Teacher
<p >A <b>teacher</b> or <b>schoolteacher</b> is a person who provides <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education" title="Education" >education</a> for pupils (children) and students (adults). The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School" title="School" >school</a> or other place of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formal_education" title="Formal education" class="mw-redirect" >formal education</a>. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_teacher" title="Certified teacher" >specified professional qualifications or credentials</a> from a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University" title="University" >university</a>or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College" title="College" >college</a>. </p>
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These professional qualifications may include the study of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedagogy" title="Pedagogy" >pedagogy</a>, the science of teaching. Teachers, like other professionals, may have to continue their education after they qualify, a process known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuing_professional_development" title="Continuing professional development" >continuing professional development</a>. Teachers may use a<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesson_plan" title="Lesson plan" >lesson plan</a> to facilitate student learning, providing a course of study which is called the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curriculum" title="Curriculum" >curriculum</a>.</p>
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A teacher's role may vary among cultures. </p>
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Teachers may provide instruction in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literacy_education" title="Literacy education" class="mw-redirect" >literacy</a> and<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numeracy" title="Numeracy" >numeracy</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craftsmanship" title="Craftsmanship" class="mw-redirect" >craftsmanship</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocational_training" title="Vocational training" class="mw-redirect" >vocational training</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_arts" title="The arts" >the arts</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion" title="Religion" >religion</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civics" title="Civics" >civics</a>, community roles, or life skills.</p>
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A teacher who facilitates education for an individual may also be described as a personal<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tutor" title="Tutor" >tutor</a>, or, largely historically, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governess" title="Governess" >governess</a>.</p>
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In some countries, formal education can take place through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeschooling" title="Homeschooling" >home schooling</a>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informal_learning" title="Informal learning" >Informal learning</a> 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.</p>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_teacher" title="Spiritual teacher" class="mw-redirect" >Religious and spiritual teachers</a>, such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru" title="Guru" >gurus</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mullah" title="Mullah" >mullahs</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbi" title="Rabbi" >rabbis</a>, pastors/youth pastors and<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lama" title="Lama" >lamas</a>, may teach <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_text" title="Religious text" >religious texts</a> such as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran" title="Quran" >Quran</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah" title="Torah" >Torah</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible" title="Bible" >Bible</a>.</p>