THE TEACHING PROFESSION (PED 102)

MODULE 2 LESSON 2

THE DEMANDS OF SOCIETY FROM THE TEACHER AS A PERSON

 LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Explain the demands of society from the teacher as a person
2. Cite the personal qualities that a professional teacher should possess.

 INTRODUCTION:
“I am only a teacher!” Often times, this is what we hear when a teacher
introduces herself/himself amidst a group of professionals like doctors, lawyers,
nurses, accountants, engineers, etc. And yet, admittedly, so much is expected or
demanded of a teacher. More than any other professional, teachers are
subjected to scrutiny to the minutest detail by those they associate with.
Teachers are judged more strictly than other professionals. When a teacher fails
to meet expectations of the public, like when she wears an ultra mini skirt or fails
to pay debt on time, the remark from the scrutinizing eye of the public is “teacher
pa man din,” (to think that he/she is a teacher).
What are the demands of the teaching profession from the teacher as a
person? This can be re-stated as “what personal qualities or attributes of
teachers are demanded by the teaching profession” or “what personal traits must
a teacher possess in order to function well as a professional teacher?”
Referring to the professional teacher, the Code of Ethics gives big words
like “possesses dignity and reputation, with high moral values… adheres to,
observes and practices a set of ethical and moral principles, standards, and
values.”

 ACTIVITY: Please answer this question

Who is your most memorable teacher who had the greatest impact on
your life? Write them down.

 ANALYSIS: Let’s Analyze

1. “I cannot hear what you are saying because who you are speaks louder
than what you say.” How do you relate this to the personal life of a teacher?

 ABSTRACTION: Let’s Add to What You Know

The qualities of your favorite teachers may not be very far from one another.
Let’s compare them with the twelve (12) characteristics of an effective teachers
gathered from a fifteen-year longitudinal, qualitative study on more than one
thousand essays of teacher education students. (Walker, Robert J. Twelve

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 Characteristics of an Effective Teacher: Longitudinal, Qualitative, Quasi-
research Study of In-Service and Pre-Service Teachers:
1. Prepared – come to class each day ready to teach
2. Positive – have optimistic attitudes about teaching and about students
3. Hold high expectations – set no limits on students and believe
everyone can be successful
4. Creative – are resourceful and inventive in how they teach their
classes
5. Fair – handle students and grading fairly
6. Display a personal touch – approachable
7. Cultivate a sense of belonging – have a way to make students feel
welcome and comfortable in their classrooms
8. Compassionate – are concerned about students’ personal problems
and can relate to them and their problems
9. Have a sense of humor – make learning fun and do not take everything
seriously
10. Respect students – do not deliberately embarrass students; teachers
who give the highest respect get the highest respect
11. Forgiving – do not hold grudges
12. Admit mistakes – quick to admit being wrong

These twelve traits of good teachers are the same traits given by the
students of these writers every time they asked various classes to list
down traits of effective teachers. The most common word given is caring.
A caring teacher is fair. He/She displays a personal touch and so is
approachable. He/she feels with his/her students and so is
compassionate. He/she is forgiving, does not keep grudges against
learners. He/she is humble enough to admit mistakes.

Because he/she cares, goes to class prepared. He/she believes in

his/her students and so sets high expectations. He/she cares that students
learn and so makes learning fun by injecting humor. His/her genuine care
for learners is grounded on his/her great respect for every learner.

Professionalism

Professionalism is something demanded of teachers both as professionals and as

persons. Professionalism is succinctly described in Article XI of the Code of Ethics for
Professional Teachers, to wit:

Section 1. A teacher shall live with dignity at all times.

Section 2. A teacher shall place a premium upon self-respect and self-discipline as

the principle of personal behavior in relationships with others and in all situations.

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 Section 3. A teacher shall maintain at all times a dignified personality which could
serve as model worthy of emulation by learners, peers and others.

Section 4. A teacher shall always recognize the Almighty God or being as guide of
his own destiny and of the destinies of men and nations.

The Code of Ethics for public school teachers adopted in Section 7 of Republic
Act 4670 cites integrity as one essential trait of a professionalism teacher. This is given
below:

A. INTEGRITY: Since the teacher’s work is not confined merely to the

development of certain fundamental skills and abilities encompassed by
the teaching of 3R’s but also includes the development of desirable habits
and attitudes that go into the formation of character, his manner of living
should provide a worthy example for his pupils and students to emulate for
his fellow teachers to be proud of, and for the community to feel as being
enriched by it.
The personal traits cited above as attributes expected of teachers
as persons are all included in the big words – live with dignity, “”premium
on self-respect and self-discipline,” “model, worthy of emulation” found in
the Code of Ethics of Professional Teachers. They are not only personal
traits, they are also professional traits expected of a teacher. In one word,
these are all manifestations of professionalism, the hallmark of a
professional.

 APPLICATION: Let’s Apply What You Learned

1. Read this poem “You Are a Teacher” then answer the questions below:

You Are a Teacher

If I speak interestingly, effectively, and well,

But do not understand my students
I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I know of the methods and techniques of teaching,
If I have complete faith that they will work,
So that I use them completely,
But think only of materials or techniques instead of how they can help my
students,
I count for nothing.
If I go the second mile in my teaching,
Give up many activities,
But do it without understanding,

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 It does no good.
Love is very patient, very kind;
Love is not jealous, it does not put on airs;
It is never tyrannic, never;
Yet does insist on truth;
It does not become angry;
It is not resentful.
Love always expects the best of others;
It is gladdened when they live up to these expectations,
Slow to lose faith when they do not.
It will bear anything,
Hope for anything,
Endure anything.
This kind of love will never fail
If there are teaching methods, they will change;
If there are curricula, they will be revised.
For our knowledge is imperfect,
And we are always looking for the better ways
Which an infinite God has placed ahead of us.
When I began to teach, I fumbled and failed;
Now I have put away some of my childish ways.
At present I am learning a bit;
But if I keep on seeking, I shall at last understand
As all along I myself have been understood.
So faith, hope and love endure.
These are the great three
But the greatest of them is love.

Which line of the poem do you like most? Why?

What mental portrait of the teacher in the classroom and the teacher in the community
is painted by the poem, “You Are a Teacher?”

2. Read your name through the poem like this: Brenda, You are a Teacher.

If Brenda speaks interestingly, effectively and well

But does not understand her students
Brenda is a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
Read until “it is not resentful.”

Call on other students to read their names through the lines of the poem.

3. How did you feel when you read your name through the lines of the poems?
Describe and explain why.

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 4. This is how one describes professionalism:

“You have to perform at a consistently higher level than others.

That’s the mark of a true professional. Professionalism has nothing to do
with getting paid for your services.”

State professionalism in a sentence by stating one concrete act of

professionalism.

e.g. Professionalism is doing my work to the best of my ability even when

nobody is looking.

Professionalism is _______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________.

 SUMMARY:
To be effective in the teaching profession, teachers must possess personal
traits such as caring, forgiving, fair and compassionate, and so display a
personal touch for all students. Caring teachers make everyone feels he/she
belongs. They are humble enough to admit mistakes. All of these personals traits
emanate from teachers’ genuine respect for others. The trait professionalism
catches all the personal qualities expected of teachers.

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING

1. Which teacher’s personal trait is demonstrated if he is gender-sensitive and

inclusive in his ways? – Understanding

A. Fairness C. Passion
B. Sense of Humor D. Motivation
2. Teacher A claims she cares for students? Which is/are a manifestation of
genuine care? – Analysis
I. Knows students
II. Create a favorable learning atmosphere
III. Maintains professional distance with students

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 A. I and III C. I and III
B. II and III D. I, II and III

RESEARCH CONNECTION

Conduct a meta-analysis of researches on the qualities of a good teacher.

Problem Research Methodology

Source: (bibliography
entry format)

Findings Conclusions

SYNAPSE STRENGTHENERS

1. Between the professional and personal qualities of a teacher, which ones are
perceived to be more important? Is there really such a thing as more
important than the other?
2. Give the poem “You are a Teacher” a tune then sing it; Choreograph it and
send in the GC. This is an individual activity.

REFLECTION

Of the personal attributes of a professional teacher, which do you have most?

Which should you develop more?

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References:

1. Bilbao, P.P.; Corpuz, B.B.; Llagas, A.T.; and Salandanan G.G.. (2018) The
Teaching Profession 4th Edition. Lorimar Publishing, Inc. Quezon City, metro
Manila, Philippines.
2. Jao, A. M. (2017) The Teaching Profession. Jimczyville Publications, Malabon
City, Metro manila, Philippines.
3. Pawilen, G.T. (2019) The Teaching Profession (Passion and Mission) 2nd
Edition. Rex Bookstore, Inc. Manila, Philippines.
4. Sarandi D.a. and Babao, M.R. (2019)Teachin Profession in the 20th Century.
Mindshapers Co. Inc. Recoletos St., Manila, Philippines

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