Unit 1 Cover 2. The Teacher “Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself." ~ Chinese proverb professional teacher is the Yicensed dignity and with high ‘moral values as wall as, technical and 20 The Professional Teacher The professional teacher is the “licensed professional who possesses dignity and reputation with high moral values as well as technical and professional competence ...s‘he adheres to observes, and practices a set of ethical and moral principles, standards and values.” (Code of Ethics of Professional Teachers, 1997) The professional teacher is one who went through four to five year period of rigorous academic preparation in teaching and one who is given a license to teach by the Board for Professional Teachers of the Professional Regulation Commission after fulfilling requirements prescribed by law such as passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). S/he is registered in the roster of professional teachers at the Professional Regulation Commission and undergoes continuing professional education. Ray Get a Leaming Partner Recall your experiences with teachers. What in their personalities helped to make you learn? Which ones did not help you lear at all? Share your reflections with your partner. Professional Attributes A professional teacher perceives himself/herself as someone who can effect change or leaming, (sense of efficacy) because s/ he is an expert in what s/he teaches (subject matter knowledge), profe (pe)a1 who well as serves, ds and 7) The e year who is hers of gements ion for ional dergoes did our meone use s/ ledge), Unit haptr2~ The Teacher and in how shhe teaches (pedagogical knowledge). A professional teacher possesses the following attributes: * Control of the knowledge base of teaching and learning and use of this knowledge to guide the science and art of his/her teaching practice © Repertoire of best teaching practice and can use these to instruct children in classrooms and to work with adults in the school setting © Dispositions and skills to approach all aspects of his/ her work in a reflective, collegial, and problem-solving ‘manner * View of learning to teach as a lifelong process and dispositions and skills for working towards improving his! her own teaching as well as improving schools (Arends, 1994) The last attribute cited by Arends highlights continuing professional development (cpd) or continuing professional education (epe). As the quotation goes, “once a teacher, forever a student.” Personal Attributes Personality is the sum of one’s personal characteristics. It is one’s identity. Teachers, more than any other professional, are momentarily subjected to scrutiny to the minutest detail and observation by those they associate with. Teachers are judged ‘more strictly than other professionals. The personality they project determines the impressions they make upon students and colleagues. Their poise, bearing, manner of dressing and facial ‘expression have an impact on their interaction with students Personalities may be described as authoritarian, weak, dynamic, or “magnetic”. Teachers’ personality must be natural and genuine, that is, devoid of pretenses and artificiality. They must be consistent, true and authentic. Some outstanding personal qualities that never fail to win their flock are worth mentioning (1) Passion Passion for teaching is a compelling force that emerges from teachers’ love for children. Passionate teachers exude spontaneity in ministering to the needs 2 To facitate leaming, teacher * be expert in ‘erhhis subject ‘and skilled in the science and art of teaching: leasing personality and a model of values; + have pesson for teaching ‘sense of patie and enthusiasm,of the students especially those experiencing learning difficulties. It is passion for teaching that drives them to care for their students corrected with appropriate reformative action. Passion does not die nor diminish. Their passion for teaching make them feel they “will live and die a teacher.” Humor Teachers’ humor connects them with their students like a magnet. They help in merging two worlds - youth ‘and maturity. When they laugh together, young and old, teachers and students, they cease to be conscious of their age difference. They enjoy as a group, thus promote a spirit of togetherness. A clean joke will always elicit rapport in a leaming environment. Values and Attitude Teachers are models of values. Whether conscious of them or not, values are exhibited implicitly and explicitly. Values connote standards, code of ethics and strong beliefs. Open-mindedness is basic in promoting respect and trust between teachers and students. It opens avenues for unrestricted search for information and evidence. Problems and issues are resolved in a democratic way. Students are encouraged to consider one another's findings and explanations. Free exchanges of suggestions develop a respectful attitude among them. Faimess and impartiality in treating students eliminate discrimination, Teachers must be unbiased and objective in judging their work and performance. Avoid preferential considerations that result to negative response and indifference. Objective evaluations are easily accepted and gratefully acknowledged. Faimess inculcates self-confidence and trust among students, Sincerity and honesty are values exhibited in words and actions. Teachers interact with students every minute, Their mannerisms, habits and speech are watched and at times imitated. Therefore teachers must show their real self, devoid of pretenses and half-truths. Sincerity dictates that they stick to the truth, to the extent of accepting what they do not know about the lesson. Mistakes and faults are accepted and not “covered up”. In the end, students realize that it is better to tell the truth than feignUs Choptr 2 The Teacher ning them rriate inish. | live us of icitly, trong t and ss for blems dents sand lop a ninate cctive ential and d and dence words nd at + real ctates 4 falsehood. Sincerity and honesty are taken as openness in dealing with others. Professionalism is highly treasured in the teaching profession. Teachers are adjudged professional if they are knowledgeable, skilled and value-laden. In addition to competence in teaching, they must have internalized the edicts of the profession, thus exhibit ethical and moral conduct. Upright and exemplary in behavior they earn respect and high esteem from students, colleagues. They catch students” attention and keep them focused on the topic, to soothe their feelings away from tension and to develop a sense of humor among themselves. Patience In teaching, patience refers to a teacher's uncomplaining nature, self-control and persistence. Patient teachers can forego momentous frustrations and disappointments. Instead they calmly endure their students’ limitations and difficulties. Teachers cannot help but feel impatient with students’ irresponsibility and carelessness in performing classroom routine. Remembering how their teachers felt when they, as young students committed similar mistakes, they are able to alleviate such misbehavior with coolness and equanimity. The inability of students to progress, as they should in learning a concept, can likewise test the teachers’ composure. The teachers’ capacity to adjust their methodologies could allay the tension, at the same time save time and effort for appropriate remediation. While it is natural to feel irritated and upset at times, meeting disquieting situations with cool-headedness is indicative of one’s moral strength and fortitude. Enthusiasm Enthusiasm is synonymous to eagerness and excitement. Enthusiastic teachers are full of energy and dynamism. Their passion and love for chilldren are easily felt. Everyone anticipates an interesting and enjoyable earning activity. Unfortunately, not all teachers are born with an alert and zestful disposition. With enthusiastic teachers, students look forward to any activity they can Participate in with them. Nothing will be difficult to undertake since a common feeling of eagemess exists among the students. It is not aPrinces of Tacting 1 surprise that students identify and describe their teachers by the enthusiasm and warmth they enjoy with them every minute. Enthusiasm is a gift. It is contagious and can instantly affect children’s moods and attitudes. Undoubtedly it is an irresistible feeling that intensifies the students’ momentum to reach a desired goal. It connects teachers to parents. (©) Commitment Commitment is a “solemn promise” to perform the duties and responsibilities mandated by the laws and code of ethics of the profession. It is an unwavering pledge to perform all teaching and leaning activities with ‘consistency and selflessness to the best interest of the students under their care, Committed teachers are caring ‘and dedicated. They are ready to cary on no matter the price. Dedication to the teaching job is the true essence of professionalism. Today we lament over the fast disappearing breed of teachers with a missionary spirit. Here are some research findings on effective teachers compiled by Stronge (2012). Discuss their implications to teacher pre-service education: 1. Teachers with a major or minor in content area are associated with higher student achievement especially in the area of science and mathematics. Caring teachers who know their students create relationships that enhance the learning process: Effective teachers practice gender, racial and ethnic fairness. Effective teachers consistently behave in a friendly and personal manner while maintaining appropriate teacher- student role structure. High levels of motivation in teachers relate to high levels of achievement in students Effective teachers exude positive attiudes about life and teaching. Teachers whose students have high achievement rates ‘continually mention reflection on their work as an important part of improving their teaching.e their teachers joy with them nd can instantly mubtedly it is an ents’ momentum ers to parents to perform the ; the laws and an unwavering g activities with interest of the thers are caring | no matter the rue essence of ast disappearing fective teachers implications to tent area are nt especially in mudents create rocess. ial and ethnic a friendly and mpriate teacher- se 10 high levels 5 about life and Unt Chepter2 ~The Teacher The National Competency-Based Teacher Standards The National Competency-Based Teacher Standards (NCBTS) that you discussed in one of your courses, The Teaching Profession, sums up the professional and personal traits of a professional teacher. You may want to refer to them again, BR sma croup Activites 1. Describe the professional teacher by means of a song or verses. “Like all good teachers, you have a touch of the actor. ...You also have a touch of the doctor or nurse’in you” said Rev. Father Joseph V. Landy, SJ. In what sense is the professional teacher an actor, a doctor and a nurse? 3. Let the class debate on which is more important — the professional for personal attributes of the teacher? Which teacher trait is more important - competence or commitment? Divide the class into two ‘groups that face each other. One group is for professional attributes, the other, personal attributes. A synthesis must be given at the end. Are good teachers born or made? Conduct an English Debate by dividing the class into two sections facing each other according to the position taken on the topic. Each side has a leader who leads the argument. If someone's argument convinces anyone that they should change sides, they literally get up and move to the other side. A count is taken at the beginning and end to note changes made, Teacher may do the synthesizing to conclude the activity. What is the role of teachers as suggested by the quotation beneath the Chapter title?5$SB_ individual Activity - For Reflection 1. a) Think for a moment about your favorite teacher. Make a ‘mental list of what made that teacher so special that even years after leaving elementary, high school, or college, ‘you can still remember the teacher's name. Now, compare ‘your mental list to what you have read in this section of Chapter I. How many effective teacher characteristics can you identify in your memory of your favorite teacher? Reflect on the personal attributes of a professional teacher. Which of these do you have? don’t have? Any personal plan of action for your growth? View any of these films: “Stand and Deliver” or “To: Sir with Love”. Make a reaction paper. Share your paper in class then pass. @ Taking It to the Net Surf the internet for at least 5 inspirational quotes on teachers. Reflect on them, Memorize one or two. This should form part of your collections. he em soc interactio ‘among th