DS4OERS (PAC) Discussion on teaching as vocation or profession

Teaching is both a vocation and a profession, because it is an opportunity a teacher is feeling suited to do. A teacher fulfills multiple roles, tutor, leader, and manager - each of which requires skills and profession of expertise. As an educator, I need to join the vocation and the profession to develop effective strategies for teaching that enhance student progress.

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Teaching is professional in the way that we did it for helping student to learn from what we taught.

Greetings. Well actually, teaching is both vocational and professional. Well this is because teaching career is the foundation of every single skill; practical n theorical. That is why we have so many different achievements and skills and jobs offered to all the people in the world. Some are working with fields where they have applied knowledge and skills and some are working in white colar jobs.

In every school, all the teachers are facing different student with different ability. These different abilities can be differentiate into two categories which are,

  1. Vocational which deals with so many practicals like; Design technology, Food & Textiles, Visual & Fine Arts Engineering, to name the least, and
  2. Pure abilities which derive professional skills like; Lawyer, Doctor, Church Minister, Judges, Accountants etc.

Above all teaching is vocation and profession. Teachers have multiples of skills to handle different abilities and different levels of learning. So being a teacher is so interesting and very challenging.

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In my own opinion vocation is a type of work or career that someone feels deeply connected to something they are naturally good at, trained for, or passionate about. It is more than just a job; it is worth that feels meaningful and fulfilling. While it used to mostly refer to religious callings, today it can describe any career where a person feels a strong sense of purpose.
As for profession I believe it is a type of work or career that usually needs special knowledge, training, or education in a particular subject, like teaching.

In my own opinion, teaching are vocation and profession because my own career is teaching the students in every subject like computer also trained there minds in practical activities using computers and laptops by typing so they can qualified to move to the next level of learning. So if I teach them and they learned and they have knowledge and skills to work on and assist others .

In my opinion, teaching can be both a vocation and profession but as for me personally, it is a vocation. I’m not an educator, but I have the heart and love to teach children to improve their learning. During my first-year teaching, I thought that teaching needs qualifications or quality achieved skills, but as I work for almost 8 years now, it gave me an idea that it indeed a vocation through self- commitments and experiences and that has rewards at the end.

Since I’ve been dreaming of becoming a teacher and to interact with students I have to say that teaching is a vocation.

In my opinion, teaching is both a vocation and a profession.

It is a profession because it requires specialised knowledge, skills, training, and ongoing development. As a teacher at St Patrick in Kiribati, I teach Year 10 Maths and Year 11 Accounting, which demand not only content knowledge but also professional planning, assessment, and classroom management skills. Like any profession, teaching comes with responsibilities, standards, and expectations.

At the same time, teaching is clearly a vocation or a calling. In Kiribati, where resources are limited and teachers often work with fewer tools and support, you have to be driven by a genuine passion to serve and uplift your community. For me, becoming a teacher was more than just a career choice. I felt called to help young people gain knowledge, values, and skills that will prepare them for life and contribute to the development of our island nation.

I joined this vocation because I wanted to make a difference not just in the classroom, but in the lives of students, families, and our community as a whole. Despite challenges like limited internet, few teaching materials, and large class sizes, I feel proud to be part of shaping the future generation in Kiribati.

In my opinion, Teaching is often considered a vocation because many teachers are driven by a strong sense of calling or purpose—a deep-seated desire to help others learn and grow.
If I’m an educator I join the vocation or related profession because it was a passion for learning and teaching.

Teaching is truly my vocation. it inspires me to serve young people with humility and dedication. I chose this profession because I am passionate about making a difference in their lives.

In my opinion, teaching is both a vocation and a profession. it is a vocation because it comes from the heart-a personal calling to help others learn and grow. At the same time, it is a profession because it requires skills, training and also to do responsibility. Teachers also are expected be plan a lessons, assess students and follow standards just be like in my path career that I have chosen for myself now #course:DS4OERS.

Teaching should first be a passion, the passion orients or then drives one to make it a vocation and in the long-term becomes an effective, diligent & seasoned member of the profession. After all, we are investing & depositing into another human-life and in most cases they are the most vulnerable & youngest member of our community, to be noble in carrying it out, ā€œone must know thyselfā€ first; as ā€œa teacher in a day is a parent in a lifetimeā€. The lens of ā€˜vocation’ & ā€˜profession’ to look through ā€˜teaching’, in my opinion is already a wrong-start.

Can a vocation die? profession change? and passion? These questions came to mind when reading these response. Most probably, we should look at how the two terms ā€˜vocation’ & ā€˜profession’ has been synonymized with in our ā€˜Learning & Teaching environment’. Leave alone the dictionary meaning, what teaching has been normalized to is what will frame our ā€˜Learning & Teaching’ space hence becomes our own frame [of mind etc], irrespective. This has shaped us & will shape future educators thus influence our students. Good food for thoughts this ā€œdec-constructingā€ exercise is doing. Thank you!

Personally, I see teaching as a combinations of both- Vocation and Profession. Human are designed to be teachers by birth. Unconsciously and consciously were made great teacher. Biblically, human are images of the Creator- so are teachers. A saying goes, ā€œlike father like son and so is to the mother is like a daughter. Isn’t this proves human are born to be teachers- so is this proven teaching is a vocation.
On the other hand, profession is mastery requiring academic learning of skills and knowledge. In today’s world, technology through advancement in human knowledge increases. To keep up to this, human need knowledge and skills to adopt to this fast changing phenomenon. Teaching is the only tool to enable and fulfill this. So yes, teaching in this sense is a profession
So human are born to be teachers but need skill to teach so teaching is both a vocation and profession

Teaching a vocation or profession? Why?

In my view, teaching is both a ā€œvocationā€ and a ā€œprofessionā€. It is a vocation because it often begins with a deep personal calling—a desire to shape minds, inspire growth, and make a difference in people’s lives. At the same time, it is a profession because it requires formal training, ongoing development, and adherence to ethical and pedagogical standards. Teachers must blend heart and skill, passion and knowledge, which makes this field uniquely fulfilling and demanding.

If you’re an educator, why did you join the vocation or related profession?

I chose to become an educator because I believe in the power of education to transform lives and build stronger communities. I’ve always been passionate about helping others learn, and I find joy in seeing students develop confidence and new skills. Teaching gives me the opportunity to continuously learn myself while guiding others—it’s truly a two-way journey of growth.

Malo Vinaka

ds4oers

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Dear Boten_2025,

I totally agree with your views.
Thank you for sharing.

Thank you so much for your comment

Totally agree with your view on teaching as a vocation, not as an educator view but as responsible being. Although we all have different perspectives on teaching but we all hope for a wide opportunities for students future.

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Nice one Uekai!!
I totally understand what you mean. Teaching is a strong sense of purpose in order for you to support others to grow.
:+1:

Teaching is a vocation, but being a teacher is a profession. Being a teacher, I think that teaching is a vocation since, as experience increases, so does the joy and love for the work. pondering how fortunate I am to be able to impart a wealth of knowledge and variety to the children as a teacher. It’s really privileged.