LESSO

N
The Demands of Society from the
5 Teacher as a Person
2
HOURS
MODULE
1
Modern men listen more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers,
it is because they are witnesses. – Pope Paul VJ

Introduction

This lesson is a discussion on the demands of society from the teacher as a person. It presents
personal qualities expected of a teacher anchored on professionalism as contained in the Code of Ethics
for Professional Teachers both past and present.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. explain the demands of society from the teacher as a person

2. cite the personal qualities that a professional teacher should possess
3. write a reflection paper on the personal attributes of a professional teacher, which you have the
most. and which should you develop more.

Recall your most memorable teacher who had the greatest impact on your life? What special
personal qualities did he/she possess? Write them down.

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 "I am only a teacher!" Often this is what we hear when a teacher introduces herself/himself
amidst a group of professionals like doctors, lawyers, nurses, accountants, engineers, etc. And yet,
admittedly, so much is expected or demanded of a teacher. More than any other professionals, 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 the expectations of the public, like when
she wears an ultra mini skirt or fails to pay the debt on time, the remark from the scrutinizing eye of the
public is "teacher pa man din," (to think that he/she a teacher).

How do you feel about the given scenario?

In the previous lesson, you learned that the demands of the teaching profession from the
teacher as a professional are great. In this lesson, we will learn the demands of the teaching profession
from the teacher as a person. This can be re-stated as "what personal qualities or attributes of teachers
are demanded by the teaching profession" or "what personal traits must a teacher possess to function
well as a 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's
find out in this Lesson.

1. Twelve characteristics of an effective teacher:

1. Prepared-come to class each day 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' 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 student-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

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Demands of the teaching profession from the teacher as a person.
1. Professionalism
Professionalism is something demanded of teachers both as 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 shall live with dignity at all times.
Section 2. A teacher shall place a premium upon self-respect and self-discipline as the
principle of personal behavior in all relationships with others and all
situations.
Section 3. A teacher shall maintain at all times a dignified personality that could
serve as a model worthy of emulation by learners, peers, and others.
Section 4. A teacher shall always recognize the Almighty God or being as the guide of
his 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:
2. 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 3rR’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.
3. Personal Traits: 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 everyone feels he/she belongs. They are humble enough to
admit mistakes. All of these personals traits emanate from teachers' genuine respect for others.
The trait of professionalism catches all the personal qualities expected of teachers.

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Activity 1: Read this poem” You Are a Teacher” then answer the following questions. (5 points
each)
YOU ARE A TEACHER
If I speak interestingly, effectively, and well,
But do not understand my students
I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I know all of the methods and techniques of teaching,
If I have complete faith that they will work,
So that I use them completely,
But think only of materials or techniques
Instead of how they can help my students,
I count for nothing.
If I go the second mile in my teaching,
Give up many activities,
But do it without understanding,
It does no good.
Love is very patient, very kind;
Love is not jealous, it does not put on airs;
It is never tannic, never;
Yet does not become angry;
It is not resentful.
Love always expects the best of others;
It is gladdened when they live up to these expectations,
Slow to lose faith when they do not.
It will bear anything,
Hope for anything.
Endure anything,
This kind of love will never fail
If there are teaching methods, they will change;
If there are curricula, they will be revised.
For our knowledge is imperfect,
And our teaching is imperfect,
And we are always looking for the better ways
Which an infinite God has placed ahead of us.
When I began to teach, I fumbled and failed;
Now I have put away some of my childish ways.
At present I am learning bit by bit;
But if I keep on seeking. I shall at last understand
As all along I have been understood.
So faith, hope, and love endure.
These are the great three
But greatest of them is love

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Questions: (5 points each)
1. Which line of the poem do you like most? Why?
2. What mental portrait of the teacher in the classroom and the teacher in the community is
painted by the poem, “You Are a Teacher?”
3. Read your name through the poem like this: Brenda. You are a Teacher
If Brenda speaks interestingly, effectively, and well
But does not understand her students
Brenda is a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
4. How did you feel when you read your name through the lines of the poem? Describe and
explain why

Activity 2: Check for understanding. Justify your chosen answer.

1. Which teacher’s personal trait is demonstrated if he/she is gender-sensitive and inclusive in
his ways?-
A. Fairness C. Passion
B. Sense of humor D. Motivation
2. Teacher A claims he/she cares for students? Which is/are a manifestation of genuine care?
I. Know students
II. Creates a favorable learning atmosphere
III. Maintains professional distance with students
A. I and III B. I and II C.II and III D. I, II and III
Activity 1 (5 points each)
1. This is how one describes professionalism:
“You have to perform at a consistently higher level than others.
That’s the mark of a true professional. Professionalism has nothing to do with getting
paid for your service.”
In a sentence state one concrete act of professionalism
e.g. Professionalism is doing my work to the best of my ability even when nobody is looking.
Professionalism
is___________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_________________
2. Between the professional and personal qualities of a teacher, which ones are perceived to
be more important? Is there such a thing as more important than the other?
Activity 2: Write a reflection paper
Of the personal attributes of a professional teacher, which do you have the most? Which should
you develop more?
References:
1. Purita P. Bilbao, EdD, Brenda B. Corpus, PhD, Avelina T. Llagas, EdD, Gloria G.
Salandanan, PhD,
(2018). The Teaching Profession, Fourth Edition. Lorimar Publishing, Inc.

This document is a property of NONESCOST

Unauthorized copying, uploading, and / or editing is prohibited. (For Classroom Use Only) Prepared by: Ma. Janet S. Geroso, LPT, Ph. D