What Is Surprising About Talent Related to Teaching?

When we talk about talent, it is common to think about business talent, such as tech or creative talent, among others. But what about talent related to teaching? Undoubtedly, it is a great academic responsibility that involves putting into practice a multitude of skills to professionally facilitate learning in students.

Teaching is not just a profession; it is a vocation that must be carried out with the necessary values and competencies to be that guide, mediator, and companion of students during the construction of knowledge, both individually and collectively.

We learn from teachers from the moment we first step into school. They are the ones who inspire us, and sometimes it is because of them that we end up choosing a specific profession.

The level of influence that a teacher has on a child is indeed significant. That is why they have the responsibility to carry out their work with professionalism, excellence, and effectiveness.

For teachers, and for any other professional, it is important to engage in continuous training and professional development. They are the ones who shape all professionals, from their early stages to doctoral levels.

As a society, it is important to know and understand our teachers because they hold the future of the new generations in their hands. By getting involved and learning more about teaching talent, we can take action to improve education in our country.

Before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, teacher training was mainly offered in a face-to-face format and took place in major cities, which was costly for those coming from other locations. It involved expenses for transportation, accommodation, and meals. Furthermore, the courses offered did not always address the actual needs of teachers, and the options available were limited.

As a result of the pandemic, teachers were forced to venture into the use and utilization of technology. In addition to this, more alternative support options for their continuous training emerged, which has significantly modified the methods of professional development.

Before delving into the analysis of the results depicted in the following graphs, it is worth noting that the talent of any individual within a company represents a part of the human capital that contributes value to outcomes. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that professionals who invest a greater effort in their training and continuous development will ensure a greater impact on quality and results.

Based on a survey conducted by Cursafy* of 1,000 Mexican teachers from all educational levels who participated in online training, the following trends can be observed:

Ages

We might think that young people are the ones who are most immersed in online education since they grew up with the use of technology and are more familiar with it. However, we can observe that the percentage of people taking online training decreases as age decreases. In other words, individuals aged 41 to 65 represent nearly 60% of those who engage in training through this modality, while those in the 20-25 age range only represent 6.2%. Why are more experienced teachers deciding to take online courses?

Academic Degree

Of the sample, 48.2% have education levels beyond a master's degree, and this is closely related to age, as older individuals are more interested in their professional development and are also more likely to have the financial means to pursue advanced degrees. This percentage represents nearly half of the sample, and what is significant about this is that these individuals are constantly engaged in academic preparation, allowing them to develop a higher level of competence to face their professional responsibilities with greater chances of success.

Gender

On the other hand, it is worth noting that 77.1% of the sample are women, while 22.7% are men. Teaching is a profession where the majority of individuals are women, as they represent 70% of teachers in the country.

Educational Level They Work In

Of those surveyed, 67.2% work in primary/secondary education, which, when combined with preschool, accounts for a total of 86.7% of people engaged in online training. These individuals work in basic education, which represents 60% of the total number of teachers in the country at that level.

Employment Sector

According to the survey results, 70.7% of the teachers in the sample work in public schools, while 23.9% work in private schools, and only 5.4% work in both sectors.

Based on the results of the sample, it can be concluded that the teaching professionals who are undergoing online training in Mexico are mostly women ranging from 41 to 65 years old, working in the public sector in elementary schools. The predominant academic degree is a bachelor's, even though 48% have a higher degree, such as a master's, which is not a significant disadvantage.

Doesn't it catch your attention that older individuals are the ones seeking online training?