Teachers have an important job to do. They are entrusted to educate the future generation in a way that nurtures their development and provides them with the tools and resources they need to be successful in life.
However, helping students to thrive academically and personally to reach their goals in life is easier said than done.
Today, educators face unique challenges that keep them from being able to do their best work and be effective teachers—and this can leave them feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.
Here are 7 of the biggest challenges that teachers face today.
7 of The Biggest Challenges That Teachers Face Today
1.) Building good relationships with parents and students
Developing good relationships with students and their parents is one of the biggest challenges that teachers face today. They need to be able to create a positive relationship with every student that they come across in class, even when they may be struggling with a subject or discipline issues.
In situations where students are struggling, it’s crucial for teachers to have an understanding of what their students’ needs are and how they’ll be able to help them overcome those challenges in the classroom. Whether they need additional attention or further intervention where the help of the parents is needed.
And in order for a good relationship to form between teachers and parents, it will require open communication from both sides. Communicating concerns to parents of students as well as taking time to get to know the needs of students sincerely will form and strengthen these bonds well!
2.) Teachers have to tailor their approach to every student
Teachers have a tough job. And it’s not a walk in the park. At all times teachers need to stand as good role models who are always consistent and fair with their consequences.
They also need to be good communicators that are able to clearly explain concepts and expectations so that all students understand them.
They should also be good problem solvers whenever there are situations in the classroom that they need to diffuse to avoid further escalation, teachers need to lead by example and not by force.
And teachers also need strong interpersonal skills in order to build deep-rooted relationships with every student in their class—if teachers fail to succeed at any of these things on their own then it’s unlikely that they’ll succeed overall.
It’s like teachers are walking on a tight rope and each and every movement they make should be carefully calculated in order to ensure that everything in their class is going smoothly.
3.) Insufficient Teacher Training Programs
Teachers need to be trained better. We might think that teachers are adequately trained on the job, but recent research shows that this is not the case, rather a lot of things they need to be trained for just like how to tackle classroom management are only taught casually during teacher prep programs.
Studies have shown that many new teachers are not adequately prepared to teach in today’s classroom which leaves them unable to adapt and accommodate the increasingly meticulous goals of schools.
The sole reason for this is that majority of teacher prep programs do not include enough practical experience in the actual classroom or hands-on learning opportunities outside of class time. Leaving new teachers clueless when facing the real thing.
4.) Keeping up with technology
Teachers are facing more and more challenges in the classroom, and one of them is keeping up with technology.
Technology is quickly changing by the minute, so being able to keep up with it is a big challenge for teachers. If teachers are unable to keep up with the latest trends and technologies, then how will they be able to provide students with the right tools?
Everything is constantly changing, and it’s a workload to keep up with it. And it’s not enough to know how to use it, teachers also need to learn and understand its full potential as well—and this applies to both software and hardware technologies.
Technology has been proven to elevate and improve learning outcomes for students of all ages—but only if used correctly!
5.) Lack of technology in the classroom
Teachers are barely keeping up with technology, and how can we expect them to keep up when there’s an actual lack of technology in the classrooms?
Teachers need to be able to show students how to use technology to learn new skills, magnify their creativity, and widen their knowledge base. For example, a teacher can use Google Classroom and Google Forms, and other online tools to gather students’ data and provide feedback on progress, but only if they have access to those resources in the classroom.
Teachers also need time and training outside of their teaching hours for them and their co-teachers to learn about how these technologies work to implement them effectively into their lessons.
6.) Teachers are requiring side jobs to supplement their income
Teaching is already a full load job, in fact, some may say that it takes a team to be one. But in spite of that, they are barely paid enough as it is.
Teachers’ salaries have remained unprogressive for years now and still continue to fall behind those of other professions with highly similar responsibilities.
That said, teachers are finding ways to supplement their income in light of the low pay and minimal benefits that they receive. Some teachers are forced to take on double jobs and even teach on the side to support themselves and their families.
And this just goes to show that there is something wrong and we need to fix it. Because without our brave educators, how will there be lawyers, doctors, engineers, and scientists? A thought-provoking reality that can really make you wonder why teachers are faced with this challenge.
7.) Teachers need more support to do their job
You might be surprised to discover that teachers need more help in the classroom. The fact that they’re underpaid and that they lack the resources, training, and funding means that they won’t be able to do everything they would like to because of the said issues that they face.
Local communities and the government can support teachers by getting involved in fundraising campaigns, volunteering programs, and donating supplies or technologies that students would greatly benefit from.
In light of these facts,
The biggest challenges that teachers face in today’s classroom are overwhelming in number and difficult to deal with, but there are barriers that can be overcome. With the right support system and adequate funding for resources, teachers might have a chance to better the education system as we speak.
All that being said, teachers do it through it all because they love their job and believe wholeheartedly in the cause of bettering the lives of their students by providing quality education with their best foot forward.
And with that in mind, the rest is up to us as a society to ensure that every child has access to a good teacher—and more importantly—good teaching materials and resources.
Salute to all the amazing teachers around the world, until our next one!
