Romelynn S.

Villalon
Unit Earner

Self – Check & Evaluation Activities

Write up each for a morally upright teacher and the ideal 21 st century
teacher.

Teaching is not only about knowledge transmission but also an altruistic service. It
therefore follows that moral development is an important and critical dimension of
education and should not be overlooked. In fact, more attention needs to be given to
this element of educating our youths.

The home is the first place to influence the moral behavior of children and to instill
values. Values are those forces that govern one’s behavior and are present at the core
of the personality. Morals are formed as a result of values. The school is the second
important place that impacts morale. It therefore means that the family and the school
must forge a partnership for the betterment of children. Education is a significant force
in the inculcation of values by teaching what is good and what is evil, what is right and
what is wrong.

Teachers may actually be the first adults, apart from parents, with whom children
spend extensive periods of time. The variations present in family structure in our society
means that the teacher has to possess coping skills, empathy and compassion.
Teaching is not only about knowledge transmission, but also altruistic service. It
therefore follows that moral development is an important and critical dimension of
education and should not be overlooked. In fact, more attention needs to be given to
this element of educating our youths.

An effective 21st century educator must be able to collaborate and work well in a
team. Working with others is an important 21st century skill. Over the past few years,
being able to collaborate effectively in the workplace has grown quite rapidly. Learning
Romelynn S. Villalon
Unit Earner
is deemed to be more effective when you can share your ideas and knowledge with
others. Sharing your expertise and experience, communicating and learning.

A 21st century teacher is able to adapt to whatever comes their way. Teaching is a
career that has pretty much stayed the same over the past few decades. The tools have
changed over the years (Smart boards have replaced chalkboards, tablets have
replaced textbooks) but the practice has not. The 21st century teacher is able to look at
their practice and adapt based on the needs of their students. They must be able to
adapt their teaching style to include different modes of learning, adapt when a lesson
fails, and adapt to new technology. They must be able to adapt to the curriculum and
the requirements and be able to use their imagination to teach in creative ways.

The 21st century teacher is a lifelong learner. They don’t just expect their students to
be lifelong learners, but they too stay current and on top of what’s new in education.
Even though they may still use the same lesson plan from years before, they know how
to change it to keep up-to-date with what is current. A great teacher will not only
embrace technology, but be willing to learn more about it.

It’s a critical time in education and how it and teachers are being perceived. With the
common core being implemented and judged, the teaching profession is being met with
a close eye now more than ever before. Instead of sitting back, a 21st century takes a
stand for themselves and advocates for their profession. They pay close attention to the
important issues and talk about them with their community. They keep parents and
students informed on what’s going on in education and address on issues head on.

21st Century learning means teaching just as you have done in the past centuries,
but with way better tools. Today’s teachers have a great advantage, they have powerful
learning tools at their disposal that they didn’t have before. 21st Century technology is
an opportunity for students to acquire more knowledge. Teachers have the ability to
move away from being the dispenser of information to someone who can guide them
and prepare them for their future.
Romelynn S. Villalon
Unit Earner

Lastly, the 21st century educator must use teaching strategies to ensure that the
focus in education is on preparing today’s children for the future of where they will live
and where they will work, not for our current world.

Using the NCBTS checklist make an inventory of teacher competencies.