Is There a Future for the Teaching Profession?

This essay raises the question, "Is there a future for the teaching profession?" Beginning with a brief story illustrating the difficulties teachers and teacher educators face, this essay addresses three topics educators must address if the profession is to thrive: teaching and research within universities, the recruitment of educators, and the renewal of true professionalism. The essay concludes with several immediate steps educators can take to reinvigorate the teaching profession for the 21st century.