FElec 2​- ​Principles and Methods of Teaching

MODULE 1: THE TEACHER AND

THE TEACHING PROFESSION
Week 1

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This module presents an overview of the teaching profession, what teaching is all
about, teaching as a mission and profession, and the teacher as a person.

I. OBJECTIVES. Specifically, after working on this module, you should be able to

do the following:

1. define teaching according to different contexts

2. construct own definition of teaching
3. Formulate a concrete statement of a personal mission to teach that
would guide you in your exercise of the teaching profession.

I. Introduction

The Teaching Profession: An Overview

Ever since, teaching has been regarded as a noble profession. It is one

which can be rewarding and fulfilling no matter what the odds are, especially for
people who regard it as a calling, more than a commitment. Great teachers recite
a litany of rewards most of which are invisible to the eyes but are the most
essential. The concept of teaching has remained strong through the years, but it
has been accentuated by the need for meeting the challenges of time, which can
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be addressed through quality teaching. A working teacher must know what

teaching is since his concept of teaching guides his behavior. His understanding
of teaching serves as a guide to all activities he and his learners

II. Discussion
What is teaching?
● Teaching is a process or set of actions to induce learning and eventually to
succeed in learning. This definition stresses the need for planning for
teaching, the process of teaching and the achievement aspect which means
it is a deliberate process, it does not just happen.
● T​eaching is an organized, purposeful and deliberate efforts designed to
bring certain desirable ends in an individual.
Learning is the expected end of teaching in a school setting.
Learning occurs when the learners’ educational experiences elicit a
transformation of consciousness that leads to a greater
understanding of and care for self, others, and the community
(world and local)
❖ Teaching and learning are two aspects of the process called Education.
Hence, teaching has always been directed at learning.
● Some view that teaching is both an art and a science.
● It is an art because it calls for the exercise of talent such as creativity
and resourcefulness to deal skillfully and promptly with new
situations and difficulties.
● It is a science for it involves a systematic and organized system of
procedures, strategies, techniques and mental skill in the attainment
of knowledge and information that will equip the learners for a
better life.
● Teaching has always been thought of as one of the noblest of professions,
and, a teacher, likewise one of the noblest human beings. It is believed that
an individual possessed with a noble heart, ​will be willing to assume a great
responsibility to society the development of good citizens, the inculcation in
and cultivation of the mind, the heart, and the soul of the youth, the love of
beauty, goodness and truth.
● Teaching demands a total commitment to total transformation of the
learner, a continuous development of his potentials for a totally satisfying
life as a person and as a member of the community.
● Since teaching is a multi-faceted human activity for it involves wide range of
planning, teaching strategies, interactions organizational arrangement and
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material resources that take place in the teaching-learning process, ​teachers

are often viewed as the most important variable in the learner’s educational
environment.
Some teachers regard teaching as just a job. Others see it as their mission.
What’s the difference?
What exactly is the mission to teach? Is it merely to teach the child the
fundamental skills or basic R’s of reading, writing, arithmetic and right conduct? Is
it to help the child master the basic skills so he can continue acquiring higher level
skills in order to become a productive member of the society? Is it to deposit facts
and other information into the “empty minds” of students to be withdrawn during
quizzes and tests? Or is it to “midwife” the birth of ideas latent in the minds of
students? Is it to facilitate the maximum development of his /her potential not
only for himself but also for others? In the words of Alfred North Whitehead, is it
to help the child become “the man of culture and of expertise? Or is it to provide
opportunities for a child’s growth and to remove hampering influences” as
Bertrand Russel put it?

“To teach is to influence every child entrusted in your care to

become better and happier because life becomes more meaningful.
To teach is to help the child become more human.”

Let us reflect on this:

Teaching: Mission and/or a Job?

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Share your thoughts on this:

______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
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The Teacher as a Person

▪ A teacher is, above all, a human being endowed with life for which it is the
highest obligation to live with dignity at all times whether in school, in the
home, or elsewhere.
▪ A teacher shall place premium upon self-discipline as the primary principle
of personal behavior in all relationships with others and in all situations.
▪ A teacher shall maintain at all times a dignified personality which could
serve as a model worthy of emulation by learners, peers and all others.
▪ A teacher shall always recognize the Almighty God as guide of his own
destiny and of the destinies of men and nations. (Magna Carta for
Teachers, Article XI)

What makes a good teacher?

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The Qualities of Effective Teachers

A. Personal Attributes of a Teacher

● Passion – passion for teaching is a compelling force that emerges

from one’s inborn love for children. Passionate teachers exude
spontaneity in ministering to the needs of the students especially
those experiencing learning difficulties. Passion does not die nor
diminish. They feel they “will live and die a teacher”.

● Humor – humor stands for anything funny, which elicits smile,

laughter or amusing reaction. It is an essential quality of teachers
that serves a number of purposes. Nothing will be difficult to
undertake since a common feeling of eagerness exist among the
students.

● Values and Attitudes – teachers are models of values. Whether

conscious of them or not, values are exhibited implicitly and
explicitly. Values connote standards, code of ethics and strong
beliefs.

● Patience – in teaching, patience refers to a teacher’s uncomplaining

nature, self-control and persistence. Patient teachers can forego
momentous frustrations and disappointments. Instead they calmly
endure their students’ limitations and difficulties.

● Enthusiasm​- enthusiasm is synonymous to eagerness and

excitement. Enthusiastic teachers are full of energy and dynamism.
Their passion and love for children are easily felt and not long after
their lively presence in the classroom.

B. Professional Attributes of a Teacher

● Control of knowledge base of teaching and learning and use of this

knowledge to guide the science and art of his/her teaching practice.
● Repertoire of best teaching practice and can use this to instruct
children in classrooms and to work with adults in the school setting.

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● Dispositions and skills to approach all aspects of his/her work in a

reflective, collegial, and problem- solving manner.
● View of learning to teach as a lifelong process and dispositions and
skills for working towards improving his/her own teaching as well as
improving schools.

C. Top 10 Qualities of Effective Teacher

1. An effective teacher loves to teach.​

The single most important quality that every teacher should possess
is a love and passion for teaching young people. Unfortunately, there are
teachers who do not love what they do. This single factor can destroy a
teacher’s effectiveness quicker than anything else. ​Teachers​ who do not
enjoy their job cannot possibly be effective day in and day out. There are too
many discouraging factors associated with teaching that is difficult enough
on a teacher who absolutely loves what they do, much less on one who
doesn’t have the drive, passion, or enthusiasm for it. On top of that, kids are
smarter than what we give them credit for.

2. An effective teacher demonstrates a caring attitude.​

Even teachers who love their job can struggle in this area, not
because they don’t care, but because they get caught up so much in the day
to day routine of teaching that they can forget that their students have lives
outside of school. Taking the time to get to know a student on a personal
level takes a lot of time and dedication. There is also a line that no teacher
wants to cross where their relationship becomes too personal. Elite teachers
know how to balance this without crossing that line and once a student
believes the teacher truly cares for them, then there is no limit to what that
student can achieve.

3. An effective teacher can relate to their students.​

The best teachers go out of their way to find ways to relate to each
of their students. Common interest can be hard to find, but good teachers
will find a way to connect with their students even if they have to fake it. For
instance, you may have a student who is a Lego fanatic. You can relate to
that student if you do something as simple as ordering a Lego catalog and
then going through it and discussing it with that student. Even if you have no

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actual interest in Lego’s, the student will think you do and thus naturally
create a connection.

4. An effective teacher is willing to think outside the box.

There is no one set cookie cutter way to teach. If there was, teachers
and students would both be bored. What makes teaching so exciting is that
kids learn differently and we have to find and utilize different strategies
and ​differentiated learning​ to reach every student. What works for one
student, will not work for every student. Teachers have to be willing to be
creative and adaptive in their lessons, thinking outside the box on a continual
basis. If you try to teach every concept in the same manner, there will be
students who miss out on key factors because they aren’t wired to learn that
way.

5. An effective teacher is a good communicator.

To be the best possible teacher you must be an ​effective
communicator​. However, in this area you are not just limited to being a good
communicator to your students although that is a must. You must also be a
great communicator with p ​ arents of your students​ as well as
your ​faculty/staff team within in your building​. If you have a difficulty
communicating with any of these three groups, then you limit your overall
effectiveness as a teacher.

6. An effective teacher is proactive rather than reactive.

This can be one of most difficult aspects for a teacher to conquer.
Intense planning and organization can ultimately make your job all the more
less difficult. Teachers who plan ahead, looking for aspects that they might
have issues with, and proactively looking for solutions to solve those
problems will have less stress on them, then those teachers who wait until a
problem arises and then tries to address it. Being proactive does not replace
being adaptive. No matter how well you plan, there will be surprises.
However, being proactive can cut down on these surprises tremendously,
thus making you more effective overall.

7. An effective teacher works to be better.

A teacher who has grown complacent in what they do is the most
ineffective kind of teacher. Any teacher who is not looking for new and
better teaching strategies isn’t being an effective teacher. No matter how

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long you have taught, you should always want to grow as a teacher. Every
year there is new research, new technology, and new educational tools that
could make you a better teacher. Seek out professional development
opportunities and try to apply something new to your class every year.

8. An effective teacher uses a variety of media in their lessons.

Like it or not we are in the 21st century and this generation of
students was born in the digital age. These students have been bombarded
by ​technological advances​ unlike any other generation. They have embraced
it and if we as teachers do not, then we are falling behind. This is not to say
that we should eliminate textbooks and worksheets completely, but effective
teachers are not afraid to implement other forms of media within their
lessons.

9. An effective teacher challenges their students.

The most effective teachers are often the ones that many students
consider to be their most difficult. This is because they challenge their
students and push them harder than the average teacher does. These are the
teachers who are often students’ least favorite teachers at the time, but then
later on in life they are the ones that we all remember and want to thank,
because of how well they prepared us for life after our time with them. Being
an effective teacher does not mean you are easy. It means that you challenge
every one of your students and maximize your time with them so that they
learn more than they ever thought possible.

10. An effective teacher understands the content that they teach and knows
how to explain that content in a manner that their students understand.
There are teachers who do not know the content well enough to
effectively teach it. There are teachers who are truly experts on the content,
but struggle to effectively explain it to their students. The highly effective
teacher both understands the content and explains it on level. This can be a
difficult skill to accomplish, but the teachers who can, maximize their
effectiveness as a teacher.

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References:
1. Acero et.al. 2015. ​Principles of Teaching I​. Rex Book Store.
2. Salandanan, Gloria G. 2012​. Methods of Teaching​.Lorimar Publishing Inc. Quezon City

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3. Zulueta, Francisco. 2009. ​Principles and Methods of Teaching.​ National Book Store. Navotas
4. Magna Carta for Teachers

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