Unique Number: 

             297668
Student Number:             59524898
Student Name:                 KA Louw
 
Discuss the implications of the corona virus pandemic on teachers’ professionalism all
over the world with reference to the following:
 
I agree with the statement, corona virus has implications on teachers’ professionalism. It is
important for us to understand teachers are humans and not super beings. We need to support
our teachers in any possible way to make sure our children get the best possible education they
deserve. 
a. Teachers’ commitment to their job
Commitment to the learners
Commitment is an essential characteristic in the world of teaching. When Covid-19 came
knocking on our door teachers worldwide were shook and confronted with challenges they
never thought they would have to face in their teaching career. Covid-19 places the lives of
our students and teachers at risk daily. The Covid-19 pandemic made being a teacher
strenuous and more challenging. In times of fear and uncertainty teachers showed their
commitment to their students by recognizing and fulfilling their responsibilities to their
students and prioritizing the needs of their students. Teachers have shown their commitment
to their students by adapting to the current state or the new normal of the educational
landscape and adjusting their teaching methodology and utilizing resources made available
to them to better serve their students. The pandemic has forced teachers to transition their
lessons from physical classrooms to online and distance learning platforms and many
schools fall short in providing Information and Communication Technologies (ICT’s) and the
needed resources for online and distance learning. Under tremendous pressure
teachers showed their commitment to their students by creating safe environments for
students physically but socially and mentally. Teachers understand for their students to learn
optimally they need to feel safe and valued. Teachers understand the importance of their role
in their students lives during the pandemic, even though they fear for their own lives,
 
Commitment to the profession
Teachers shared light on their concerns about teaching in an environment that might be
detrimental to their health, well-being and the health and well-being of their students.
Teachers persevered and stayed committed to their profession by being positive, productive
and active in their students’ school career and not denying students of their right to
education. Teachers had numerous training sessions regarding Covid-19 protocols at
schools and showed commitment to their profession by making sure school leaders,
colleagues, assistants and students adhere to the Covid-19 protocols. Teachers showed
commitment to their profession by reaching their students on greater levels by improving their
teaching techniques and working together with school leaders, colleagues, assistants, and
the community to better assist students especially those with learning barriers,
underprivileged- and less than average students.
 
b. Teachers’ working relationships within and beyond the classroom
Relationship with learners
Maintaining a healthy student-teacher relationship during the Covid-19 pandemic has made
teaching a daunting experience. Students rely a great deal on their teacher. Teachers need
to ensure that the interruption to education is as limited as possible. Covid-19 has forced
teachers to focus on being more creative and innovative to keep their students motivated and
engaged in learning. Teachers must maintain access to learning and ensure students retain
knowledge and skills and assist students who have fallen behind with their work because of
the pandemic. Teachers’ biggest concern are students with learning barriers and those who
are not able to benefit from online learning. Teachers constantly have to think of ways to
make sure students with learning barriers, underprivileged, and less than average students’
needs are met during the pandemic.
 
Relationship with themselves
Teaching is a complexed profession and Covid-19 has led to insignificantly increased
workloads for teachers as they had to work, move, and present teaching content and
materials online and navigate the requisite software each of their schools had to offer.
Teachers had to aid themselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to serve their
students to the best of their abilities during the pandemic. Studies have shown that teachers
above the age of 60 and teachers with underlying medical issues or known as comorbidities
are more at risk of not surviving the deadly virus. Teachers’ work in close proximity of
students daily and studies have shown that teachers can contract the virus from the students.
The results of these studies have left teachers filled with anxiety and fear and this led to
some teachers feeling a disconnect with their profession. This left vulnerable teachers with
no other option than to work from home or to resign from their profession. Covid-19 placed
teachers in a vulnerable position. Teachers need to take care of themselves first to serve the
students to the best of their ability.
 
Relationship with the community outside the school environment
The Department of Education made several changes in schools by implementing Covid-19
protocols for students and teachers to adhere to. These protocols’ made schools safer for
teachers and students and allows education to take place within the school environment.
Teachers should set a good example to the community and place emphasis on the
importance of following and abiding by the Covid-19 protocols. Teachers are an essential
part of the community and their role is just as important beyond the classroom. Covid-19 has
given teachers the opportunity to become more connected with the community to assist in
building and forming a strong, skilled and successful student. Covid-19 has shown the
importance of teachers working in collaboration and forming alliances with parents, social
workers, community leaders and other professionals within the community to ensure an
optimal learning environment for all students. Parents were placed in a position to follow and
supervise their children's learning and progress at home. These tasks made them aware of
the complexity of the teaching profession. This led to communities showing more
appreciation of the labour of the teaching profession and how valuable teachers are to our
schools and communities.