Lesson 2

The Demands of Society from the Teacher as a Person

Learning Outcomes:

a. Explain the demands of society from the teacher as a person.

b. Cite the personal qualities that a professional teacher should possess.

Introduction
More than any other professional, teachers are subjected to scrutiny to the minutest
detail by those they associate with. Teachers are judged more strictly than other
professionals. When a teacher fails to meet expectations of the public, like when she wears
an ultra mini skirt or fails to pay debt on time, the remark from the scrutinizing eye of the
public is teacher pa man din (to think that he/she is a teacher).
What are the demands of the teaching profession from the teacher as a person? This
can be re-stated as “what personal countries or attributes of teachers are demanded by the
“teaching profession” or “what personal traits must a teacher possess in order to function
well as professional teacher?
Referring to the professional teacher, the Code of Ethics gives big words like”
possesses dignity and reputation, with high moral values…adheres to observes and
practices a set of ethical and moral principles, standards and values.” What are these big
words in more specific teacher attributes? Let us find out in this lesson.

Abstraction
The qualities of your favorite teachers may not be very far from one another. Let’s
compare them with the twelve (12) characteristics of an effective teacher gathered from a
fifteen-year longitudinal, qualitative study on more than one thousand essays of teacher
education students. (Walker, Robert, J. Twelve Characteristics of an Effective Teacher: A
Longitudinal, Qualitative, Quasi-Research Study of In-Service and Pre-Service Teachers.
1. Prepared- come to class each day ready to teach
2. Positive- have optimistic attitudes about teaching and students
3. Hold high expectations- set no limits on students and believe everyone can be successful
4. Creative – are resourceful and inventive in how they teach their classes
5. Fair- handle students and grading fairly
6. Display a personal touch- approachable
7. Cultivate a sense of belonging- have a way to make students feel welcome and
comfortable in their classrooms
8. Compassionate- are concerned about students’ personal problems and can relate to them
and their problems
9. Have a sense of humor- make learning fun and do not take everything seriously
10.Respect students- do not deliberately embarrass students; teachers who give the highest
respect get the highest respect
11. Forgiving- do not hold grudges
12. Admit mistakes- quick to admit being wrong

These twelve traits of good teachers are same traits given by the students of these
writers every time they asked various classes to list down traits of effective teachers. The
most common word given is caring. Caring teachers are fair. They display a personal touch
and so are approachable. They make every learner belong and feel welcome. They feel with
their students and so are compassionate. They are forgiving, do not keep grudges against
learners. They are humble enough to admit mistakes.

Because they care, go to class prepared. They believe in their students and so set
high expectations. They care that students learn and so make learning fun by injecting
humor. Their genuine care for learners are grounded on their great respect for every learner.

Professionalism

Professionalism is something demanded of teachers both and professionals and as

persons. Professionalism is succinctly described in Article XI of the Code of Ethics for
Professional Teachers, to wit:

Section 1. 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.
Section 2. A teacher shall place premium upon self-respect and self-discipline as
the primary principles of personal behavior in all relationships with others and in all
situations.
Section 3. 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.
Section 4. A teacher shall always recognize the Almighty God as guide of his own
destiny and of the destinies of men and nations.

The Code of Ethics for public school teachers adopted in Section 7 of Republic
Act 4670 cites integrity as one essential trait of a professional teacher. This is given below:
 C. INTEGRITY: Since the teacher’s work is not confined merely to the development
of certain fundamental skills and abilities encompassed by the teaching of the 3R’s but also
includes the development of desirable habits and attitudes that go into the formation of
character, his manner of living should provide a worthy example for his pupils and students
to emulate for his fellow teachers to be proud of, and for the community to feel as being
enriched by it.

The personal traits cited above as attributes expected of teachers as persons are all
included in the big words – “live with dignity “ premium on self-respect and self-
discipline.” model, worthy of emulation” found in the Code of Ethics of Professional
Teachers. They are not only personal traits, they are also professional traits expected of a
teacher. In one word, these are all manifestations of professionalism, the hallmark of a
professional.

Summary:

To be effective in the teaching profession, teachers must possess personal traits

such as caring, forgiving, fair and compassionate, and so display a personal touch for all
students. Caring teachers make all feel they belong. They are humble enough to admit
mistakes. All of these personal traits emanate from teachers’ genuine respect for others.
The trait professionalism catches all the personal qualities expected of teachers.

Reference:
The Teaching Profession Fourth Edition by
Purita P. Bilbao et.al
Lorimar Publishing
Copyright 2018