The Teaching Profession
Roles, Dimensions, and Challenges
The Meaning of Teaching
“Teaching is a profession laden with risk and responsibility that requires a
great deal for those who enter into it.” – John 1. Goodlad
INTRODUCTION
The concept of teaching as a profession is essential for future teachers to
understand. A good grasp of the nature, purpose, and mission of the
profession serves as a guide to what they expect from their future career. To
prepare themselves for the gargantuan tasks and challenges of a
professional teacher, they need to master the requirements of the teaching
profession. It has been said that professionals serve humanity through their
professions. Teachers, as professionals, are not an exemption because they
also serve humanity by contributing in nation building and by enhancing the
body of knowledge that are essential for the betterment of this world.
Teachers play very important and demanding tasks in the learners
developmental process. They are more than entrusted with the task of
molding the character of the learners and making them productive members
of society. They represent role models for the learners who are still in their
physical and mental development, especially those who are in their early
stages. If teachers perform their role well, the learners will realize the
importance of the positive traits and values being imparted to them.
Teaching can be defined in various ways, even by educators themselves. The
following definitions can be considered as a basis for discussion:
1. Teaching is an intimate contact between a more mature personality and a
less mature one which is designed to further the education of the latter.
H.C. Morrison (1934)
1. Teaching is defined as an interactive process, primarily involving
classroom talk, which takes place between teacher and pupil and occurs
during certain definable activities. – Edmund Amidon (1967)
2. Teaching is a system of actions involving an agent, an end in view, and a
situation, including two sets of factors those over which the agent has no
control (class size, size of classroom, physical characteristics of pupil etc.)
and those that he can modify such as a way of asking questions or ideas
gleaned. B.O. Smith (1969)
1. Teaching is a task of a teacher, which is performed for the development of
a child. T.F. Green (1971).
2. 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)
3. 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)
TEACHING AS PROCESS AND PURPOSE
One can surmise from the foregoing definitions that teaching is both a
process and an end.
As a process, a procedure is required in undertaking it.
As an end, there is a purpose or reason for conducting it.
DIMENSIONS OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION
1. THE WHY OF TEACHING (ENTERING THE PROFESSION) The reasons for
choosing teaching as a career are diverse, ranging from the most sublime to
the most superfluous. One may be motivated to become a teacher because
he/she loves children or he/she likes to make a big difference in the lives of
these children. It may also happen that one likes to enjoy more vacation time
as teachers enjoy two-month summer leave – a privilege which is not
enjoyed by other professionals.
2. THE WHO OF TEACHING (LEARNERS) Learners are the reasons for the
existence of teachers, schools, and school administrators. Without learners,
none of these would exist. Pre-service teachers must have a full grasp of the
nature of the learners such as their differences, motivations, learning styles,
intelligences, socio-cultural backgrounds, and academic performance.
3. THE WHEN OF TEACHING (EVOLUTION OF TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE
PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES) Teaching is an evolving profession. It has its early
beginning and it is continually changing over time. The 21 st century presents
a different social landscape for learners and this necessitates changing the
mindset of pre-service teachers in determining what to teach, how to teach,
and where to teach.
4. THE HOW OF TEACHING (PEDAGOGY) Teachers are required to find means
and ways to enhance learners learning . They become subject tacticians if
they have a rich repertoire of teaching strategies. Applying different teaching
strategies is the professional identity of teachers. Because they are equipped
with varied techniques and principles of teaching, teachers present and
discuss things differently.
ROLES OF TEACHER
TEACHER AS A PERSON
Passes the quality of an effective teacher:
Come to class prepared
Maintain positive attitude about teaching and about students
Hold high expectations for all students
Show creativity in teaching the class
Treat and grades students fairly
Display a personal; approachable touch with stuents
Cultivate a sense of belonging in the classroom
Deal with students problems compassionately
Have a sense of humor and did not take everything seriously
Respect students and do not deliberately embarrassed them
Forgiving and do not hold grudges
Admit mistakes
TEACHER AS A PROFESSIONAL
ELEMENTS OF PROFESSION
1. INITIAL PROFESSION EDUCATION
Professionals generally begin professional lives by completing a
university program in their chosen fields teacher education,
engineering, nursing, accountancy. This means long and arduous years
of preparation. Take note that, this is just initial, which means only the
beginning because a professional is expected to learn endlessly.
2. ACCREDITATION
Programs 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.
3. LICENSING
It is mandatory, not voluntary and is administered by a government
authority. In the Philippines, this government authority is the
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
5. PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
Professionals see themselves as part of a community of like-minded
individuals who put their professional standards above the individual
self-interest or their employer’s self-interest. Professional societies
define certification criteria, manage certification programs, establish
accreditation standards and define a code of ethics and disciplinary
action for violations of that code.
6. CODE OF ETHICS
Each profession has a code of ethics to ensure that its practitioners
behave responsibly. The code states what professionals should do.
Professionals can be ejected from their professional societies or lose
their licenses to practice for violating the code of ethics. The teaching
profession is governed by the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers.
Violation of the Code of Ethics for professional teachers is one of the
grounds for the revocation of the professional teacher’s Certificate
Registration and suspension from the practice of the teaching
profession.
TEACHER AS A COMMUNITY LEADER AND SOCIAL ADVOCATE
A great leader who focus on shared decision making,
collaboration, and community building. She/ he provides
apportunities for each student to assume leadership roles.
Actively participate in community movements for the betterment
of the community
Establish learning environment that respond to the end of
community by participating in community activities that promote
learning
Use community Networks to publicize school events and
achievement
Maintains stature and conduct that upholds the dignity of
teaching
TEACHER AS A MODEL OF CHARACTER
Empowers and motivates you to develop your potential to the fullest
and see the best I yourself
Shows respect to your ideas and opinions allowing you to freely
express your thoughts and feelings. This teacher sets an example for
you to learn to respect and listen to the other people.
Set a model to use constructive criticism and advice as an opportunity
to grow as an educator.
Majid, R. A., Ali, M. M., & Alias, A. (2014) identified five important
themes on exemplary teacher’s characteristics:
A teacher who motivates
A teacher who has futuristic outlook
A teacher who makes their students feel important
A teacher who is passionate about his/her subject
A teacher who has the agenda to shape the students’ attitude
TEACHER AS AN EXPERT
According to Hatthe, (2003) expert teachers
[Link] identify essential representations of their subjectis)
2. Can guide learning through classroom interactions
3. Can monitor learning and provide feedback
4. Can attend to affective attributes
5. Confluence student outcomes