“What’s the Spanish word for teacher?” sounds like a simple, straight- forward question. Depending on the context, there are many Spanish words you can use. Here are some examples:
1. maestro / maestra: This is one of the most common words you can use for teacher in Spanish.
2. profesor / profesora: This is another common word that you can use interchangeably with maestro/a.
But if you thought that those were the only words you can use. Check these other Spanish words for teacher and their definitions:
3. docente: I would say that this is a more formal way to call a teacher.
4. educador: Educator, a person who provides instruction or education (a teacher).
5. preceptor / preceptora: A teacher or instructor.
6. instructor / instructora: Instructor, a person who teaches something.
7. leccionista: A teacher that gives private lessons.
8. tutor/tutora: Tutor, a private teacher, typically one who teaches a single pupil or a very small group.
9. institutriz: Woman in charge of the education or instruction of one or more children in the domestic household.
10. institutor / institutora: The RAE dictionary marks this as an obsolete Spanish word for teacher used in Colombia.
In other contexts you can use these last two words from our list:
11. gurú: Spiritual teacher or an influential teacher or popular expert.
12. mentor: Trusted adviser, educator.
Here are more articles for Spanish teachers that may interest you.