Teachers Are Born Not Made

In today’s world, teachers play an important and significant role. Not only do they play an important role in shaping the students they teach, but also the society in which they live. However, the question remains, how does someone becomes a capable and efficient teacher?   In the beginning of the twentieth century many people generally believed in the popular saying ‘Teachers are born, not made’ (Kochhar, 2005). However, it is now recognised that creating teachers are a product of nurture, not nature. They are created through the process learning, qualifications, self reflection and hard work; which will be discussed in this essay. These factors combine to disprove the once popular myth and show that teachers are made, not born.

In this essay, the term ‘teacher’ is defined as a not just a person who teaches, but an expert teacher. The qualities of an expert teacher can vary between different contexts. However, it is agreed that an expert teacher is both experienced and effective, and have extensive knowledge of teaching process and content (Woolfolk & Margetts, 2007).

The quote “who dares to teach, must never cease to learn” (Dana, J. C., cited in Woolfolk & Margetts, 2007, p. 1) emphasises the importance of life learning is to any teacher, whether a beginner or expert. The fast paced changes in the social, cultural and technological factors that shape a society make it essential for teachers to rethink themselves as ‘teachers’ and more as ‘learners’ to best serve their students (Latham, Blais, Dole, Faulkner, Lang, & Malone, 2008). Many educators believe that the most important part of training a beginning teacher is trying to instil an attitude and the skills that will let them be lifelong students of teaching (Ryan & Cooper, 2010).   When teachers prioritise life long learning, they begin to shape themsleves into a better teacher.

Some who say that teachers are born, not made, believe that teachers are born with the passion, enthusiasm and natural talent...