TASK 1:

THE TEACHING PROFESSION IS LIKE CONSTRUCTING A HOUSE OR A

BUILDING

Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/L6Sc76xSXtvSB3sJ6

I was walking with my one-year old son when I came across a model house being

constructed a few blocks from where I live. It was still in the early stages of

construction so the foundation is visible to the public eye. And there I found a good

metaphor for my last homework. The teaching profession is like constructing a house

or a building. Below are the reasons why:

1. You need to lay a strong foundation and footing when you build a house.

I’d always remember the story about the Three Little Pigs every time I come

across this theme. Establishing a sturdy base is an immensely essential part in

constructing a house. Without it, wolves like typhoon, earthquake and age will

easily destroy it. The same goes with teaching students. Teachers need to create

a strong foundation in their students so they would be ready to face future

challenges, both at school and in life. Specifically, educators should hone their

students’ Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). According to Yoder (2014) of the

American Institutes of Research, SEL is the “process of developing students’

social-emotional competencies- that is the knowledge, skills, attitudes and

 behaviors that individuals need to make successful choices.” If the teacher is able

to lay these four competencies well enough, students will have something to fall

back on when the road to learning (and life in general) becomes unfamiliar or

difficult.

2. No one person alone can build a house.

The same goes for the teaching profession. A teacher may learn plenty of things

from his or her experiences with students but he or she will learn more if she

interacts with other teachers. As Wilson and Peterson (2006) put it, learning is a

social phenomenon. With other teachers help, a teacher will be able to provide

better lessons and learning environment to the students.

3. Building the rest of the structure meticulously is equally important.

Although having a strong foundation is important, if the rest of the structure

(plumbing, electricity, interior, layout) is not put up correctly, the house will still be

unstable and uncomfortable to live in. The same goes for education. A good

foundation will only be good enough if it is enhanced continuously. A friendly

learning environment, activities that cater different types of learners,

assessments that promote student curiosity and reflection and descriptive

feedback are all necessary.

TASK 2:

In my opinion, the teaching profession is like a tree for the following three reasons:

1. Trees need time to grow.

Trees don’t grow overnight. It takes years and years of taking care and patience.

Once its roots have anchored in the soil, it will continue to grow. Students are like

trees. At a façade, they are just there sitting in front of the teacher, as if nothing

significant is happening. However, with the right stimulus provided by the teacher ,

students’ minds are actually processing new information and growing. And it

won’t be after years and years of learning before growth becomes apparent.

2. Growing a tree needs a concoction of factors.

Like taking care of trees, teaching needs a lot of factors to succeed. A student’s

success in at school isn’t solely credited to his or her teacher. The school, his or

her parents, learning environment and the society he or she lives in all contribute

to his or her success. As Wilson and Peterson (2006) puts it, “teaching is a

shared work”. It is, therefore, necessary for teachers to coordinate with the

parents and administration and tap on the people around the school area

because he or she can never do it alone.

3. You grow it but you can’t control how it grows.

Growing a tree teaches us the importance of letting go. No matter how hard to

take care of them, they will always grow on their own. Teaching is like that too.

Teachers provide knowledge to students, but they cannot control what students

will do with that knowledge. Teachers should, therefore, just continue to provide a

good learning experience to students, but shouldn’t get too disappointed when

they don’t meet their expectations.

References:3

1. Wilson, S & Peterson, P. 2006. Theories of Learning and Teaching: What do they
mean for educators?
2. Yoder, M. 2014. Teaching the Whole Child.