Lesson 1

TEACHING AS A PROFESSION

Introduction

Teaching is a profession with a long and cherished tradition. It is

universally acknowledged as a respected and highly esteemed career. The

relentless pursuit of knowledge, development of skills and acquisition of values

are its lifelong mission. Teaching is not only a time-honored career, but a moral

activity as well. Though the context of teaching and of learning is constantly

changing, undoubtedly our nation and the whole world are indebted to the

multitude of dedicated teachers for ushering a literate, enlightened and

humanized society. As George Bernard Shaw says, “The hope of human

salvation lies in teaching”. Teaching indeed is a lifelong mission and teachers are

labeled nation-builders.

Objectives

At the end of this session, the students are expected to:

1. be oriented on the concepts of teaching as a profession

2. explain the nobility of the teaching profession

3. draw inspiration and strength from the poem, story and quotations

presented

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Activity

Below are short story and poem that tell something about teaching. Read it heartily; reflect on them by drawing your personal experiences.

Analysis

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Why God Created Teachers

When God created teachers, he gave us special friendsTo help us understand His world, and truly comprehend

The beauty and the wonder of everything we seeAnd become a better person with each discovery

When god created teachers, He gave us special guidesTo show us ways in which to grow, so we can all decideHow to live and how to do, what’s right instead of wrong

To lead us so that we cal lead, and learn how to be strong

Why God created teachers, in His wisdom and His grace Was to help us learn and to make our world a better, wiser place

A Tale in Heaven

St. Peter once again went into another round of screening souls whether they could be admitted or not into the firmaments of heaven. Of course, he underscored the importance of remarkable deeds as the sole basis for such selection. This first soul, a doctor, reasoned out that he cured a lot of sick persons among whom were the world’s leading celebrities and political figures. Not to be outshone, the second soul who was an engineer sounded rather extremely boastful by saying that he built the world’s known structures like towering buildings and awe-imposing bridges. Moreover, the third soul, a lawyer, recalled with great pride his glorious moments of defending the oppressed right in his own trouble-ridden country. Such unjustly treated ones include top-ranking opposition leaders, key labor figures, concerned farmers as well as student activists. However, not one them was able to impressed the seemingly hard-to-please St. Peter. At this point, the fourth soul approached him and briefly said: “I taught them all, including the doctor, the engineer and the lawyer.” Definitely, at the moment, St. Peter knew that he had found the most deserving of all, and that is the TEACHER!

1. Describe your feeling after reading the literature above.

2. Do your personal experiences portray the messages of the poem and of

the story?

3. What is your view of teaching after reading them? Is there any significant

difference with your view before coming across the poem and the story?

4. Are you dedicated to commit your time and talent to a lifelong mission and

of a moral obligation?

5. Do you have the passion – that strong enthusiasm and intense love for

this magnanimous profession? After reading, do your passion for teaching

ever turn to apathy and coolness? Or do your passion continue to grow?

6. Are you convinced that God endowed to teachers the responsibility of

creating a better place for everyone? that teaching is the noblest of all

professions?

Abstraction

Everyone who deserves to be called a professional teacher has made one

of the most important dreams of a lifetime come true. Teaching as a universally

accepted profession does not only refer to ones occupation, job or specialty, but

it is more of a vocation, a mission. Anyone who is engaged in teaching is

motivated to pursue achieving a purpose, to provide opportunities for self-

fulfillment and most importantly, to express love, care and compassion for

children.

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An informal survey was conducted by asking teachers of varying ages

who have been teaching for at least five years their reasons for continuing

teaching with the same eagerness and motivation. Those who have left were

asked the same way. The fastest answer when teachers are asked why they

continue to teach is “ Teaching is the noblest profession”. The other popular

responses to the question include: teaching is an honorable calling, teaching is

an accepted mission, it is self-filling, it is a profession of one with high moral

standards and it aims at molding children’s’ minds and hearts.

On the other hand, those who left teaching have the following compelling

reasons: the salary for teaching is very low, tasks are too time-consuming, it is

not regarded as prestigious as others like medicine or law, those who go into

teaching are not-so-bright member of the family and teachers are kept in the

school all day and have no time to socialize.

Every teacher could cite compelling reasons for pursuing or leaving this

career. For those who left teaching, perhaps, teaching is not really their first

love. They maybe underwent the teacher education not by choice but by force of

circumstances. Consequently, they find themselves swimming against the

current because they really do not have the passion. For those whose first love

is teaching and are still in love with it, they find themselves enjoying what it offers

and willingly responding to its demands. Indeed, it like swimming with the

current.

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To continue nourishing the passion for teaching, one must evoke a

stronger pledge and determination to keep on despite perceived difficulties on

the way. Those who continue to stay, driven by unending commitment and

loyalty to the profession and to the nation, deserve the highest commendation for

life.

A famous saying goes, “Once a teacher, always a teacher.”

Application

A. The following quotations may become a source of inspiration for you to

liven the passion for teaching in your heart. Choose one that touches you most.

Print the same nicely and have it is a conspicuous place (above your mirror,

cover of your favorite book, in your desk, etc.). Every time you feel like giving up,

go back to it. Read it for yourself again and again. Feel free to come up with

other inspiring quotations.

“ Teachers are the guardians of civilization.” - Bernard Russell

“ It is the supreme art of teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” – Albert Einstein

“ I do not teach children, I give them joy.” – Isadora Duncan

“ A teacher that is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.” – Khalil Gibran

“The more you prepare outside the class, the less you perspire in class, the less you perspire in class , the more you inspire the class.” – Ho Boon Tiong

“ Be proud you are a teacher, the future depends on you.” - Ricardo Gloria

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B. Answer the following questions:

1. State you own view of teaching as a career.

2. Interview a beginning teacher and a “seasoned” teacher about their

anxieties, fears as well as the joys and satisfaction experienced.

3. To you, what would be the best rewards of teaching as a profession?

4. Will you recommend the teaching professing as a lifetime career to you

children? State your convincing or discouraging reasons.

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