I am a person who is positive about every aspect of life.

There are many things I

like to do, to see, and to experience. I like to think, I like to dream; I like to talk, I
like to listen. I like to see the sunrise in the morning, I like to see the moonlight at
night; I love to sing and I like to feel the music flowing on my face. I like flowers,
gardening, and grow cactus and succulent plants. I like delicious foods and
comfortable shoes; I like good books and romantic movies. I like the land and the
nature. And most of all, I like my handsome soon-to-be husband, LEO.
 Teacher Essay: Reflections on Teaching
Teachers nowadays are required to have a portfolio. This portfolio is a
collection of everything about a teacher: his/her credentials, achievements,
linkages and many other important and relevant information. Part of this
portfolio is for the teacher to write his/her reflection on teaching. And let me
share to you my own personal reflection and insights about teaching which I
have written in my personal portfolio. These reflections are actually the views
and philosophy I uphold about teaching as far as my experiences, values and my
principles are concerned. You may or may not agree with me...

Teaching for me really isnt just a profession. It is a vocation.

It requires self-sacrifice, and being able to offer oneself for the
sake of the students. This job may not be one of the highest paid
jobs in this world, but I think it is on top of the most rewarding and
self-fulfilling job man has created. It is so because teaching creates
other professions. This may sound clich but this really is true. We
will never have doctors, lawyers, architects and any other profession
if not for a teacher who has painstakingly taught us and saved us
from ignorance.
Being a teacher as far as my experience is concerned has
opened my eyes to a lot of things. A teacher who may have
exemplary credentials on his/her back can never be sure if he/she
will be successful inside the classroom. It hit me in my head that I
should not be complacent about myself. That there are things I need
to improve and change about myself. I need to think creatively,
innovatively and resourcefully in order to make my class successful. I
need to prepare each and every day. Every day is always a brand new
day. What happens inside the classroom is always unpredictable.
For me, a true called teacher isnt just a person who teaches
and comply all the things required by the curriculum. It is very true
that to be a teacher, one has to be competent: an expert of his/her
subject matter, has a command on the medium of instruction, a
manager of his/her own right inside the classroom and has mastered
the art of pedagogy. And I think these teachers are many. However,
I cant ignore the fact that to be a teacher, one also has to have the
right attitude, the enthusiasm to teach, the respect to the dignity
of the teaching profession, the care and love for the students, and
to love learning itself. And I must say these teachers are rare. How
I wish that I may belong to these rare finds.
As a teacher I wish to win the hearts of my students. I want
them to be inspired, to be genuinely motivated to learn. I want them
to remember me as a kind of teacher who has made them learn not
by coercion but rather by inspiration. To be honest, I would rather
wish to win the hearts of my students than to win the hearts of my
superiors. I teach not for my superiors to be impressed of me. I
teach for my students. They are my honest and sincere critics. This
drives me to improve myself more and more every single day that I
am a teacher.

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great
teacher inspires. ~William Arthur Ward

I personally believe that teachers are most remembered not on

how they have made students learn, but rather on how they have
made the students feel. And because of this, I learned to be very
sensitive with the way I deal with my pupils. I learned to let them
feel the care, concern and warmth of a teacher. I may sometimes
hurt my students feelings intentionally or unintentionally, but I hope
they know that learning sometimes is a painful process. We have to
offer sacrifices and that includes giving up our old, comfortable but
wrong ways. And to wake ourselves up from these wrong ways, we
have to slap our face (and I dont mean this literally). I sometimes
do this not because I want to but I have to.
 Based on my experiences, I learned that we need first and
foremost to motivate our learners. As Horace Mann said, teaching
learners without motivating and inspiring them is like hammering a
cold iron. As a teacher, I need to make them appreciate and develop
the love for learning. They will never, ever learn unless they allow
learning to occur in their minds. Learning is an experience which
occurs inside the learner and is activated by the learner. This poses
me a challenge, that as a teacher, I really need to think of various,
creative and enjoyable activities that can arouse my students desire
to learn.
Finally, I personally adhere that teachers nowadays must focus
on the moral and the value side of learning. Yes, it is true that we
need to make our learners competent, equipped with all the skills and
knowledge necessary for them to become globally competitive.
However, we need to mold well-rounded individuals, future citizens
that can raise and morally recover our worlds present condition. It
is through values that our learners can create meaning and connect
the content and skills they learn to their lives. That they can use
their learning for the common good, and make positive changes not
only to their lives or familys lives, but rather to other people as
well, and to the world as a whole. Without focusing on values, we
teachers may create persons with big heads but small hearts,
intellectual giants but emotional dwarfs.
To end this, I hope and pray that God will provide me more
strength and power to fulfill this mission. Sometimes, part of being a
teacher is accepting the reality that not all students will appreciate
you. Some students may not listen to you, some will just forget you
and the worst, some will disrespect and back-stab you. And as a
human being, this weakens me as a teacher. But like God who was also
a teacher Himself, He never hated His students despite the neglect
and betrayal He experienced. I hope that I can also be the same
despite of my shortcomings. Bearing in mind that teaching and
making others learn without asking in return is enough as a reward
itself.

A teacher's purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their
own image.. ~Author Unknown
Teacher Essay: Reflections on Teaching
Teachers nowadays are required to have a portfolio. This portfolio is a collection of everything about a teacher: his/her
credentials, achievements, linkages and many other important and relevant information. Part of this portfolio is for the teacher to
write his/her reflection on teaching. And let me share to you my own personal reflection and insights about teaching which I have
written in my personal portfolio. These reflections are actually the views and philosophy I uphold about teaching as far as my
experiences, values and my principles are concerned. You may or may not agree with me...

Teaching for me really isnt just a profession. It is a vocation. It requires self-sacrifice, and being
able to offer oneself for the sake of the students. This job may not be one of the highest paid jobs in this
world, but I think it is on top of the most rewarding and self-fulfilling job man has created. It is so because
teaching creates other professions. This may sound clich but this really is true. We will never have doctors,
lawyers, architects and any other profession if not for a teacher who has painstakingly taught us and saved us
from ignorance.
Being a teacher as far as my experience is concerned has opened my eyes to a lot of things. A teacher
who may have exemplary credentials on his/her back can never be sure if he/she will be successful inside the
classroom. It hit me in my head that I should not be complacent about myself. That there are things I need to
improve and change about myself. I need to think creatively, innovatively and resourcefully in order to make my
class successful. I need to prepare each and every day. Every day is always a brand new day. What happens
inside the classroom is always unpredictable.
For me, a true called teacher isnt just a person who teaches and comply all the things required by
the curriculum. It is very true that to be a teacher, one has to be competent: an expert of his/her subject
matter, has a command on the medium of instruction, a manager of his/her own right inside the classroom and
has mastered the art of pedagogy. And I think these teachers are many. However, I cant ignore the fact that
to be a teacher, one also has to have the right attitude, the enthusiasm to teach, the respect to the dignity of
the teaching profession, the care and love for the students, and to love learning itself. And I must say these
teachers are rare. How I wish that I may belong to these rare finds.
As a teacher I wish to win the hearts of my students. I want them to be inspired, to be genuinely
motivated to learn. I want them to remember me as a kind of teacher who has made them learn not by coercion
but rather by inspiration. To be honest, I would rather wish to win the hearts of my students than to win the
hearts of my superiors. I teach not for my superiors to be impressed of me. I teach for my students. They are
my honest and sincere critics. This drives me to improve myself more and more every single day that I am a
teacher.

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great
teacher inspires. ~William Arthur Ward

I personally believe that teachers are most remembered not on how they have made students learn,
but rather on how they have made the students feel. And because of this, I learned to be very sensitive with
the way I deal with my pupils. I learned to let them feel the care, concern and warmth of a teacher. I may
sometimes hurt my students feelings intentionally or unintentionally, but I hope they know that learning
sometimes is a painful process. We have to offer sacrifices and that includes giving up our old, comfortable
but wrong ways. And to wake ourselves up from these wrong ways, we have to slap our face (and I dont mean
this literally). I sometimes do this not because I want to but I have to.
Based on my experiences, I learned that we need first and foremost to motivate our learners. As
Horace Mann said, teaching learners without motivating and inspiring them is like hammering a cold iron. As a
teacher, I need to make them appreciate and develop the love for learning. They will never, ever learn unless
they allow learning to occur in their minds. Learning is an experience which occurs inside the learner and is
activated by the learner. This poses me a challenge, that as a teacher, I really need to think of various,
creative and enjoyable activities that can arouse my students desire to learn.
Finally, I personally adhere that teachers nowadays must focus on the moral and the value side of
learning. Yes, it is true that we need to make our learners competent, equipped with all the skills and knowledge
necessary for them to become globally competitive. However, we need to mold well-rounded individuals, future
citizens that can raise and morally recover our worlds present condition. It is through values that our learners
can create meaning and connect the content and skills they learn to their lives. That they can use their learning
for the common good, and make positive changes not only to their lives or familys lives, but rather to other
people as well, and to the world as a whole. Without focusing on values, we teachers may create persons with
big heads but small hearts, intellectual giants but emotional dwarfs.
To end this, I hope and pray that God will provide me more strength and power to fulfill this mission.
Sometimes, part of being a teacher is accepting the reality that not all students will appreciate you. Some
students may not listen to you, some will just forget you and the worst, some will disrespect and back-stab you.
And as a human being, this weakens me as a teacher. But like God who was also a teacher Himself, He never
hated His students despite the neglect and betrayal He experienced. I hope that I can also be the same
despite of my shortcomings. Bearing in mind that teaching and making others learn without asking in return is
enough as a reward itself.

A teacher's purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their
own image.. ~Author Unknown
 Reflections on TEACHING
PROFESSION
It took me almost a week to finish this 8-unit reflection in Teaching
Profession. Being a pre-service teacher is quite tiring yet very much
rewarding. Two (2) years and one summer down, (2) years and
another summer to go. weh.;)

I wish I could persuade every teacher to be proud of his occupation -

not conceited or pompous, but proud. People who introduce
themselves with the shame remark that they are, "just teachers", gives
me despair in my heart. Did you ever heard a lawyer say
depreciatingly that he was only a patent attorney? Did you ever hear a
physician say "I am just a brain surgeon?" I beg of you to stop
apologizing for being a member of the most important profession in
the world. Draw yourself up to your full height, look at anybody
squarely in the eye and say, "I am a Teacher." - William Garr-

UNIT 1: Overview of the course, views of teaching as a

professional teacher, Teaching Profession, Professional,
vocation, mission requisites of teaching as a profession
Teaching Profession. . . What is this subject? Why are we obliged to
study this subject? Is it important for us? Will it give us knowledge and
ideas for us to use in the future? Why is this even included in our
curriculum?
I hate summer classes. -All you do is sit for hours in a chair and count
every strand of your hair and pretend the boring teacher does not
exist.
I don't know and I don't care. All I know and all I'm concerned about is
for me to be able to pass this subject. With a quota period of 3 weeks
and two days, pass the major exams, the requirements and complete
the attendance, for sure my summer will be as happy and stress-free
as before. Imagine having only two weeks of vacation! That really is
crazy, right? I hate summer classes. I condemn summer classes. All
you do is sit for hours in a chair and count every strand of your hair
and pretend the boring teacher does not exist.
Ah! Anyways, back to teaching profession. Why is teaching profession
called teaching profession? Why is it considered to be one of the
major subjects of prospective teachers? What is the essence of
teaching this subject? Why is it offered in our summer class? These
are only few of the questions my mind have to think about and weigh
before realizing the role of Teaching profession in my, or shall I say,
our lives.
As prospective teachers, we are expected to learn and understand the
concept of being a teacher. We are obliged to learn and understand
every aspect of teaching, even the dust like concepts should be
learned and understood. And most importantly, we should be able to
be ready of whatever consequence we are to face in the future. With
this realizations, Teaching Profession was born. It answers the
questions about the existence, the role and the importance of teachers
in society. It is not just a mere subject of discussion or seatworks but
more of a logical and demonstration subject. Teaching Profession
paints a clear futuristic view of what teaching is and what teachers
should be. It helps prospective teachers understand and love the
teaching profession and be able to answer their (our) question of
"Why should I become a teacher?"
Some call teaching as their vocation, some their mission and to some
a mere profession. I'm not certain of how teaching should be called. I
guess teaching as vocation, a mission and profession are all correct.
VOCATION of teachers. Vocation, from the Greek word "vocare"
means "to call." Some people consider teaching as a vocation,
something like a priestly or a holy gesture. For them, teaching is a
voice from the future dictating them what to do and what to pursue. To
some, teaching is a MISSION to fulfill. They see teaching as a journey
like that of a pilgrimage. And to some, teaching is a PROFESSION. As
for me, I call it my ETERNAL INTEREST.
The first day wasn't as bad as I had thought. It was quite interesting
and should I say mind-boggling. I just can't wait for the next days and
the next topic.

UNIT 2: The teacher as a person, Philosophical heritage,

Formulating ones philosophy, foundational principles of morality
and values and beliefs a teacher holds

"Something of yourself remains wherever you have been." - very

much true since teachers are given much opportunity and priviledge to
inspire and be with a lot of people. This opportunity is much like Neil
Armstrong's first step on the moon, still preserved in the surface of the
earth's satellite.
Teachers are regarded as models, as facilitators, as catalysts, and as
a moral embodiment in society.Therefore teachers should take into
consideration each action or movement or word they make or say. For
if one fatal word comes out of him or her, a big mistake is done. If he
or she acts in a way that is quite immoral or offending to others, he or
she should be obliged and be responsible on the effects to his or her
students. Well, I personally believe that teachers' actions are windows
of his or her philosophy. What the teacher believes is more or less
conveyed and shown in her actions and responses to everyday
activities and stimuli he or she encounters. Unconsciously and
unknowingly, there is a "diverse species" of philosophies in existence.
Five of which were discussed in unit 2. These include existentialism,
essentialism, progressivism, perennialism, and behaviorism. Each of
which has a distinct characteristic and ways of teaching. During the
lesson, I've learned that I was part existentialist and at the same time
a progressivist. Philosophy as what I have read is more of an
evolutionary belief rather than a permanent one. One's philosophy
does not last forever rather it changes or is affected by any factors like
recent readings, observations and etc.

Filipinos tend to think of "pamilosopo" as a negative notion but if we

are to deeply understand the nature of this "pamilosopo" thingy we
are to find out that it is more of a logical and rational response of
humans.
With teaching profession I was somehow able to understand,
appreciate, like, and at the same time question and think of
contradictions of certain philosophies. Like the Platonic philosophy
(which was then assigned to us as a group report) which tends to
believe that beauty, goodness, kindness, etc. are not merely words to
be read or to understand but rather personalities that stand out and
act like humans. The question, " How can you say that a person is
good?" is an example of a platonic statement. Can goodness be
measured? Is there a set standard for us to be able to say that he or
she is good? What really is goodness? Is goodness just like kindness?
No one actually knows but we unconsciously tend to create standards
and measures so as to say that the person is good. This is unknown
to us and is often left unnoticed but with the help of philosphy, what
cannot be seen can now be seen.
Realization: Filipinos tend to think of "pamilosopo" as a negative
notion but if we are to deeply understand the nature of this
"pamilosopo" thingy we are to find out that it is more of a logical and
rational response of humans. Funny but true. One "pamilosopo" is
this: The narra leaf has changed since the color changed form green
to brown. Normallly, this statement is true but philosophically
erroneous. The leaf is still a leaf. It may look withered and dry but it
still is a leaf. What actually changed was the color and not the leaf
itself. Gets?
Connection to teaching? I don't actually know and I don't care. As long
as I learn and realize something from it, it matters. That is because I
do believe that there is no good or bad knowledge. All we have is the
capacity to judge between what is good or right and what is bad or
wrong. And this is where morality enters.
Morality. A word often abused and used in the disputes of good and
bad and from right and wrong. It is a matter of weighing things with
regards to what the norm accepts as right and wrong. Our morality is
more or less affected by what the norm believes as right and once you
disagree with that, you are a deviant. We may ask ourselves as
prospective teachers, why do i need to study the concept of
philiosophy and morality?
Simply because our personal beliefs, philosophies and understanding
of morality do affect our teaching style and strategy. What our actions
and what we say determines our philosophy and stand in life. And as
teachers, we should have the knowledge and idea on how to utilize
this philosophy for the betterment of our students.

UNIT 3: The teacher in the context of school setting, classroom

management, educational technology and innovative teaching

Teaching is much harder than any other other profession on earth.

And I mean it! Teachers may have been stereotyped as one of the
jobs with the lowest pay but this job plays a gigantic or shall I say
"colossal" role in society. It is our responsibilty to impart knowledge to
the students (apart from the parents, of course!) and it is in our
shoulders that the talents and the innate skills of our students be
improved and be shown.
What comes in our mind when we say anything about a teacher is the
school. Teachers are "play makers" of education; they serve as fuel
that keeps the interest in learning new things...burning.
The school or a classroom is the place where the secrets of
knowledge is molded and is shared. Therefore, the classroom setting
has a great effect on the learning interest of our students. Classroom
setting is not only about the interior design of the room nor the
physical arrangement of chairs, tables, cabinets, lockers or the board.
It is more than just the physique, it is about how these arrangements
and design affect the teaching-learning process; more than just an
adjective-like word or word meant to describe something but it is a
question-like statement which revolves on the why's and how things
shoulde be arranged or done.

Teachers are "play makers" of education; they serve as fuel that

keeps the interest in learning new things...burning.
It is one of the major factors that should be put into consideration and
proper planning. The placement of windows, the blinds, ventilation,
lighting, discipline in class and classroom routines are also included in
the scope of classroom management. It is a major must for pre-
service teachers to have an idea about these things so as to help
them face the future consequences in teaching.

UNIT 4: The teacher in the context of the community, school and

community relations, linkages and networking organizations
Education is not only moulded inside the four corners of the room or in
the premises of the school. True and first education is moulded in the
community, in the environment, in the home. A teacher's responsibility
is not only limited inside the academe or inside the school but is also
extended in the community. A teacher does not only stand as a mere
person who embodies and imparts learning inside the school but is
also an important persona, a well respected person in the community.
A teacher is a very important person in the community; he/she serves
not only as a literal teacher but also is a model, a facilitator, a host, a
leader, a mentor, and an authoritative figure in society. He/she is
responsible and is tasked to offer assistance to everyone in the
community.

A teacher does not only stand as a mere person who embodies and
imparts learning inside the school but is also an important persona,
a well respected person in the community.

A teacher's job in the community is not possible to attain if the

community itself is not supportive or helpful. Therefore, to be able to
have a healthy relationship between the school and the
community,both must give and take fairly. That is why PTCA and PTA
organizations were formed. A teacher must help in every way he/she
can to the community and the community in return must be responsive
and supportive in the teacher's effort to help.
Human life as they say is not just a single thread, rather it is a web of
threads. The school does not only stand on its own, rather it is
accompanied by the community, linkages and other organizations with
the goal of improving education and making education accessible to
all. Unit 4 gives us some examples of international linkages which are
still active at the present. Some of them includes the Pi Lambda
Theta, Innotech, and others. These linkages and networks only shows
that even distant countries are making ways to communicate and
share whatever they know and impart learning with each other. With
these idea about linkages and networks in existence, pre-service
teachers are given assurance that the teacher species is making its
way to success and improvement, that many people believe in the
ability and importance of teachers, and that many people still value the
importance of education in the fast changing world.

UNIT 5: The teacher in the context of the world, on becoming a

global teacher, educational systems of other countries, multi-
cultural education, exchange programs and study abroad.

Teaching as discussed and is said in Unit 4 is a profession known

world-wide. That is why curricula for pre-service teachers are annually
modified to go with the trend and be updated about the recent
developments in education. Earth now is very far from the cretaceous
nor devonian earth we all know. Earth now is a web of developed and
developing countries. Countries separated by miles of water can now
communicate and talk as if they are facing each other with a foot
distance and mails can now be received with just a wink of an eye (it's
that fast!). We are now living in a "global village". Students and
teachers alike can now view whatever is happening in other countries,
from the famine and poverty in Haiti, to the luxurious life in Tokyo and
even the deepest trenches in the Pacific.
More than that, Unit 5 gives us, prospective teachers, the different
educational systems and curricula in other countries all around the
globe. It is then that I realized that Philippines offers the shortest level
or number of educational years. Well, it has advantages and
disadvantages. Since Filipino students graduate from higher education
at a very young age, it may likely be that the maturity level and the
experiential aspect of a student is not properly harnessed and honed
for job seeking (even if job opportunity is many). If we are to compare
it to other Asian countries, we are really left behind yet I can still say
that our educational system is competitive. Competitive as I have
observed since Filipinos even at a young age think and act maturely
making them more advance "cognitively" from other graduates. One
thing that I have noticed with the educational systems in all the
countries presented is that basic education is compulsory and that
handing down of certificates or diploma of completion is observed.

This unit somehow opens our eyes as pre-service teachers to the

reality that diversity is never a hindrance for one to be educated and
that this reality should be faced with great enthusiasm and
understanding for it to be addressed.
The diversity of learners is also given focus on Unit 5. As teachers, we
should understand that our students are not all the same, that each of
them has his/her unique ability, skill or intelligence that we must
enhance and give importance. But once a teacher engages in multi-
cultural education, he/she should learn to be fair and not to be
discriminatory nor to show biases to his/her students because multi-
cultural education's goal is to unite and to give just and fair education
to all regardless of gender, race, religion or economic status. This unit
somehow opens our eyes as pre-service teachers to the reality that
diversity is never a hindrance for one to be educated and that this
reality should be faced with great enthusiasm and understanding for it
to be addressed.

UNIT 6: Legal basis of teaching as a profession, PD 1006, RA

7835, RA 9155, BP 232, etc., CMO 30, s. 2004, DepEd Orders.

Teaching just like other jobs is considered to be a profession. But

why? Or how could one say that a job is a profession? Why are
teachers called professionals? These questions are just few of the
questions pre-service teachers ask themselves.
Well, teaching is a profession literally because teachers are given
payment for their 'professional' service and knowledge. But in a
deeper sense professionalization of teachers lie on a legal and valid
basis. The Philippine government concerned with the literay rate of its
people formulated and implemented PD 1006 that speaks of the
professionalization of teachers. It only shows that the Philippine
government is very supportive and is taking every measure to make
teaching a well-respected and important profession in the country. The
implementation of the decree also paved the way for other decrees
and acts to be passed concerning education, teacher's rights, and the
teaching profession as a whole.

. . .as teachers, education is our life. And for us to live this life better
we should understand the how's and the why's of its foundation.
It is then also that I learned about the process of how DECS was
made to DepEd. These decrees, acts, laws, and legal processes may
not be of interest to others but since we are teachers, we should be
able to somehow understand them and perhaps put them in mind. It's
like knowing the foundation and the history of a profession we are to
embrace in the future. It's like drawing lines and connecting dots to
trace the history of ourselves. We are studying the legality of the
foundation of education because as teachers education is our life. And
for us to live this life better we should understand the how's and the
why's of its foundation.

UNIT 7: Professional growth and development,

professionalization of teaching, code of ethical conduct

I've been saying and writing this thing from the beginning; that
teachers are not just mere symbols of a school, that they are models
and embodiments of moral and ethical values in the community and
the society as well. That is why the code of ethics or the code of
ethical conducts for teachers was born. It is a thirteen article resolution
covering the proper and ethical conducts a teacher should possess. It
is not like a wall that limits the action of a teacher rather it is a
protection and a valid 'must' for teachers. Its contents are not like
limited for a certain scope but is made solely for the purpose of
protecting and empowering the respect and dignity of a teacher.

The teaching profession is a profession that everybody should take

care of and should be given emphasis since teachers are the moulders
of the hope of the country.
Voluntarily or involuntarily, we, pre-service teachers should at least
obey it. Included in the resolution are some of the controversial
questions and problems a teacher may encounter while on duty and
the laws applying to it. Let's take for example the relationship between
the teacher and his/her student. It's not like the normal relationship
that should exist but what I mean there is more than just a student-
teacher relationship (more than that!). In Article 8, Section 7 of the
Code of Ethics of Teachers, "...where mutual attraction and
subsequent love develop between the teacher and the learner, the
teacher shall exercise utmost professional discretion to avoid scandal,
gossip, an preferential treatment of the learner." This is only one of the
statements or conditions stated in the resolution that is undeniably
happening in the school. Other than that, the resolution covers almost
all the area where a teacher is involved; the teacher and the state, the
community, the profession, the teaching community, the authorities,
other personnel, the learners, the parents, the business, and most
importantly as a person.
The teaching profession is a profession that everybody should take
care of and should be given emphasis since teachers are the
moulders of the hope of the country.

UNIT 8: Positive values, beliefs and good practices of a

professional teacher: (1) positive values, beliefs and attitudes (2)
good practices, issues in the profession (3) reflective teaching

Positive outlook and perception to everything is only one of the major

good values a teacher should possess. Why? First and foremost, it's
because the teacher is with the student or learner five times a week
and almost ten hours a day. Makes sense? Yes. It only means that the
student sees the teacher more than anyone in his/her life and with
that, it only means that the teacher greatly affects the development of
the student or the learner. And therefore, positivism while on duty is
very very important. And I really really mean it! VERY IMPORTANT!
Positive values, beliefs and attitudes help the teachers pass the
information in a healthy and effective channel, that is, not distracting,
discriminatory and more likely not confusing. A professional teacher
teaches his/her students in a professional way; utilizing good
values,beliefs and attitudes while on duty, addressing issues and
problems, and teaching in a reflective way.
Why should a teacher address the needs of the students? Is it really
important?
Being an English Major student really helps a lot in understanding the
need to address the learners' needs. We had a subject which I think is
very much helpful in explaining the need to address these needs. It's
called English For Specific Purposes (ESP).

Teaching in a reflective way is like bridging whatever is written on

the book to whatever one is experiencing in his/her daily life.
In ESP, we were taught to value the learners and their needs more
than anything else. ESP, as what I have learned, lies on the principle
of needs assessment. The name itself of the subject implies its
objectives; FOR PURPOSES. That is why a teacher, a good teacher,
must first learn to understand the needs and the nature of his
students. Once he already knows what to address, everything would
just be easy and no time is wasted since what is important is the one
given emphasis.
Why should teachers be reflective in teaching? Would reflections help
students learn?
Personally, I really love making reflections and commentaries on
certain topics because I find it a very rational, logical and shall I say
intellectual way of relating what one observed to what really is
happening around us. If we are to just listen to and accept what other
people say, we may end up living our lives superficially. That's what I
believe in. Just like in teaching, a teacher should understand the
underlying principles and truths that is concealed within the facade of
a topic or a lesson. The lesson when utilized in that superficial way is
kind of boring. But when a teacher relates what he/she teaches to
every reality in life, students are more able to understand and
internalize the information. Teaching in a reflective way is like bridging
whatever is written on the book to whatever one is experiencing in
his/her daily life. Reflections are like mirrors of our minds. Whatever
realization and reflections we make only speaks of how we think, how
we understand every situation and how we react or respond to
whatever stimulus we encounter.