Final Essay
Kristi Carson
Liberty University
EDUC200
Andrew Sheldrake
March 3 , 2023
rd
Final Essay
Education is preferably one of the most exciting and fulfilling jobs globally. Teaching is
accompanied by many advantages and challenges, which is the norm for many professions
(Lerner & Johns, 2014). Teachers facilitate the development and learning of students in different
ways, including cognitive, psychological, and sociological aspects. The professionals, including
professors and tutors, provide the students with different skills used for personal and career
development (Lerner & Johns, 2014). The teachers are involved in creating plans, developing
lesson materials, grading and assigning tests, and giving feedback to students for further actions
and improvement. Education professionals are found in different niches, such as special needs
and regular schools, with specializations in math, science, and other subjects. The paper will
examine some of the rewards I expect to face as a teacher (impacting students' lives, satisfaction,
and career development) and challenges (managing time, diverse student behaviors, and scarce
resources).
One of the rewards I expect to face in my teaching position is impacting students' lives in
different ways. The main goal of my teaching profession is to inspire students to do their best
through different mechanisms, such as encouraging their self-esteem. For example, students with
special needs, which is my specialization, need to understand the student's feelings and emotions
(Lerner & Johns, 2014). I understand that sometimes students may feel lost due to desperation,
discouragement, and frustrations associated with their conditions. However, assisting them to
recover and be strong emotionally is a reward I expect to gain from this teaching profession if I
secure the position. Additionally, fostering motivation amongst the students will be a significant
aspect in impacting the students' lives. I would like to apply the Lavoie forces of motivation,
such as having friends and asserting, to encourage motivation amongst the students (Lerner &
Johns, 2014). Fostering self-esteem and motivation will impact the students' lives, which is a
reward I expect to face as a teacher.
The other reward I will face as a teacher is personal satisfaction. Personal satisfaction is
feeling content that you have achieved something you desire. I believe that providing structure,
conveying sincerity, and sharing responsibility with the students, especially those with special
needs (Lerner & Johns, 2014), provides personal satisfaction to education professionals. The
experience I gained while practicing teaching proved immensely important and provided me with
personal fulfillment when I saw the students succeeding. Furthermore, capitalizing on students'
interests and engaging them in different learning activities increases personal satisfaction among
teachers. I would be so satisfied seeing special needs students learn and grow.
Furthermore, professional and career development is another reward I will face as a
teacher if I secure the teaching position. Interacting with the students, researching ways to make
learning better, and using different strategies will enable me to develop professionally. Cognitive
development, learning theories, and strategies will enhance my career development. For
example, understanding cognitive theories, psychology, and different behaviors in special needs
curriculum shapes the professional development of teachers (Lerner & Johns, 2014). Such
teachers can access situations, apply the theories in learning processes, and apply behavioral
psychology while dealing with students later in their careers. As a teacher, I will be faced with
different opportunities, such as attending workshops, conferences, and collaborations with other
institutions. The opportunities will provide me with current relevant teaching skills, thus
improving my professional skills. Therefore, professional development is a reward that I will
face as a teacher.
On the other hand, one challenge I will face as a teacher is time management. For
example, special needs students require much time and responsibility (Lerner & Johns, 2014). As
a teacher, managing time and other activities in learning, such as lesson planning, assessing and
assigning tests, grading, and communicating with parents, among other responsibilities, is hard. I
believe that being able to manage all the tasks that come with the teaching profession while at
the same time giving quality instructions to students is a challenge that I will face as a teacher if I
secure the position.
Another potential challenge I will face as a teacher is student behavior. Students are
raised differently and have diverse backgrounds. Teachers are tasked with maintaining positive
environments in the classroom, and being able to address the behaviors of the students can be a
challenge. Special needs students face different psychological behaviors, especially those with
mental issues such as autism. I understand that being able to impact them through learning while
managing their behavior is a challenge I will face as a teacher.
Additionally, scarce resources are another challenge I will face as a teacher. Resources
such as books, technologies to assist special needs students, and other supplies are challenges
teachers face (Lerner & Johns, 2014). With such limited resources, I believe that providing
students with quality instructions and assistance is a challenge I will face. Some of the resources
I understand are expensive and unavailable, but unfortunately, the lack of such limits on learning
opportunities.
In conclusion, the teaching profession can be described as one of the preferable
professions globally. I believe there are different rewards, such as impacting students' lives,
personal satisfaction, and professional development, that accompany the profession. Challenges
also exist, such as time management, the behavior of the students, and scarce resources. Finding
a balance between the two is essential for professional fulfillment as a teacher.
References
Lerner, J. W., & Johns, B. (2014). Learning disabilities and related disabilities:
Strategies for success (13th ed.). Cengage Learning.
