Teaching as a Mission, a

Vocation, and as a Profession

Remember:

• 1. Personal and Professional qualities are two distinguishing characteristics of

an effective teacher.
• 2. Personal qualities cover a teacher’s philosophy, interests, attitudes, beliefs,
emotional maturity and his interrelations with those people around him.
• 3. Professional qualities refer to his knowledge of the subject matter,
understanding of psychological and educational principles, theories and
concepts, the pedagogical methods and strategies as well as his high regard
and appreciation to the teaching profession.
• 4. One’s philosophy of education reveals what he believes on the human
person, the learners in particular as well as what is true and good that need
to be taught.
Your philosophy of education is your window
to the world and compass in your life.
• It is your own thought and formulation, never formulated for you by
another person. You are advised to begin stating it with the phrase…”I
believe…”
Teaching as a Mission…
1. from Latin term 'mission’ which means to send;
2. an important assignment carried out for political, religious, or
commercial purposes typically involving travel;
3. a task that is regarded as a very important duty;
4. an important goal or purpose that is accompanied by strong
conviction; a calling or vocation;
5. defines what an organization Is, why it exists, its reasons for being.
Teaching is a task entrusted to you in this world. If it is an assigned
task, you’ve got to prepare yourself for it. It begins in your teaching
training years. You are equipped with knowledge, skills, and attitude to
become an effective teacher.
Therefore…
Teaching calls for a continuing Professional education…as the saying
goes..”once a teacher, forever a student!”.
Teaching as a Vocation…
• 1. from the Latin term 'vocare’ meaning ‘to call’
• 2. it may be a call to do something like to teach, to heal the sick
• 3. whatever is our calling or station in life, the call is always ‘to serve’
4.if there is a call, there must be a caller and someone who is called
must respond
Activity 2.3
• Read the poem- Teaching: Mission and/ or a Job

• If you are doing it only because you are paid for it, it’s a job;
• If you are doing it not only for the pay but also for service, it’s a mission.
• If you quit because your boss or colleague criticized you, it’s a job
• If you keep on teaching out of love, it’s a mission.
• If you teach because it does not interfere with your other activities, it’s is a
job
• .If you are committed to teaching even if it means letting go of other
activities, it’s s a mission.
• If you quit because no one praises or thanks you for what you do, it’s a job.
• If you remain teaching even though nobody recognizes your efforts, it’s a mission.
• It’s s hard to get excited about a teaching job
• It’s almost impossible not to get excited about a mission.
• If our concern is success, it’s a job.
• If our concern in teaching is success plus faithfulness in our job. Teaching is a
mission.
• An average school is filled by teachers doing their teaching job;
• A great school is filled with teachers involved in a mission of teaching
Adapted from Ministry or Job by Anna Sandberg
The Teacher as an Individual Person
• 1. Teaching is a ‘Package deal’.
• 2. Teaching is more than just a simple job(Cohen, Manion. Morrison. 1996)
• 1. a higher calling and a commitment to make positive change in the
society and in the ?Ives of all people
• 2. modern heroes, servant leaders, knowledge pRoviders and community
organizer
• 3. Have different talents and skills

4. Good in various types of performing arts

• 5. Making visual aids and all kinds of instructional materials
The Body Parts of a Teacher
• Brain – to think critically and creatively
• Eyes – to see the individual. Eeds, strength and nature of each student
• Ears- to listen to students’ ideas and concern
• Hands,- to guide students and show them the right direction
• Heart – to love all the students regardless of who and what they are
• Mouth- to speak the truth, discuss knowledge and speak wisdom to students
• Feet- to walk with the students, explore the surroundings and discover new
knowledge and jnformation
• Nose- to breathe deeply and relax when feeling tired and pressured