The Teaching

Profession
a

ED 8

ELIZABETH C. YTAC
Social Studies Instructor

You may contact me thru the following accounts:

Email address: elizabethytac09@[Link]

Messenger account: Elizabeth Ytac

 Republic of the Philippines
PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY PSU-QUEZON CAMPUS
CCRD-QUEZON
Quezon, Palawan

Chapter
THE TEACHER AS A PERSON IN THE SOCIETY

Overview

The particular focus of this chapter is to explore significant literatures and theories in understanding the
personal traits and values as well as important needs, rights, and roles of teachers in the society. The
chapter includes activities that will provide good insights and perspectives about the human side of the
teaching profession. It allows us to critically reflect on relevant practices and issues of teachers. These
Will help us gain better understanding and embrace our calling as teachers.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify several roles performed by teachers in the society
2. Discuss the values of teachers as community leaders
3. Appreciate the role of teachers in the society

Individual Person

Family
T
Professional
E
A
Community Leader C
Community
and Social Advocate
H
E
Model of Good
R
Character
School

Expert

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 Republic of the Philippines
PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY PSU-QUEZON CAMPUS
CCRD-QUEZON
Quezon, Palawan

The key to understanding the teaching profession is to know the personal and professional lives of
teachers. First, it is important for us to understand that teachers are products of the family where they belong.
The family values and the home environment that shaped their beliefs, character, and personal values are
reflected in their personality, values, and personal philosophy. Second, we need to recognize that teachers
are also shaped by the society where the live. The society’s culture values, norms, religion, and environment
are influential in shaping their life as an individual and a professional. Teachers are servant leaders in their
own community. They are beacons of light to all people whom they encounter. Third, it is already a fact
that the schools they attended are also contributory to the development of their expertise, talents,
knowledge, skills, and educational philosophy.

A. The Teacher as an Individual Person

Understanding the Teaching Profession requires deeper appreciation of the lives of teachers as
individuals in society. Teachers are given high regard in society for the multiple roles they perform
aside from teaching. As society becomes more complex and its values become more pluralistic, the
areas of responsibility for teachers become wider (Pelletier, 2004). Hence, teacher education institutions
(TEIs) should embrace the challenge of preparing teachers who will soon carry the task of preparing the
young generation to meet the different challenges brought by an ever-changing world. This will prepare
them to become effective professionals in all tasks in various communities where they will be assigned
to serve.
Cohen, Manion, and Morrison (1996) pointed out that teaching is more than just a simple job. Some
people, especially those who choose it to be their profession, regard teaching as a higher calling and a
commitment to make positive changes in society and in the lives of all people they teach. Teachers are
modern heroes and heroines. They are servant leaders, knowledge providers, and community organizers.
It is then important to understand the life of a teacher as an individual person.

1. Teacher Have Different Talents and Skills

It is always desirable for teachers to possess various skills and talents that they can use and share as
they perform their teaching tasks. For example, teachers with musical talents are great assets. They
can organize a school choral group and integrate musical experiences in the classroom instruction.
Some teachers are also good in various types of performing arts. They organize theater groups, teach
different dance forms and other performing arts. Those who possess talents in visual arts are also
valuable in making visual aids and in integrating art-driven activities in the classroom.

In terms of skills, many teachers are very creative in designing classroom environments and in
organizing school activities. They master the art of selecting instructional methods and strategies

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 Republic of the Philippines
PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY PSU-QUEZON CAMPUS
CCRD-QUEZON
Quezon, Palawan

appropriate for their students. They are skillful in improvising different types of teaching devices
and other instructional materials.

These special talents and skills that teachers are blessed with are useful in fulfilling their noble task
of molding the minds and character of future generations of leaders, professionals, and responsible
citizens. A creative way to describe the talents and skills of a teacher is a simple written piece about
"The Body Parts of a Teacher."
a. Brain—to always think critically and creatively
b. Eyes—to see the individual needs, strength, and nature of each student
c. Ears —to listen to students' ideas and concerns
d. Hands — to guide students and show the right direction
e. Heart— to love all students regardless of who and what they are
f. Mouth —to speak the truth, discuss knowledge, and speak wisdom to students
g. Feet — to walk with students, explore the surroundings, and discover new knowledge and
information
h. Nose — to breathe deeply and relax when feeling tired or pressured

2. Teachers Have Different Needs

Teachers have needs to be fulfilled every day. They have emotional, social, spiritual, physical, and
economic needs, but many times, their call to duty make them set aside their individual needs.
During the night and weekends, teachers are still obliged to make their lesson plans, check papers,
and accomplish other school forms and reports, among other things. Hence, they end up sacrificing
their own needs in order to serve. It must be known, however, that teachers need time to relax, rest,
and enjoy with their families.
Teachers have economic needs. In television and newspapers, we hear about teachers joining rallies
to increase their salaries and to fight for their rights. This is because the salary they receive is not
tantamount to the enormous tasks they have to do inside and outside school. While teaching is not
a profession that will make someone rich, teachers also need money to sustain their daily needs and
to feed their own families.
Teachers need security and justice. Some teachers suffer from the perils of injustice. Some are
victims of kidnapping by lawless groups while some are victims of school officials, too. At times,
they are forced to buy products sold by their superiors or buy gifts for them during Christmas and
birthdays. Their promotions are sometimes tainted by giving lavish gifts and other favors to their
superiors rather than by the merit of their performance. Teachers need to be free from all the stress
of school politics.

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 Republic of the Philippines
PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY PSU-QUEZON CAMPUS
CCRD-QUEZON
Quezon, Palawan

Teachers need to be recognized and appreciated to boost their morale and self- esteem. This does
not mean they want appreciation for the services they render. It only means that people must be
more understanding of the life and duty of a teacher. The school should provide them with a
nurturing environment that allows individual and professional growth. The school should also
recognize the outstanding works and commitments of teachers. Given these, the best reward for
a teacher, however, is to see his/her former students succeed in their profession.
Teachers need spiritual support. The tasks of a teacher are heavy to bear considering all the
demands of their job and all the unnecessary stress they experience. Every day, they are molding
the minds of the next generation's leaders and citizens. In doing these tasks, teachers need some
form of spiritual guidance and inspiration regardless of their religion.
Teachers need role clarity. Another recurring need of teachers has been to identify the various roles
he/she has to perform, to explore how clear the expectations for each role are (role clarity), and to
understand possible tensions between different roles (role conflict). Often times, many teachers are
surprised about the roles, duties, and expectations they have to perform inside and outside the
classroom. These tasks range from teaching, serving as role models, and dealing with various
individuals and social institutions.
Teachers have social needs. They need to socialize in society to know people and understand the
social realities experienced by students every day. As an agent of society, teachers need to have
good relationship with other social agencies and groups. They need to build good relationship with
families, community leaders, and other professionals.
Teachers need to cope with various challenges and changes. The teaching profession requires
teachers to respond to different challenges and changes brought by information technology,
changing social values system, economic challenges, and cultural diversity. Changes can provide
opportunities to innovate and can act as an important catalyst for a critical reflection of established
practices. However, changes may also cause unprecedented stress to teachers. They need to have
better understanding of the diversity of learners in terms of learning styles, thinking preferences,
needs, interests, socio-economic status, and other diversity factors related to learners. These will
require teachers to develop new leadership, pedagogical, and social skills.

3. Teachers Have Individual Rights

All human beings are entitled to enjoy specific rights. These human rights are enshrined in the
United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in Article IlI of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution. As an individual, every teacher is entitled to enjoy all human rights identified by the
state.
In their work, labor laws ensure that their employers give their privileges and fair treatment in
doing their duties. Their status as employees is protected by a system granting them permanency
status or tenure. The Manual of Regulations for Private School Teachers and the Magna Carta for

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 Republic of the Philippines
PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY PSU-QUEZON CAMPUS
CCRD-QUEZON
Quezon, Palawan

Public School Teachers also guarantee that all teachers enjoy their rights and ensure justice in the
conduct of their duties as professionals. They are free to organize or join any professional
organizations that will help them grow professionally. They enjoy freedom of expression that
guarantees their voices and opinions to be heard and respected. For tertiary faculty members, they
enjoy academic freedom that enables them to do research and publish their scholarly works and
opinions. The rights of professional teachers specified by R.A. 232, R.A. 7836, and the Code of
Ethics for Professional Teachers are further discussed in the last chapter of this course.
Often times, teachers are also among the most common victims of human rights violations. It
is unfortunate that some teachers are victims of unfair labor practices and abuse of authority by
some school officials. Teachers from conflict areas are also victims of kidnapping and other forms
of abuses.
As individuals, teachers have the right to enjoy a dignified life. A life that is free from any
forms of threat and danger. They are entitled to be protected by the state from any form of
lawlessness. Article XIII Section 1 to Section 3 of the Philippine Constitution enshrine the
commitment of the state to ensure social justice, human rights, and labor rights of each individual
that includes teachers.

B. The Teacher as a Professional

By virtue Of Republic Act 7836, amended by Republic Act 9293, teaching was professionalized
and thereby requiring teachers to take the Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET). As professionals,
teachers are bound to perform specific duties to the society specially to schools and students guided by
a professional code of ethics.
Teaching is always regarded as a vocation by many people. However, the government deemed
it necessary to recognize teaching as a profession giving the highest regard to teachers as professionals.
This does not in any way make teaching a profession or a job to earn money but it enables us to regard
teaching in a grand manner, a noble profession for individuals who are willing to dedicate their lives
and services in the development of future citizens and leaders of the country.
The following are the 7 R's that professional teachers need to do and to learn as professionals.
• Remember to perform your duties with high degree of professionalism. A teacher should not
allow his or her integrity to be destroyed due to personal greed and bad politics. Teachers should
avoid cheating their students' grades and practice favoritism in their classes.
• Respond to the needs of each student with utmost level of concern to the welfare and well-being
of each student.
• Recognize that as professionals, you must continuously seek professional career advancements
through joining professional associations, attending continuing education activities for teachers,
and doing graduate studies.

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 Republic of the Philippines
PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY PSU-QUEZON CAMPUS
CCRD-QUEZON
Quezon, Palawan

• Reawaken your passion and sense of mission to serve all types of learners regardless of their
religion, socio-economic status, gender, race, intellectual ability, and learning modalities.
• Renew your commitment to help each learner to learn in order to have a better future. A teacher
must believe that each learner can have a good future if he/she equips each learner with the right
knowledge and skills that each learner may use in the future.
• Re-evaluate your attitudes towards students and your work ethics.
• Relearn, learn, and unlearn many things to keep you updated with new knowledge and
information. A teacher must be always active in the business of life-long learning.
Currently, there are also few teachers who are not behaving professionally. There are teachers who
are facing legal cases for sexual harassment and other forms of abuses against students. There are also
some who receive money in order to give honors and other awards to undeserving students. There are
news of teachers trying to buy their tenure and promotions by giving gifts and other forms of favors to
education officials. We witness some news of teachers who are involved in extra-marital relationships.
There is also a general observation that some teachers have very low content knowledge in the subjects
they are teaching. These acts deconsecrate teaching as a noble profession.
Amidst these frustrating facts, still there are many Filipino teachers who are doing their best to live
as outstanding professionals and citizens. A number of teachers in various levels are recipients of
various awards and recognitions such as the Metro Bank Award for Outstanding Teachers, the Central
Bank Guro ng Pag-asa Award, and other awards from various institutions of the society.
There are also many unsung heroes and heroines among the teaching population especially those
who are assigned to teach in local and indigenous communities. These teachers are the volunteer and
mobile teachers who have dedicated their lives in order to help students learn and develop. Many of
them are dedicated and committed in performing their sacred duty to help students become functionally
literate and be responsible citizens.

C. The Teacher as a Community Leader and Social Advocate

Educators play an important role in the development of people and communities. Jan and Ed Philpot
(1994) concretized this idea by encouraging a stronger link between home, school, and community
through effective programs developed and implemented by teachers. The life of a teacher is neither
confined in the four corners of the classroom nor limited inside the school campus for a teacher is an
active leader in the community.
Teachers always take leadership roles in their communities especially in activities and projects related
to the education and welfare of young children. They also provide leadership roles in various cultural
development programs in their communities. Finally, teachers provide technical and professional
assistance in the local communities where they belong.
To illustrate these, know that in many local government units especially in the barangay, teachers are
part of the local community's Committee on Child Protection, Education and Welfare. They help the

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 Republic of the Philippines
PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY PSU-QUEZON CAMPUS
CCRD-QUEZON
Quezon, Palawan

community in implementing certain provisions of Republic Act 7610 known as the "Special Protection
of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act." They represent the local schools in
their area to develop an education plan and welfare programs for young children protected under this
law.
Furthermore, teachers give advice on education matters and they serve as leaders and organizers of
community activities for children, women, and youth. PE teachers serve as coaches to sports events and
teaching cultural presentations like songs and dances. Some teachers serve as judges to competitions
while others are elected as officers to community-based organizations. Teachers are always active in
performing many leadership roles in the community where they belong.
Teachers also serve as advocates for quality education, protection and welfare of children and youth,
promotion of literacy, human rights, wellness and health, justice, and many other concerns. They
support free and honest elections, they help people understand the effects of irresponsible use of
resources, and they advocate values formation in the community. In many places, we see teachers as
freedom fighters organizing various members of the community to sustain the dignity of life.

D. The Teacher as a Model of Good Character

Since ancient times, teachers are recognized as exemplars of good character, attitude, and values. They
are keepers of values and traditions of different cultures around the world. Many people consider them
as prophets, spiritual leaders, and great mentors. For Christians, Jesus is the perfect kind of teacher and
leader to emulate. For the Chinese, the teachings and values of Confucius are always put in a very high
regard. The Prophet Muhammad is also the most influential teacher-leader for the Muslims. The life
and teachings of Buddha are also very influential among the Buddhists. Plato and Aristotle are regarded
as great teachers during their time in Greece. These model teachers used their good nature and character
to influence people. They stand on their principles and beliefs, and they faithfully perform their duties
at all times.
Currently, we still see many teachers exemplifying good values and character. In the international scene,
we see that many Nobel Laureates and Pulitzer Award Winners are teachers in higher education. In the
Philippines, some of the recipients of Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) and Ten Outstanding
Women in Nation's Service (TOWNS) are also teachers. Every year, we hear news about outstanding
teachers from basic education to tertiary education levels.
There are also many teachers who are exemplars of good character who remain doing their duties with
humility and excellence. They may have neither received any award nor recognition but still have
excelled in their fields. They continuously influence the lives of many students who came to learn under
their care and they extend their time to teach and touch the lives of their learners. They are good mentors
and they are dedicated professionals who work not for an award or recognition but for their passion to
touch the lives and to shape the future of their learners.

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 Republic of the Philippines
PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY PSU-QUEZON CAMPUS
CCRD-QUEZON
Quezon, Palawan

In many places, we also hear and read stories of successful individuals attributing their successes in life
due to the influence and nurturing character of great teachers. This simply shows that amidst the ups
and downs of teacher qualities, the society has never stopped producing great teachers who continue to
serve as models and molders for students across generations.

E. The Teacher as an Expert

Since ancient times, teachers are recognized as sources of wisdom and information in every society.
Aside from teaching, they serve as guides, counselors, judges, and spiritual leaders in the society.
Through the knowledge they share, they attract attention from many students and individuals. They are
given prominent positions in royal courts, giving expert opinions and advise to kings and other
community leaders. They enjoy political influence in every community where they belong in the history
of mankind.
Though teachers no longer hold any political power today, still, there are many teachers who are known
experts in many fields and disciplines. Their ideas penetrated all aspects of life through the wisdom,
knowledge, values, and skills they shared to their students who became leaders and citizens in all
generations.
The need for teachers to be experts in various fields in the academe serves the purpose to prepare
students to respond to myriads of challenges brought by the 21st Century. Shulman (1987) tried to
organize important domains of knowledge that are important for teachers:
1. Knowledge in content — Teachers should know the subject matter they teach.
2. Pedagogical content knowledge — It represents a perfect blend of content and pedagogy into
a framework for understanding how subjects, topics, and lessons are organized into instruction.
It simply means teachers should master the subject they are teaching and they should know how
to teach it effectively.
3. Knowledge about learners — This is the idea of the different learning styles, thinking styles,
and educational needs of the learners.
4. General pedagogical knowledge — This includes general theories and principles of teaching. In
addition, these are general pedagogical principles that are applicable to any classroom situation
and in any teaching and learning context.
5. Knowledge of educational contexts — Educational context may focus on the cultural,
economic, political, and education context that shape and influence education.
6. Curriculum knowledge — This is about the knowledge of innovations, curriculum designs,
curriculum materials, assessment, and the curriculum process.
7. Knowledge of educational ends, purposes, and values — This is the understanding of the
principles, theories, and purposes of education to have deep appreciation of the enduring values
of education.

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 Republic of the Philippines
PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY PSU-QUEZON CAMPUS
CCRD-QUEZON
Quezon, Palawan

Teachers play an important role in the total educational system of any country. The expertise of teachers
in content and in pedagogy is contributory to their immense task of molding the mind and character of
every individual person who become their students.
The knowledge they instilled in the minds of their students will always be useful and relevant in
everyday life. As experts in different areas, teachers need to possess the 4 C's.
• Creativity—a cognitive ability to think outside the box, to develop new ideas, to possess
outstanding talent, and to lead effectively. It is also a capacity to innovate.
• Critical Thinking — a cognitive ability and capacity to think critically in solving problems,
making decisions, and in processing ideas.
• Commitment — a passion to make a difference in the lives of each learner.
• Character — an exemplar of positive values.

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.
-Henry Adams

• Teaching is a mission that requires creativity, commitment, and great passion.

• Teaching will remain to be the noblest profession in the history of humankind.
• Great men and women whose names are written in history are products of great
teachers.
• Teachers are models of positive values and professionalism.
• Teachers need to develop content and pedagogical expertise in order to perform
effectively in various tasks assigned to them.
• Teachers are social advocates in the community where they belong.
• Teachers are community leaders.
• Teachers need to possess professional and personal integrity.

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