Republic of the Philippines

TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

COLLEGE OF INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION
1000 Ayala Boulevard cor. San Marcelino St., Ermita, Manila
Tel. (632) 521-4063; Telefax: (632) 523-2293;
Website: http://www.tup.edu.ph

Angelica B. Alejandro
BSIE-HE/4A October 17, 2021

“BEING A TEACHER”

As an aspiring teacher, I would say that I agree with the observations made by Mrs.
Cruz in her letter because as time goes by our generations are changing, improving and
innovating in all aspects especially in our education system. Technically, the world where
we exist and live is changing so fast and I think that is the reason why the education
system is changing so fast. However, I agree with the observations because that is
accurate and correct, if education is changing so fast teachers and also aspiring teachers
needs to study new challenges and learn to adopt them because that is being a teacher.
Being teachers are no longer to train for yesterday but for tomorrow in which teachers
use modern teaching aid and in which teachers can be teachers with passion. Teachers
must know modern learning aid, they must know about learning styles they must be
prepared to give true to their student’s trust, they must be prepared to be real team
workers instead of working in their own private and public classroom and of course, they
must master the 21st-century skills. In addition, I agreed with the observations made by
Mrs. Cruz in her letter because she is right being a teacher is indeed a noble calling and
that’s the thing I learned in the code of ethics, Article 4 The teacher and the profession,
Section 1 and 2. It’s a noble calling because not everyone can be a teacher. After all, not
everyone is called to be a teacher so teaching is a vocation, you are called to be a teacher
and you are called to perform a particular mission and that is to educate young minds.
Teach them the why’s and the how’s and the application of such to real life so teachers
must be dignified professionals.
 Since I’m studying at the Technological University of the Philippines, it’s a state
university here in Manila and it is one of the best engineering and education schools that
offer free and quality education. All in all, TUP is a great school. And as a student, these
observations are very true where I’m in now. Our school have an average class size
increased and more students per classroom, because it’s a public university where
students are capable and has the freedom to choose the course that they’re wanted
because our school are free for all. Aside from that, our school has lots of electronic
gadgets and modern teaching aids per classroom. And gladly to see, that some of our
teachers are trying their best to use an overhead projector and even an LCD to make
their lessons more interesting and enjoying during our class discussions.

The implications of these observations to me as a student-teacher. First, it

motivates me to thrive and embrace these challenges into inspiration because like what
the observation made by Mrs. Cruz in her letter being a teacher is indeed a noble calling
and teachers have the power to shape and touch the minds and hearts of future
generations and I agreed it’s not easy because there are many challenges due to the
changes in our society but for me, as a student-teacher makes me realize that if you love
your paths and career no matter what happened you will be able to embrace it and accept
because that our noble calling and lifelong commitment for the future generations.
Second, as a student-teacher, these observations open up my perceptions into what can
do and what was the important thing I should prepare and study. Lastly, the implications
of these observations to me as a student-teacher make me realize the importance of
mastering 21stcentury skills because Changing social life and the educational
environment significantly affect the determinations of student-teacher skills. Therefore,
student-teacher like me can use new technological tools effectively in the education
environment and it will play an important role in developing the skills of students need for
the future.

It makes my job more difficult to work with students in classes especially in having
more students because large classrooms make discussion and group more difficult. A
study conducted by three professors at the University of London found that in larger
classrooms, students were less engaged. What was most surprising to the teachers was
that students who disengaged were the students struggling most in school. Also, the
teacher had more negative behaviour to address with students who were having difficulty
in school.

Generally, the challenges faced by teaches then from those that they are facing
today are very different at that time, because due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools
around the world were closed, aside from that Educators are adapting and adjusting to
new challenges. Based on the letter written by Mrs. Cruz a retiring school principal in the
Philippines, to her so Jose Cruz, as an aspiring teacher, notice that there are more
students now per classroom, also Mrs. Cruz notice that the average class size has
increased through the years, aside from that there are new skills that the teachers should
need to have such as knowing how to use and manipulate the computer and the Internet.
However, the teachers twenty years ago are not missing chalk and lots of manila paper
hanging on the blackboard but as time goes by teachers should need to know how to use
an overhead projector and even an LCD to make their lessons more interesting and
enjoying for their learners. That's why the school before are tremendously different from
the schools twenty years ago.

In our present pandemic situation, it is more difficult and less difficult, because in
our present pandemic situation it gives an advantage and disadvantage effect, especially
on our educational system. Both teachers and students are a burden and pressure. It’s
more difficult for teachers because they designed virtual lessons with limited time and
resources and there was no roadmap or blueprint but teachers in our present pandemic
situation giving their best of the best for their students every single day. Teachers are
proven that social distance doesn’t mean relational distance. Despite the roadblocks,
teachers have built classroom communities on empathy and kindness where students
engage in meaningful collaboration. Teachers helped find resources for students who
were struggling, teachers experimented with new approaches and taken creative risks.
Also, teachers crafting meaningful lessons that empower the student with voice and
choice. Meanwhile, teaching is especially challenging right now. And that’s the power of
being a teacher no matter what happened and no matter the situation is, that’s their noble
calling.