Being a Teacher: Professional Challenges and Choices. Section Five, The teacher as knowledge–worker. Should teachers be imparting content knowledge or playing the role of a facilitator in a more learner-centred approach? This fundamental question – which may not have an either / or answer – links well the module ‘Learners and Learning’. We have just explored the ‘in authority’ role of teachers with respect to managing the learning environment. Now we turn to the role of the teacher as ‘an authority’, one who is expected to have a sound knowledge base that includes the skill of imparting knowledge to learners, in other words, a curriculum practitioner.