A school teacher mug

AssetID: 77188781 / OJO Images / A school teacher A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils (children) and students (adults). The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education . In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional qualifications or credentials from a university or college . These professional qualifications may include the study of pedagogy , the science of teaching. Teachers, like other professionals, may have to continue their education after they qualify, a process known as continuing professional development . Teachers may use a lesson plan to facilitate student learning, providing a course of study which is called the curriculum . A teacher's role may vary among cultures. Teachers may provide instruction in literacy and numeracy , craftsmanship or vocational training , the arts , religion , civics , community roles, or life skills. A teacher who facilitates education for an individual may also be described as a personal tutor , or, largely historically, a governess . In some countries, formal education can take place through home schooling . Informal learning may be assisted by a teacher occupying a transient or ongoing role, such as a family member, or by anyone with knowledge or skills in the wider community setting. Religious and spiritual teachers , such as gurus , mullahs , rabbis , pastors/youth pastors and lamas , may teach religious texts such as the Quran , Torah or Bible . This page is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, anyone associated with the topic.