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chalkface

British  
/ ˈtʃɔːkˌfeɪs /

noun

  1. informal

    1. the work or art of teaching in a school, esp classroom teaching as distinct from organizational responsibilities (esp in the phrase at the chalkface )

    2. ( as modifier )

      chalkface experience

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Gary Farrell, principal of Our Lady's and St Mochua's Primary School in Keady, County Armagh, said the group felt compelled to send the letter as they were at the "chalkface" and dealing with the difficulties caused by budget cuts.

From BBC

What is happening is that the national curriculum's worthy aspirations to educate pupils about ICT are transmuted at the chalkface into teaching kids to use Microsoft software.

From The Guardian

I suppose you could argue that the chalkface is not the same as the frontline, that education isn't just about teamwork and discipline, that schools shouldn't be run as boot camps, that perhaps some free-thinking and independence should be encouraged etc.

From The Guardian