Your school is a part of your community, and there are a lot of expectations that the community places upon its teachers. Citizens expect teachers to provide students with an education that prepares them for the future. They look to schools to teach students appropriate behavior. They also expect teachers to ensure that all students learn the basics that will help them function in civic society.

Preparation for Work

Employers today cite the lack of basic skills as the source of many problems with their new employees. Many community leaders feel that schools are not doing enough to prepare students for work. This does not mean that high school students should be learning specific skills, such as running a cash register.

What it does mean is that students are expected to leave school with the ability to read and write, perform basic mathematic calculations, and think critically. Knowing how to learn and where to find information is more valuable than being able to recite a list of memorized facts.

Good Citizenship

Communities also expect schools to turn out good citizens. This means they expect you, as a teacher, to reinforce skills such as punctuality and honesty. Some community leaders also stress the importance of teaching students pride in their country and a desire to get involved. The move toward greater community service reflects the growing concern that students should learn to care for their neighbors.

Many schools are actually requiring community service in order for students to graduate. Further, many clubs and organizations require students to participate in and complete service projects. Finally, some scholarships even require students to show that they have volunteered or otherwise helped out their community in substantial ways.