergarten teachers deal with children of 3 to 5 years, primary school teachers deal with those of 6 to 12 years.
Secondary Schools:
The secondary school teachers instruct students from 8th to 12th standard. Usually they deal with one particular subject in which they specials. Good base in the subject is a must.
Colleges/Universities:
In universities or colleges in India as well as abroad there are lecturers and professors who specialize in a particular field. They give lectures, guidance and help the students in their academic and research work. Those who have organizing ability have a further scope to become a principal, vice-chancellor in the management level.
Special schools:
A challenging area in the field of teaching is that of dealing with children having physical and mental handicap and learning disabilities. The work is emotionally and physically demanding which needs a lot of patience. They have to work in close association with parents and medical professionals like speech therapist, physiotherapist etc. It is different from the normal teaching norms, as each child needs special care depending on his/her disability.

? Study Route
Pre-primary
Most polytechnics and vocational training centers conduct training for pre-school teachers. The preferred eligibility is Class XII with 50% aggregate. Personal attributes are, however, more important. There is Montessori teacher training schools, which are privately owned in some large cities.
Primary teacher training
Teachers with diplomas in education / Bachelors in education teach the primary classes. Graduates of Home Science also serve as primary teachers.
Secondary and senior secondary teachers
Teachers having B Ed Degrees after graduation are called Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs), after post graduation they are called postgraduate trained teachers (PGTs). This training is imparted in teacher training colleges.
Some universities offer these courses through correspondence for in-service teachers to get trained. There are contact programmes for giving practical orientation.
In 1996, the National council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has regulated the training of teachers. Correspondence/distance education courses are meant for teachers who are currently working.
Lecturers
College lecturers require a good academic record with at least 55% or an equivalent grade at master's degree level in the relevant subject from an Indian University or a foreign University. The eligibility test for lecturers, National Eligibility Test (NET), is conducted by UGC, CSIR or similar tests accredited by the UGC. The State level test SLET is for appointments within the state. The promotion is based on performance, duration of service, and research publications.
Leading academics go on to complete Ph D theses. A doctorate (Ph D) is fast becoming a must-have for teaching postgraduate classes in leading universities.
After Class X/XII (any subject)
Nursery teachers Training of 1-2 years at Polytechnics/ Vocational Training Institutes.

After Class XII (any subject)
Early childhood education / preschool education courses offered by several universities.
After Graduation (any school subject), Bachelors in Education (B Ed) for TGT Grade Jobs
After Post graduation (any school subject), B Ed for PGT grade jobs.
After Post graduation / M.Phil take the NET/ SLET Exam for College Teaching.
Teachers may opt for writing text books/ conducting online / distance education classes.
Places to Study

B.Ed. / M.Ed. courses are offered by the following universities to graduates and postgraduates in any subject
? Nagaland University, Lumami, Kohima 797001
? North Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022
? Arunachal University, PO Doimukh, Itanagar 791111
? Agartala College, Tripura West Agartala, 799004
? Manipur University, Imphal 795003
? Assam University, Silchar 788001
? Dibrugarh University, PO Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh 786004
? Guwahati University, PO Gopinath Bordoloi Nagar, Guwahati 781014
? University of Burdwan, PO Rajbati, Dist. Burdwan 713104
? University of Calcutta, Senate House, 87 College Street, Calcutta 700073
? Vidyasagar University, Midnapore 721102
? Rabindra Bharati Univ., Calcutta 700050
? Jadavpur University, Calcutta 700032
? Univ. of North Bengal, Darjeeling 734430
? Visva Bharati, PO Shantiniketan 731235
? Lalit Narayan Mithila University, Darbhanga 846008
? Jai Prakash University, Chapra 841301
? Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur 812007
? Ranchi University, Ranchi 834001
? Patna University, Patna 800005
? BR Ambedkar University, Muzaffarpur 842001
? Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur 760007, dist. Ganjam
? Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla 768017, Sambalpur
? Utkal University, Po Vani Vihar, Bhubaneshwar 751004
Colleges Overseas
USA
? Alabama State University
? California State University, Long Beach
? Mills College
? American University, DC
? University of Delaware
? Florida State University
? Drake University, IA
UK
? University of Delaware
? Florida State University
? University of Kentucky
? International House Newcastle
? Elite College
? Leeds Metropolitan University School of Languages
? The Language Project School, Bristol
Australia
? University of Wollongong
? Macquarie University
? University of New South Wales
? University of Canberra
Few useful links:
http://www.shiksha.com/
http://professionals.shiksha.com/getCategoryPage/colleges/professionals/India/All/Education-Teaching

The above article is written by Shiksha. Shiksha.com. Shiksha.com is an education portal that connects education seeker with education provider. Shiksha.com has wide information over teacher training courses , students community and courses. Its education forums enable its users to seek opinion of students, alumni and faculty of colleges and schools through College Groups and School Groups.