PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION 3

RYAN B. BERIDO
Instructor
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. Explain the dimensions of teaching
2. Discuss the reasons why teaching is an
art, science, craft, mission and vocation
3. Explain the reasons why teaching is
considered a profession
4. Enumerate the characteristics of a
profession and how teaching as a profession
fits well in these characteristics
5. Create a career statement highlighting the
reason/s for choosing teaching as a
profession
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Your motives may include:

(1)Love for children,

(2) Desire to impart knowledge,

(3) Interest in and excitement

about teaching and

(4) Desire to perform a valuable

service to society.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Definition of Teaching

Teaching is the process that facilitates learning. The

teacher has an important role to play because he acts as a
catalyst, actively stimulating learning. – Farrant (1980)
Teaching is a cluster of activities that are noted about
teachers such as explaining, deducing, questioning,
motivating, taking attendance, keeping record of works,
learners’ progress and background information. – G. Wells
(1982)
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Definition of Teaching
Teaching is both a process and an end.
Teaching as a process implies taking logical
steps in instructing, causing, guiding and
creating positive change in the learners.
On the other hand, teaching as an end conveys that
it is not a pointless undertaking. It is rather a
purpose driven profession because it has noble
goals to accomplish.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Dimension of Teaching Profession

1. The Why of Teaching (Entering the Profession)
Understanding the “why of teaching” is
important among pre-service or beginning teachers
as it gives them a point of reflection on the very
purpose of entering the teaching profession.

2. The Who of Teaching (Learners)

Teaching profession has the mission to be learner-
centered, pre-service or beginning teachers must have a full
understanding of the learners who are considered the center
of teaching, the main character of learning and the heart of
all educational tasks.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Dimension of Teaching Profession

3. The When of Teaching (Evolution of Teacher Education in
the Philippine)
The 21st century presents a different social
landscape for learners and tis necessitates
changing the mindset of pre-service teachers
in determining what to teach, how to teach and
where to teach.
They should have a sound understanding of the
transition of Philippine education, especially the
historical growth of education as this is essential in
analyzing the educational reforms and the trends of
teaching profession in this country.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Dimension of Teaching Profession

4. The How of Teaching (Pedagogy)

Teachers are required to find means and ways to

enhance learners’ learning.

Applying different teaching strategies is the

professional identity of teachers.

Because they are equipped with varied techniques

and principles of teaching, they present and
discuss things differently.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Dimension of Teaching Profession

5. The What of Teaching (Curriculum)
The curriculum is the roadmap of all the activities of
the school and the ultimate measure of the results
of instruction.

Curriculum ultimately defines what the learners

should learn, how they will learn it, and why they
have to learn it.

Pre-service teachers need a comprehensive

understanding of the curriculum as this is the
basis of all teachers’ actions
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Dimension of Teaching Profession

6. The Where of Teaching (Field Placement)
Teaching and learning take place anywhere at any
time with the advent of technology.

With these changes, pre-service teachers need to

know this dimension of teaching so that they will be
updated of the various alternative venues of
teaching.

This is to guarantee better learning outcomes as

there is due consideration of the learning needs,
interests, circumstances and abilities of the
learners.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Metaphor of Teaching
1. Teaching is an Art
Teachers use teaching as a medium to express
themselves. In teaching, they need to find the methods
and strategies that are best to express their ideas
and beliefs through their art.

The art of teaching is a reflection of the teacher’s

personality, too. To be an effective teacher, one must
formulate a teaching philosophy and discover unique
talents and learn how to use them.

Therefore, the art in teaching coils from the teacher’s

personality, experience and talents.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Metaphor of Teaching
According to Elliott Eisner (2005), there are four (4) reasons that make teaching as an art:

1. Teaching is an art because it can be performed with

such skill and grace that, for learners as for the teacher,
the experience can be justifiably characterized as
aesthetic
2. Teaching is an art because the teachers make
judgments based on qualities that unfold during the
course of action.
3. Teaching is an art because the teacher’s activity is not
dominated by prescriptions or routine, but is influenced by
qualities and contingencies that are unpredicted.
4. Teaching is an art in the sense that the ends it achieves
are often created in the process.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Metaphor of Teaching
2. Teaching as a Craft

Teaching is a craft-profession because teachers

possess specialized techniques in applying rules
governing the application of the theories of
knowledge and the psychology of learning and
teaching.

In teaching, much of the teachers’ knowledge is

something they learn by doing or learned
experientially, rather than acquired in a systematic
and high formal manner.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Metaphor of Teaching
3. Teaching as a Science

Teaching is a science because it is done in

systematic and orderly manner.

The content (theories and principles) and process

(pedagogical approaches) of teaching are not products
of hit and miss.

They are rather the results of research-based

processes and practices promoting learner
achievement.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Metaphor of Teaching
4. Teaching as a Mission

The word mission comes from the Latin word

“mission” which means to send.

If teaching is thus a mission, then teachers are

sent and entrusted to achieve a “task” in this
world.

To perform this task, they need to render their

commitment, obtain adequate preparation or
training, and pursue continuing professional
education.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Metaphor of Teaching
4. Teaching as a Mission
Teaching is indeed your mission:
If you are doing it not only for the pay but also for
service.
If you keep on teaching out of love, it’s a mission.
If you are committed to teaching even if it means letting
go of other activities, it’s a mission
If you remain teaching even though nobody recognizes
your efforts, it’s a mission
It’s almost impossible not to get excited about a mission
If your concern in teaching is success plus faithfulness,
it’s a mission.
A great school is filled with teachers involved in a
mission of teaching.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Metaphor of Teaching
5. Teaching as a Vocation
Vocation comes from the Latin word “vocare” which
means to call.

Teaching therefore is a profession for which God

utilizes a teacher to touch lives.

Teachers are summoned to teach because they have a

strong inclination in partaking in the total formation
and transformation of young people.

It is a self-giving or self- emptying enterprise, allowing

them to partake in the development of humanity.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Metaphor of Teaching
The Best Metaphor for Teacher
1. A teacher is a gardener
2. A teacher is a coach
3. A teacher is a sculptor
4. A teacher is like a doctor
5. A teacher is a compass
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Defining a Profession

The term “profession” comes from the root word

“profess” which means to show, demonstrate or
manifest. Sociology professor,

Andrew Abbott, defines a profession as an

exclusive occupational group that applies
abstract knowledge to particular cases and has
expertise and influence to practice in a given
domain or field.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Defining a Profession

Anyone who holds a profession is called

“professional” who is able to profess expertise or
specialization and a determination for excellence
in the field.

A professional also professes commitment to

public interest and devotion to moral and ethical
values which have been acquired through long
and tough years of preparation.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Defining a Profession
A profession as a vocation or occupation
requiring advanced education and training and
involving intellectual skills. The work is based on
unique knowledge and skills grounded in research
and practice in the field. Customarily, professions
and professionals are answerable to a written
code of ethics like the Code of Ethics for
Professional Teachers. (John Goodland 1984)

A profession is an occupation which performs a

crucial social function. Accomplishing this
function requires a considerable degree of skills
and a body of systematic knowledge that is
grounded on theory.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Characteristics of a Professional
.
A professional is one who professes the
following:
1. A specialized knowledge base (technical
culture)
2. A commitment to meeting client needs
(service ethics)
3. A strong collective identity
(professional commitment)
4. A collegial as against bureaucratic control
over practice and professional standards
(professional autonomy)
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION
Characteristics of a Profession

Professional autonomy .
The right and freedom of professions to determine their own actions
and behavior because they are capable of governing their own members to
submit to the principles and laws that they altogether committed in
practicing their profession.

Autonomy of a Profession:
1. Professional judgment
Teachers manifest autonomy when they have a high degree of control of their own affairs.
This is reflected when making independent judgments about their work.
2. Self-interest and continuous process of critical evaluation
Professionals claim their professional autonomy when they work to serve their own
interests. Nonetheless, professional autonomy can only be ensured if the members of the
profession, subject their activities and decisions to a critical evaluation by other members of the
profession. To realize this, there must be a continuous process of critical evaluation of ethics and
procedures from within the profession itself.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION
Characteristics of a Profession

Professional autonomy .

2. Highly developed theoretical or specialized knowledge

A profession is founded on an extensive period of training and education.
3. Control of training, certification and licensing of new entrants
A new entrant undergoes control of training, certification and licensing. Normally,
aspiring professionals are initially required to enroll in an institutionalized training in a
university or college where knowledge and skills in the field are standardized.
4. Self-governing and self-policing authority, especially with regard to professional
ethics
The professional association acts as an interest group enhancing the status of their
members and controlling the entry requirements to the field.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION
Teaching as a Profession

.
“Teaching should be regarded as a profession since it is a form of public service requiring
teachers’ expert knowledge and specialized skills, acquired and maintained through rigorous
and continuing study; it calls also for a sense of personal and corporate responsibility for the
education and welfare of the pupils in their charge.

It can be concluded that teaching indeed bears the symbols of a true profession.
As a profession, it requires significant, training, talent and expertise.

On the other hand, it is a form of public service because it has altruistic goals or
unselfish regard for devotion to the welfare of others.

People in all societies recognize that teachers are in a position of influence

because they shape the young minds in their communities.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION
Teaching as a Profession
.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) declares teaching as a profession in the Philippines. The
basis is that teachers satisfy the basic requisites of being a professional as follows:
1. They passed the licensure examination for the profession called Board Licensure Examination for
Professional Teachers (BLEPT);
2. They are members of an Accredited Professional Organization (APO) in the country. Specifically,
teachers are members of the National Organization of Professional Teachers (NOPT)
3. Teachers undergo Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by attending or participating in
professional development activities like seminars, workshops, conferences and other activities that
enhance their skills and knowledge in their profession; and
4. Teachers abide by the code of ethics of their profession called the Code of Ethics for Professional
Teachers.
5. University programs are approved by a regulatory body like the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) in the Philippines to ensure that graduates from these recognized programs start their
professional lives with competence
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION
Teaching as a Regulated Profession

Education is a public good demand by people to satisfy their

personal, social and other purposes in life.

Teaching is a highly regulated profession because of the need to

safeguard the rights, welfare, security and morals of the learners
who demand education.

To do this, teachers must possess competence, high level of

performance, and professional conduct in the exercise of their
profession.
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Teaching as a Rewards and Challenges of Teaching Profession

Luring Factors of Teaching as a Profession

1. Influence/importance to learner
2. Job security
3. Wider jobs opportunity offered
4. Diversity of activities
5. Long holidays
6. Shorter hours of work
Lesson 1. UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Hallmarks of the Teaching Profession

1. Ability to make a difference in the lives of learners

2. Joy of working with learners
3. Watching learners rise to the challenge of the subjects
4. The joy of working with people in general and youth in
particular
5. Love of the subject matter