This study describes the mental images conjured up by the word "teacher" in two different cultures asks the following questions: How does the composite rating of the image of teachers compare between countries? and How are teachers rated in comparison to other occupations? Two instruments consisting of a 30-item attitude scale and a ranking of significant occupations were administered to 224 United States and 233 Irish teachers and prospective teachers. Significant differences exist in the way the respective cultures evaluated teaching as measured in the study. In ranking professions, elementary teachers ranked the same in the two samples while secondary teachers ranked higher in Ireland. Extensive tables of results are given. Suggestions to school administrators for improving the image of teachers are included; for example, administrators should know how teaching ranks among other professions and be aware that many teachers feel their profession is not as important as others. A review of literature about the teaching personality, teaching role, and cultural images of teaching in the United States is included. (29 references) (EJS)