Reflections on Professional Ethics: Why am I willing to be a teacher?

In this essay, I am willing to figure out my reflective summary of what I have learnt from

the Professional Ethics class taught by Prof. Dr. Cherrielyn Casco in this 3rd semester.

It will consist of a brief history of my education background, my goal, and a reflection of

my teaching career related to the code of ethics of the teacher and code of conduct at

the end.

Education Background

Let me introduce you my brief education background, I graduated from high school in

my hometown in Batangas, in the year 2011, the first thing that came up in my mind

was to be a teacher of English. I was obviously inspired by one of the most committed

teachers I have ever known, who taught me English in Grade 7. Her name was Mrs.

Maricar Barredo. She taught my class with passion, excitement, and always tried to

disguise the teaching into games. I was probably her biggest fan who enjoyed her class

the most. At that time, I was hesitant and was not sure of what to do and choose, in

addition to being overwhelmed with suggestions from my private teachers at home and

with the time limitation, the compromise was to follow what some of my neighbors did,

namely to study what seemed to be interested in education. Then, I decided to study in

the English Department.

My Life Goal

I believe that we can make society better through education. Good education will create

a great society which is not only devoted to God but pays respectful attention to all

people: other people in a plural, even multicultural society, as well as the ecological

environment. It will be a hard task and needs time as well as patience, but the efforts
through education will pay off in its sustainability. Running my own school will certainly

give more liberty to design more creative learning and teaching activities. Besides what

I have mentioned above, running my own school is another scheme of “revenge” from

what I didn’t get when I was still in school. I am certain if I had been exposed to a better

education system, I would have taken a faster path to know what I wanted, what I am

good at and especially to be what I am one day. I want to run a school that nurtures

social awareness and teaches its students to be not only focus in government

curriculum but also their spiritual needs.

The Challenge

I have had the idea of owning and managing a school since a long time ago, but only

today I found out the complication of making it to become true. Honestly, if I were not

assigned to make this final reflection, then I might have not realized the path to reach

my dream is not going to be as easy as my imagination. Now, the biggest question is

should I go ahead or go home?

I have to admit that I had the hesitation. Often when I reflect on my teaching career, the

expression “Non scholæ sed vitæ is a Latin phrase. It means “We do not learn for

school, but for life”.” would keep flashing. Indeed, as a great teacher, we should be able

to not only teach them knowledge from the text book but also knowledge for life. This

knowledge of life is very important for them because they will learn from our life

experience and mistakes. In addition, I hope that later they will grow much better in

handling every problem in their life. Moreover, teachers are usually overloaded with

work, despite relatively low paid. However, we are expected to be able to make the

students to be both academically excellent and emotionally sated in their society.

In my point of view, joined The Professional Ethics class this semester has actually

opened my mind about the importance to be not only a great teacher but also great

educator. This class also in a way forced me to criticize myself. Every time I finish

teaching my class, I recall back to my way of teaching whether I was ethical or not, but

somehow the images of them being happy and active in the classroom strive me to

continue with my dream that is own and run a school with spiritual basis.

Conclusion

Code of ethics help teachers create a safe, productive, and positive learning

environment in their teaching career. Teachers are expected to maintain challenging

expectations that will improve the potential of all learners through meaningful and

inclusive participation in the classroom, school, and community. The Ethical Principles

promote good relationships between teachers, students, and parents when making

educational decisions. In addition, this relationship between the students, the parents,

and the teachers, all parties can improve the teaching and learning activities and

resources that will help improve the outcome of the individual’s education.

Moreover, the Code of Ethics also challenges teachers to use current data and

professional knowledge to improve teaching and learning activities in the classroom.

Keeping up with new trends and current information, through professional development

and continuing education, allow teachers to do their best to each student.

Suffice it to say, I will keep my plan to run and own a school. A school that focuses on

spiritual value and social awareness in the society through the government curriculum.

Later this school is expected to outcome students to be not only intelligent outside but
also inside through their spiritual growth. I will just do it and see what will be happened

next.