Philippines

2. EPISODE 5
THE TEACHER AS A PROFESSIONAL
Learning Outcomes:
To understand the teachers as professional.
My Concrete Experience
Find a professional licensed teacher in your neighborhood, in school or through
referrals. Conduct a short interview by asking the following.
1. Where did you graduate? When?
University of Makati, Batch 2019
2. How did your university prepare you to become a good teacher?
by providing us a good and well-aligned curriculum that really honed our skills
and abilities to become an effective and efficient teacher.
3. When do you pass the Licensure Examination for teachers?
I've passed the LET last December 2019. I took my Licensure Examination
for teachers last September 2019.
4. When did you start teaching in public?
I didn't yet started teaching in Public. My first year of teaching is in private
school.
5. What makes you happy as a teacher?
I am happy when my students are happy and know how to be happy. I am
satisfied when my students cooperate with responsibility, happiness, inspiration
and when they collaborate.

3. 6. What disappoints you as a teacher?
So far, I'm still at the stage of adjustments. Since this is my first year of
teaching, I am still compassionate in my work. I do experience struggles in life
as a newbie teacher. But I guess one thing that disappoints me as a teacher is
when I am really dedicated teaching the specific lesson to my students, at
sometimes whenever I tried to explain the topic in an easiest ways, they still
don't get it. It will really test your patience and flexibility when you are a
teacher in order for the students to learn.
7. What professional development activities/trainings have you participated in?
I actively participated in seminars which is related to us a teacher, provided
by our school in Assumption College. The latest seminar that I attended was last
March 2019 in Diliman Preparatory School in QC, wherein the HABI group,
shared us the skills and strategies that we can use in the 21st century students.
8. Are you a member of a professional organization? What is the name of the
organization?
Yes, since I have my license already, I am now a member of Philippine
Association for Teachers and Educators (PAFTE).
9. As a professional teacher, what code of conduct do you strictly follow? Can you
name the specific behavior that should be followed to the utmost?
For me I am utmost to the students (teachers and the learners), wherein I
am really concerned and really prioritizing their learnings on how they will
absorb the topic in an easiest manner. It is because knowing Science, they
tend to think that Science is a really difficult subject, but if you don't let them
feel it, then I guess, they will start enjoying Science already.
10.What kind of teacher would you dream to become before you retire? Do you have
a career path?
So far, since I am still a newbie teacher, my dream as a teacher is not quite
vivid yet. Yes I do have a career path that I want to achieve and I want to little
by little encounter it.

4. 11.Describe the kind of professional teacher you belong from the timeline presented
below: Choose one and describe if you agree with the description given.
1-3 years in service
 Beginning teacher/Inductee- starter in the teaching profession
I don't really understand this question, it seems not clear but, I think if I were
ask if I agree based on question no. 11, yes I agree that if you are on its first 3
years in teaching therefore your still in probationary and has the capacity to learn
more as a teacher.
My Observations
From the answer by the teacher interviewed, is the teacher a professional teacher?
1. Why do you think so?
Yes, she is. The teacher is a professional teacher, not that she passed the
Licensure exam but with her character – of patience, of love, of effort with her
students. I can see that she’s been trying her very best to be an effective teacher
in order for the students to understand and love science.
2. Why not?
If I say she’s not a professional teacher – perhaps the reason of her being in a
private school for teaching experience.
3. Do you know a lot of professional teachers? Are they friends or relatives? How do
you feel being related to professional teachers?
Absolutely. Well, I’ve known numerous professional teachers. From grade school
up to college. Several of them are my friends, since they graduated ahead of me
because I took up K12 program, others are my relatives. By all means, I feel proud
and inspired being related to a professional teacher with so much respect, because
I know what they’ve been through before they step that career or title.

5. 4. What characteristics or qualities distinguish a professional teacher to a non-
professional teacher?
My Reflections
Consider that you will be a future professional teacher, what standards of behavior
should you uphold based on the Code of Ethics for Professional teachers?
Based on the professional code of ethics, it outlines teachers' main responsibilities to
their students and defines their role in students' lives. Above all, teachers must
demonstrate integrity, impartiality and ethical behavior in the classroom and in their
conduct with parents and coworkers.
Students Matter Most
Teachers must model strong character traits, such as perseverance, honesty, respect,
lawfulness, patience, fairness, responsibility and unity. As a teacher, you must treat
every student with kindness, equality and respect, without showing favoritism, prejudice
or partiality. You must maintain confidentiality unless a situation warrants involvement
from parents, school administration or law enforcement, and never use relationships
with students for personal gain.
Committment to the Job
Teachers must wholly commit to the teaching profession. Your classroom should
promote safety, security and acceptance, always avoiding any form of bullying, hostility,
dishonesty, neglect or offensive conduct. You must accurately describe your
qualifications, credentials and licenses to school boards or principals who seek to hire

6. you. You must also fulfill all contracts; obey school policies; and account for all funds
and resources at your disposal. It's your responsibility to design lesson plans to meet
state standards and create a well-rounded education plan that appeals to a wide range
of learners.
Keep learning
A professional code of conduct demands attentiveness to continuing education
requirements and career development. You must research new teaching methods,
attend classes to maintain your certifications, consult colleagues for professional advice,
participate in curriculum improvements and stay up to date on technical advancements
for the classroom. It's your duty to ensure that your teaching methods are fresh, relevant
and comprehensive. Teachers must engage in educational research to continuously
improve their teaching strategies.
Healthy Relationships Top the List
In addition to fostering healthy relationships with students, teachers must build strong
relationships with parents, school staff, colleagues in the community, guidance
counselors and administrators. You must never discuss private information about
colleagues unless disclosure is required by law. Always avoid gossip, including false or
mean-spirited comments about coworkers. Part of the code of ethics requires you to
cooperate with fellow teachers, parents and administrators to create an atmosphere
that's conducive to learning. You might be called upon to train student teachers as they
prepare to serve as educators, so a positive attitude and a team-centered mindset can
make all the difference.
Source: http://www.ehow.com/
My Affirmed Concepts
1. Professional teachers passed
the required standards for teaching prescribed by the country.
2. Professional teachers possess
expertise in their subject areas.
3. Professional teachers are
well-rounded, flexible, competent, and dignified.
4. Professional teacher respects
the students, and the people around him/her.
5. Professional teacher uses
various strategies and techniques to execute his/her subject area.

7. My Future Application
When I become a professional teacher, I should...
Respect students. In a classroom, each person’s ideas and opinions should be
valued. Students feel safe to express their feelings and learn to respect and listen to
others. It creates a welcoming learning environment for all students.
Create a sense of community and belonging in the classroom. To provide a
supportive, collaborative environment. In this small community, there are rules to
follow and jobs to be done and each student is aware that he or she is an important,
integral part of the group. A great teacher lets students know that they can depend
not only on her, but also on the entire class.
Be warm, accessible, enthusiastic and caring. Be approachable, not only to
students, but to everyone on campus. This is the teacher to whom students know
they can go with any problems or concerns or even to share a funny story. Great
teachers possess good listening skills and take time out of their way-too-busy
schedules for anyone who needs them. If this teacher is having a bad day, no one
ever knows—the teacher leaves personal baggage outside the school doors.

8. Set high expectations for all students. This teacher realizes that the expectations
she has for her students greatly affect their achievement; she knows that students
generally give to teachers as much or as little as is expected of them.
Have own love of learning and inspires students with his passion for education and
for the course material. He constantly renews himself as a professional on his quest
to provide students with the highest quality of education possible. This teacher has
no fear of learning new teaching strategies or incorporating new technologies into
lessons, and always seems to be the one who is willing to share what he’s learned
with colleagues.
Be a skilled leader. Different from administrative leaders, effective teachers focus
on shared decision-making and teamwork, as well as on community building. This
great teacher conveys this sense of leadership to students by providing opportunities
for each of them to assume leadership roles.
Be flexible when a lesson isn’t working. This teacher assesses his teaching
throughout the lessons and finds new ways to present material to make sure that
every student understands the key concepts.
Collaborate with colleagues on an ongoing basis. Rather than thinking of herself
as weak because she asks for suggestions or help, this teacher views collaboration
as a way to learn from a fellow professional. A great teacher uses constructive
criticism and advice as an opportunity to grow as an educator.
Maintain professionalism in all areas—from personal appearance to
organizational skills and preparedness for each day. Her communication skills are
exemplary, whether she is speaking with an administrator, one of her students or a
colleague. The respect that the great teacher receives because of her professional
manner is obvious to those around her.
Inspired from Orlando, Maria EdD (2013). Nine Characteristics of a Great Teacher
Retrieved from https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/philosophy-of-teaching/nine-
characteristics-of-a-great-teacher/