Lesson 2:

The Teacher as a Person in the Society

The objectives of this chapter are the following:

• Identify several roles performed by teachers in the society.

• Discuss the values of teachers as community leaders.
• Appreciate the role of teachers in the society.

The particular focus of this chapter is to explore significant literatures and

theories in understanding the personal traits and values as well as important
needs, rights, and roles of teachers in the society. The chapter includes
activities that will provide good insights and perspectives about the human
side of the teaching profession. It allows us to critically reflect on relevant
practices and issues of teachers. These will help us gain better
understanding and embrace our calling as teachers.

The key to understanding the teaching profession is to know the personal

and professional lives of teachers. First, it is important for us to understand
that teachers are products of the family where they belong. The family
values and the home environment that shaped their beliefs, character, and
personal values are reflected in their personality, values, and personal
philosophy. Second, we need to recognize that teachers are also shaped by
the society where they live. The society’s culture, values, norms, religion,
and environment are influential in shaping their life as an individual and a
professional. Teachers are servant leaders in their own community. They are
beacons of light to all people whom they encounter. Third, it is already a fact
that the schools they attended are also contributory to the development of
their expertise, talents, knowledge, skills, and educational philosophy.

A. The Teacher as an Individual Person

Understanding the Teaching Profession requires deeper appreciation of the

lives of teachers as individuals in society. Teachers are given high regard in
society for the multiple roles they perform aside from teaching. As society
becomes more complex and its values become more pluralistic, the areas of
responsibility for teachers become wider (Pelletier, 2004). Hence, teacher
education institutions (TEls) should embrace the challenge of preparing
teachers who will soon carry the task of preparing the young generation to
meet the different challenges brought by an ever-changing world. This will
prepare them to become effective professionals in all tasks in various
communities where they will be assigned to serve.

Cohen, Manion, and Morrison (1996) pointed out that teaching is more than
just a simple job. Some people, especially those who choose it to be their
profession, regard teaching as a higher calling and a commitment to make
positive changes in society and in the lives of all people they teach. Teachers
are modern heroes and heroines. They are servant leaders, knowledge
providers, and community organizers. It is then important to understand the
life of a teacher as an individual person.

1. Teachers Have Different Talents and Skills

It is always desirable for teachers to possess various skills and talents that
they can use and share as they perform their teaching tasks. For example,
teachers with musical talents are great assets. They can organize a school
choral group and integrate musical experiences in the classroom instruction.
Some teachers are also good in various types of performing arts. They
organize theater groups, teach different dance forms and other performing
arts. Those who possess talents in visual arts are also valuable in making
visual aids and in integrating art-driven activities in the school.

In terms of skills, many teachers are very creative in designing classroom

environments and in organizing school activities. They master the art of
selecting instructional methods and strategies appropriate for their students.
They are skillful in improvising different types of teaching devices and other
instructional materials.

These special talents and skills that teachers are blessed with are useful in
fulfilling their noble task of molding the minds and character of future
generations of leaders, professionals, and responsible citizens. A creative
way to describe the talents and skills of a teacher is a simple written piece
about “The Body Parts of a Teacher.”

The Body Parts of a Teacher

A. Brain - To always think critically and creatively.

B. Eyes - To see the individual needs, strength, and nature of each
student.
C. Ears - To listen to students’ ideas and concerns.
D. Hands - To guide students and show the right direction.
E. Heart - To love all students regardless of who and what they are.
F. Mouth - To speak the truth, discuss knowledge, and speak wisdom to
students.
G. Feet - To walk with students, explore the surroundings, and discover
new knowledge and information.
H. Nose - To breathe deeply and relax when feeling tired or pressured.

Teachers Have Different Needs

 1. Teachers have needs to be fulfilled every day.
2. Teachers have economic needs
3. Teachers need security and justice
4. Teachers need to be recognized and appreciated to boost their morale
and self-esteem
5. Teachers Need Spiritual Support
6. Teachers Need Role Clarity
7. Teachers Have Social Needs
8. Teachers need to Cope With Various Challenges and Changes.

D. The Teacher as a Model of Good Character

Since ancient times, teachers are recognized as exemplars of good

character, attitude, and values. They are keepers of values and traditions of
different cultures around the world. Many people consider them as prophets,
spiritual leaders, and great mentors. For Christians, Jesus is the perfect kind
of teacher and leader to emulate. For the Chinese, the teachings and values
of Confucius are always put in a very high regard. The Prophet Muhammad is
also the most influential teacher-leader for the Muslims. The life and
teachings of Buddha are also very influential among the Buddhists. Plato and
Aristotle are regarded as great teachers during their time in Greece. These
model teachers used their good nature and character to influence people.
They stand on their principles and beliefs, and they faithfully perform their
duties at all times. Currently, we still see many teachers exemplifying good
values and character. In the international scene, we see that many Nobel
Laureates and Pulitzer Award Winners are teachers in higher education. In
the Philippines, some of the recipient’s of Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM)
and Ten Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service (TOWNS) are also teachers.
Every year, we hear news about outstanding teachers from basic education
to tertiary education levels.

There are also many teachers who are exemplars of good character who
remain doing their duties with humility and excellence. They may have
neither received any award nor recognition but still have excelled in their
fields. They continuously influence the lives of many students who came to
learn under their care and they extend their time to teach and touch the
lives of their learners. They are good mentors and they are dedicated
professionals who work not for an award or recognition but for their passion
to touch the lives and to shape the future of their learners.

The Teacher as an Expert

Since ancient times, teachers have been recognized as sources of wisdom

and information in every society. Aside from teaching, they serve as guides,
counselors, judges, and spiritual leaders in the society. Through the
knowledge they share, they attract attention from many students and
individuals. They are given prominent positions in royal courts, giving expert
opinions and advise to kings and other community leaders. They enjoy
political influence in every community where they belong in the history of
mankind. Though teachers no longer hold any political power today, still,
there are many teachers who are known experts in many fields and
disciplines. Their ideas penetrated all aspects of life through the wisdom,
knowledge, values, and skills they shared to their students who became
leaders and citizens in all generations. The need for teachers to be experts
in various fields in the academe serves the purpose to prepare students to
respond to myriad of challenges brought by the 21 st Century. Shulman (1987)
tried to organize important domains of knowledge that are important for
teachers:

1. Knowledge in content - Teachers should know the subject matter they

teach.
2. Pedagogical content knowledge - It represents a perfect blend of
content and pedagogy into a framework for understanding how
subjects, topics, and lessons are organized into instruction. It simply
means teachers should master the subject they are teaching and they
should know how to teach it effectively.
3. Knowledge about learners - This is the idea of the different learning
styles, thinking styles, and educational needs of the learners.
4. Principles of Teaching - In addition, these are general pedagogical
principles that are applicable to any classroom situation and in any
teaching and learning context.
5. Knowledge of Educational Contexts - Educational context may focus
on the cultural, economic, political, and education context that shape
and influence education.
6. Curriculum Knowledge - This is about the knowledge of innovations,
curriculum designs, curriculum materials, assessment, and the
curriculum process.
7. Knowledge of Educational Ends, Purposes, and Values - This is the
understanding of the principles, theories, and purposes of education to
have deep appreciation of the enduring values of education.

Teachers play an important role in the total educational system of any

country. The expertise of teachers in content and in pedagogy is contributory
to their immense task of molding the mind and character of every individual
person who become their students. The knowledge they instilled in the
minds of their students will always be useful and relevant in everyday life. As
experts in different areas, teachers need to possess the 4 C’s.
4 C’s

Creativity - A cognitive ability to think outside the box, to develop new ideas,
to possess outstanding talent, and to lead effectively. It is also a capacity to
innovate.

Critical Thinking - A cognitive ability and capacity to think critically in solving

problems, making decisions, and in processing ideas.

Commitment - A passion to make a difference in the lives of each learner.

Character - An exemplar of positive values.