A wise man once stated, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”.
In Barbados, formal education is the approach we are familiar with from nursery level, to junior level, secondary and tertiary. We visualise classrooms, rows of students, books and all the usual realities of a formal education setting.
In 21st century terms, education entails “an enlightening experience” where acquiring knowledge, truth and skills prepares students for future living and that all may flourish in life.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN DUTIES OF AN EDUCATOR?
- Building Curriculum & Plans
Formal education in schools and universities are still evermore present which require educators to build curriculum, lesson plans or syllabi for their classroom sessions. Within these plans, educators outline objectives indicating what information needs to be taught and outcomes they anticipate for their students.
- Research
Teachers in tertiary institutions tend to perform extensive research when building lesson plans to provide accurate and relevant information to their students as possible. Before taking the classroom, the educator acts as a researcher and organiser of information to teach.
- Administer Knowledge
Upon researching and organising information into a curriculum, educators act as communicators and participants. They effectively are a resource to administer their knowledge and expertise using a variety of pragmatic, visual and audio teaching techniques to instruct, inspire and inform students.
- Assess & Examine
Educators, like many professions, are required to provide results. Through building periodic assessment exams, educators are responsible for gauging how their information was received by students. The feedback enables them to identify which teaching techniques prove effective. If students are struggling, what adjustments can be made?
- Foster a Learning Environment
Different personalities, ideas and learning approaches all in one room can be a challenging task. An educator’s duty therefore is to command a classroom in a way that facilitates learning and knowledge sharing, expression of ideas with minimal distractions. Educators’ duty is to gain the student’s confidence to convince them the information has truth and meaning.
Indeed, educators do more than drill knowledge into people’s heads. A career in education often involves acting as a mentor, guide, or encourager to shape people’s minds and for students to realise their true potential and go on to achieve something great. Good educators inform, but great educators inspire.
What are the Skills and Competencies required for Educators?
Bachelor’s degrees in education are favoured for individuals seeking to enter the teaching profession. For tertiary and vocational programmes, individuals would be required to possess a masters or doctorate degree for the courses they teach.
1. Adaptability
With technology playing an increasingly important role in daily life, this means new teaching methodologies and classroom strategies need to be consistently adopted to capture the evolving minds and attention span of today’s student. Adaptability is a valued skill that educators will find useful.
2. Assertiveness
To command a classroom, to gain the respect of your students and to prove yourself as a knowledge expert will require an assertive character. Students will not respond to passivity or aggression as this leads to classroom chaos. As an educator, you must be skilled in presenting yourself in front a classroom, articulating your information, and having a calm, yet confident demeanour to manage multiple personalities and convey your knowledge effectively.
3. Communication
An educator’s role involves a great deal of public speaking. Remember, you are in front of a classroom with eager eyes on you. You will need a solid foundation in public speaking to act as a communicator, mentor or produce results in your students. A great deal of listening is required to understand your students’ needs and concerns.
4. Team Player Skills
When in the classroom, you and your students are operating together to achieve the list of objectives outlined in the curriculum or lesson plan. To work together, means operating as a team – supporting, encouraging, listening, building trust and rapport to work as a cohesive unit.
5. Imaginative/Creativity
A great educator needs to use imagination and creative energy to inspire others. Moreover, with shorter attention spans today, educators must formulate unique strategies to engage their students and offer knowledge that is practical, insightful and meaningful to them.
6. Continuous Learning
Educators hold truth and wisdom dearly. The world is consistently evolving and to research and communicate the most relevant information, educators must upgrade their knowledge base by seeking out new case studies, theories and examples to provide their students with valuable knowledge to help shape their minds and lives.
What are the Growth Opportunities in Education?
Formal Education Careers
For individuals seeking to remain within teaching itself, they can start at primary and work up to CXC level. Formal education also offers advancement through becoming department heads, deans, vice principals, principals and academic directors. Classroom techniques and curriculum workshops hosted by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology & Innovation allows educators to build on their existing skills to advance in their teaching careers.
Educators may also advance as school administrators, guidance counsellors, or other professionals within the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology & Innovation. Usually, higher qualifications are required for certain professions such as a psychology degree, master’s in education or behavioural sciences to become a guidance counsellor or principal.
Advancing from Secondary to Tertiary
Educators wishing to advance to higher education in the University of the West Indies or Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute would be required to earn a masters or doctorate in the respective field they wish to lecture. Additionally, transitioning from secondary to tertiary education would require a shift in teaching methodologies and further skills. Teachers and lecturers operate in different sensibilities where lecturers may assume more of a researcher role and less of a commanding one.
Corporate/Self Employment
Creative and learning skills allow educators to venture into entrepreneurship, training & consultancy, private or online tutoring. Communication skills enable public relations, marketing and human resources to be viable career opportunities. Adaptable educators can delve into Barbados’ thriving tourism, agricultural, financial or information technology industries. Given that educators have to refine their communication, imaginative and adaptive capabilities, these skills can be transferred to multiple sectors in Barbados and provide the foundation for a new career.
