This paper aims at understanding the teacher's work as a theoretical and methodological intellectual approach which guides programs of formal preparation and continued education for teachers. The nature of teaching is discussed by affirming its peculiarity and by pointing out the importance of teacher preparation for the performance of pedagogical practice. The interpretation of teacher's work was undertaken by using two categories: meaning - as a socially defined aim of this activity - and the sense teachers attribute to their job. The rupture between meaning and sense makes alienates the work, jeopardising or rendering teaching characterless.