Module 1: Gaining Insights on the Essence of Teaching as a

Profession, Vocation and Mission

Introduction
Teaching is about inspiring and motivating students to realize and exceed
their potentials.
It is a challenging profession because the responsibility of the teachers is not
only to teach students the content areas but also to teach them to learn how to learn.
The greatest teachers of all time have devoted their life in inspiring and empowering
their students to achieve great things and be functional members of the society.
One important characteristic of teachers as professional is that
their professional learning continues well beyond when they begin that
particular occupation.
This module is the first module in your Course, The Teaching Profession.
Module 1, Gaining Insights on the Essence of Teaching as a Profession, Vocation
and Mission will help you have a glimpse of what is teaching all about.

Learning
Outcomes
At the end of this module, you are expected to gain the necessary insights on
what teaching profession is. You should be able to:
 discuss the elements of a profession
 explain the meaning of teaching as a profession
 explain teaching as vocation and mission
 trace the historical development of teaching as a profession in the Philippines
Your Guide to this Module
Lesson Focus Topics Activities Schedule
A. Course States the vision Vision and Mission Discussion Week 1
Orientation and mission of the of the University Day 1
University, quality Quality Policy 1.5 hrs
policy, institutional Institutional
outcomes and Outcomes Goals of
goals of the the College
College.
B. Elements and Historical Development of Teaching Profession
1. Elements Discusses the Elements of a Assessment of prior Week 1
of a elements of a profession knowledge Day 2
Profession profession Definition of Class Discussion/ 1.5 hrs
and Meaning Explains the teaching as a Personal study of the
of Teaching meaning of profession as lesson
as a teaching as a related to the Small Group
Profession profession elements of a discussion
profession (Activity 1.1)
Activity by pair
(Activity 1.2)
2. Meaning Explains the Etymology of Individual Activities Week 2
of Teaching meaning of vocation and (Activity 1.3) Day 3
as Vocation teaching as a mission Small Group Activity 1 hr
and Mission vocation and Free sharing of
mission insights from
additional readings

Module 1, Gaining Insights on the Essence of Teaching as a Profession, Vocation and Mission Page 1
Lesson Focus Topics Activities Schedule
3. Historical Traces the Historical Assessment of Prior Week 2
Development historical development of the Knowledge Day 4
of the development of teaching profession Class Discussion/ 1.5 hrs
Teaching the teaching Personal study of the
Profession in profession in the lesson
the Philippines
Philippines

Learning
Contents
.
The three lessons in this module will equip you with the necessary knowledge on the
elements of the teaching profession, the meaning of teaching as a profession, as a
vocation and mission. It also orients you on the historical development of teaching
as profession in the Philippines.

Lesson 1 Elements of a Profession and Teaching as a Profession

Lesson 2 Teaching as a Vocation and Mission
Lesson 3 Historical Development of Teaching as a Profession in the
Philippines

Teaching and Learning

Activities

What Do You Already Know?

.
Before proceeding to our main lessons, I want you to, first do the following:

A. Analyze the following scenarios in the box, then, in your group of 5-7
members explain what does the word “professional” means in each case.
1. The owner of a certain company always tells his employees the
following lines whenever he checks their work: “Gusto kong makita na
ang trabaho nyo ay gawang propesyonal, pulido at maipagmamalaki”.
2. Principal M is highly regarded by the people in the community because
her ways in dealing with different kinds of people is very professional.
3. A person who passed the board examination and took oath for his/her
profession is usually greeted or congratulated in this way,
”Congratulations, welcome to the world of professionals” or “now you
are truly a professional”.
4. Supervisor Mora, after scolding and insulting her subordinate in front of
many people, she heard these words from those who witnessed the
scenario: “Napakaunprofessional naman nya, mataas pa naman ang
posisyon nya”.
5. Experts in their own field like medical doctors, lawyers, engineers, and
education consultants can collect professional fees for their services
rendered.

Module 1, Gaining Insights on the Essence of Teaching as a Profession, Vocation and Mission Page 2
 B. Based from you discussions of the scenarios in your group, what elements of
a profession were you able to derive?
C. Answer the following items:

1. Can a vehicle driver be considered a professional based on the elements

of a profession?
a. No, because driving is not a college or university degree.
b. Yes, because there is such a term as professional driver.
c. No, if the driver drives only a motorcycle.
d. Yes, if the driver has a technical and ethical competence required of
him/her.
2. Teaching was elevated to a profession only in 1994 with the passage of
R.A. 7836. Is it TRUE or FALSE?
3. You are called to be a teacher and you are sent to the world to teach. This
means that you are fulfilling the meaning of teaching as
a. Profession
b. Mission
c. Vocation
d. Labor

To check how well you fared in your activity. Go to the Feedback part of this
module.

Let‟s add to what you already know

Lesson 1
Elements of a Profession and Teaching as a Profession

Based from our discussions of the scenarios presented before this lesson, we
can say that there are at least two elements of profession and these are (fill-in the
blanks): 1.____________________ 2._______________________
Now let us study the other elements of a profession as described in the book
The Teaching Profession by Purita P. Bilbao, et al.
Elements Explanation
1. Initial Professionals generally begin their professional lives by
Professional completing a university program in their chosen fields – teacher
Education education, engineering, nursing, accountancy. This means that
long and arduous years of preparation.
The term initial is used here because this is just the beginning and
a professional is expected to learn continuously.
2. Accreditation University programs are approved by a regulatory body like the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the Philippines to
ensure that graduates from these recognized programs start their
professional lives with competence.
3. Licensing Licensing is mandatory, not voluntary and is administered by a
government authority. In the Philippines, the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC) is the one governing the process of
licensing in the country.

Module 1, Gaining Insights on the Essence of Teaching as a Profession, Vocation and Mission Page 3
 Elements Explanation
4. Professional This is an ongoing professional education that maintains or
Development improves professionals‟ knowledge and skills after they begin
professional practice. In the Philippines this is a Continuing
Professional Development mandated by R.A. 10912, otherwise
known as CPD Act of 2016.
5. Professional Professionals see themselves as part of a community of like-
Societies minded individuals who put their professional standards above the
individual self-interest or their employer‟s self-interest. These
professional societies put dedication to the public interest and
commitment to moral and ethical values.
Professional societies define certification critieria, manage
certification programs, establish accreditation standards and
define a code of ethics and disciplinary action for violations of that
code.
6. Code of Each profession has a code of ethics to ensure that its
Ethics practitioners behave responsibly. The code state what
professionals should do. Professionals can be removed from their
professional societies or lose their licenses to practice for violating
the code of ethics. (McConnel, Steve. Source:
http://www.alexbrown.com/prof9.html)
A code of ethics and professional conduct outlines the ethical
principles that govern decisions and behavior at a company or
organization. They give general outlines of how employees should
behave, as well as specific guidance for handling issues like
harassment, safety, and conflicts of interest
(https://www.betterteam.com/code-of-ethics-and-professional-
conduct)

Remember
this!

In the Philippines, teaching profession is governed by the Code

of Ethics for Professional Teachers which we are going to
discuss in Module 3 of this course. Violation of the Code of
Ethics for Professional Teachers is one of the grounds for the
revocation of the professional teachers’ Certificate of
Registration and suspension from the practice of the teaching
profession (Sec. 23., R.A. 7836)

Module 1, Gaining Insights on the Essence of Teaching as a Profession, Vocation and Mission Page 4
What is a Profession
A profession is an occupation that involves specialised training and formal
qualification before one is allowed to practice or work.
Society and community place a great deal of trust in the professionals

Teaching as a Profession
“Teaching is a noble profession.” When we say profession, it refers to „work‟,
„job‟, „career‟, „occupation‟.
If you consider teaching as your profession then:
- You must be willing to go through a long period of preparation.
- You must be willing to go through continuing education. (continuous
development of potentials)
- You have to strive for excellence.
- You commit yourself to moral, ethical, and religious values and dedicate
yourself to service.

The processes of teaching include understanding and adhering to legal and

legislated frameworks and policies; identifying and responding to student learning
needs; providing effective and responsive instruction; assessing and communicating
student learning; developing and maintaining a safe, respectful environment
conducive to student learning; establishing and maintaining professional
relationships; and engaging in reflective professional practice. (We will discuss this
further in other modules dedicated to this).

Now, that you have thoroughly analysed our first lesson, let us check how
much you have learned by doing the activities prepared for you.

Note: Use the attached answer sheets found at the end of this module and submit to
your teacher.

Try this with your group (Activity 1.1)

Consider this line from Bernard Shaw‟s play: Man and Superman
“those who can, do; those who can’t , teach.”

People who are able to do something well can do that thing for a living,
while people who are not able to do anything well make a living by
teaching.

State your group understanding of the phrase.

Having learned the elements of a profession, do you agree with Bernard Shaw?
Explain your answer in 3-5 sentences.

Module 1, Gaining Insights on the Essence of Teaching as a Profession, Vocation and Mission Page 5
Do this with a partner (Activity 1.2)

Complete this statement with at least 5 things you derived from our discussions and
personal study of the lesson. (You may consider our setting in the Philippines when
answering)

Teaching is a profession. It requires:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

A Question for you to ponder on

(Do this with your partner for your bonus points)

Is professionalization synonymous to professionalism?

(Your answer must be in 4-6 sentences)

(When teaching was professionalized under the Republic Act 7836, did this mean
that all teachers automatically exhibited professionalism? Refer to the attached copy
of R.A. 7836 to support your answer).

Module 1, Gaining Insights on the Essence of Teaching as a Profession, Vocation and Mission Page 6
 Lesson 2
Teaching as a Vocation and a Mission

In addition to being a profession, teaching is also considered to be a vocation

and a mission. Try to answer the following questions and exchange ideas with your
group and with other groups.
1. What does a parent mean when she says “I think my son has a
calling to teach children”? Is this statement related to vocation
or mission?
2. “Mission accomplished” is a statement soldiers usually use
when reporting to their superior. What does this imply?

Let‟s discover if your answers are right by learning this new lesson on
teaching as a vocation and as a mission. Let us start with the etymology or
explanation of these two terms:
Etymology of the word “vocation”
www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/vocation
- from the Latin word “vocare” – to call
- if there is a call - there must be a caller and someone who is called
- the work that a person does or should be doing
Vocation - a strong desire to spend your life doing a certain kind of
work.

Etymology of the word “mission”

- from the Latin word “Misio” –To send
- an important goal or purpose that is accompanied by strong
conviction
Mission - any important task or duty that is assigned, allotted, or self-
imposed

Teaching as a Vocation
 Teaching is considered as an instrument for which utilizes a teacher as an
instrument to touch lives.
 Teaching is also considered a vocation because teachers are summoned to
teach or some teachers have strong inclination to partake in the total
formation and transformation of young people.
 It is a self-emptying enterprise that allows teachers to partake in the
development of humanity.
 Teachers who said “yes” to their call to teach perceive teaching as a lifetime
commitment which guarantees teaching with quality through the years.
 The teacher‟s love of teaching is the key motivating factor to remain in their
career despite the numerous challenges and stressors as well as low pay of
the teaching career.

Module 1, Gaining Insights on the Essence of Teaching as a Profession, Vocation and Mission Page 7
  This commitment to their calling has remained inspiring and fulfilling among
teachers in the country.
 It was God who called someone to teach.
 Teaching is more than a noble profession. It is a vocation, a calling.
 The teacher is the most important person in any civilization, as on him
depends the molding of the nation.
 There are not many born teachers, but there are those who love teaching,
and there are those who enter it as an occupation.

Teaching as a Mission
- Teachers, just like a person or group of persons are commissioned to carry
on a task or perform a service that is to develop human resources of the
country and to transform lives of students for the better.
- If teaching is a mission, then teachers are sent and entrusted to carry on a
“task” in this world.
- To perform this task, there is a need for teachers to render their commitment,
they have to obtain adequate preparation or training and pursue continuing
professional education to accomplish it.

Your Individual Activities (Activity 1.3)

A. Imagine yourself now as a teacher. Reflect on the topics we just discussed and
try to formulate your own definitions (at least 2) of a teacher or teaching. An
example below is given as your guide.
- Teaching is a mission, not a source of income.

Give also another 2 quotations from famous authors or Bible verses (your most
favorite). Include the name of author/Bible chapter & verse of your source.

B. After reflecting from our discussions and self-introspection, compose 2-3

paragraphs explaining why you choose teacher education as your course or why you
want to be a teacher. Explain further in your own words why you consider teaching
as a vocation and what makes it a mission.

C. Below are examples of a Mission statement. Create your own.

“our mission is to train those who will grow up to

be the adults of tomorrow. Those who will live
in the world, we will leave behind a legacy, a
world they will have to keep shaping and
constructing on and on. Their success will also
be ours.”
- Christian Guellerin -

Source: Source: Teaching Profession (OBE and K-12

https://oh16000217.schoolwires.net/cms/lib/OH16000217/Centricity Compliant) Cortez, Angelica G., et al.
/Domain/93/My_Mission_Statement.pdf

Module 1, Gaining Insights on the Essence of Teaching as a Profession, Vocation and Mission Page 8
Do this as a Group (for your bonus points)

Name some men who were called and commissioned by God as revealed in the
Bible? You may indicate the Book, chapter and verses where these can be read and
the purpose why God have called them. Give at least 3 names and share your
output with your classmates.
For those who use books other than the Bible, you may also share what indicated in
your source.

Read this and share to others what you have enjoyed in relation to teaching.

“THE TRUE DECALOGUE”

by Apolinario Mabini

First. Thou shalt love God and thy honor above all things: God as the fountain of all truth, of all justice
and of all activity; and thy honor, the only power which will oblige thee to be faithful, just and industrious.

Second. Thou shalt worship God in the form which thy conscience may deem most righteous and
worthy: for in thy conscience, which condemns thy evil deeds and praises thy good ones, speaks thy
God.

Third. Thou shalt cultivate the special gifts which God has granted thee, working and studying according
to thy ability, never leaving the path of righteousness and justice, in order to attain thy own perfection, by
means whereof thou shalt contribute to the progress of humanity; thus; thou shalt fulfill the mission to
which God has appointed thee in this life and by so doing, thou shalt be honored, and being honored,
thou shalt glorify thy God.

Fourth. Thou shalt love thy country after God and thy honor and more than thyself: for she is the only
Paradise which God has given thee in this life, the only patrimony of thy race, the only inheritance of thy
ancestors and the only hope of thy posterity; because of her, thou hast life, love and interests,
happiness, honor and God.

Fifth. Thou shalt strive for the happiness of thy country before thy own, making of her the kingdom of
reason, of justice and of labor: for if she be happy, thou, together with thy family, shalt likewise be
happy.

Sixth. Thou shalt strive for the independence of thy country: for only thou canst have any real interest in
her advancement and exaltation, because her independence constitutes thy own liberty; her
advancement, thy perfection; and her exaltation, thy own glory and immortality.

Seventh. Thou shalt not recognize in thy country the authority of any person who has not been elected
by thee and thy countrymen; for authority emanates from God, and as God speaks in the conscience of
every man, the person designated and proclaimed by the conscience of a whole people is the only one
who can use true authority.

Eighth. Thou shalt strive for a Republic and never for a monarchy in thy country: for the latter exalts one
or several families and founds a dynasty; the former makes a people noble and worthy through reason,
great through liberty, and prosperous and brilliant through labor.

Ninth. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: for God has imposed upon him, as well as upon thee, the
obligation to help thee and not to do unto thee what he would not have thee do unto him; but if thy
neighbor, failing in this sacred duty, attempt against thy life, thy liberty and thy interests, then thou shalt
destroy and annihilate him for the supreme law of self-preservation prevails.

Tenth. Thou shalt consider thy countryman more than thy neighbor; thou shalt see him thy friend, thy
brother or at least thy comrade, with whom thou art bound by one fate, by the same joys and sorrows
and by common aspirations and interests.

Therefore, as long as national frontiers subsist, raised and maintained by the selfishness of race and of
family, with thy countryman alone shalt thou unite in a perfect solidarity of purpose and interest, in order
to have force, not only to resist the common enemy but also to attain all the aims of human life.

https://www.tagaloglang.com/true-decalogue-apolinario-mabini/

Module 1, Gaining Insights on the Essence of Teaching as a Profession, Vocation and Mission Page 9
 Lesson 3
Historical Development of Teaching Profession in the Philippines

As citizens of the Philippines and future teachers, it is very essential that you
have to learn the development in the professionalization of teaching in our country.

How much you know about the history?

Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if it is wrong.
________ 1. The first legal document that professionalized teaching in the
Philippines was Presidential Decree (PD) 1006.
________ 2. It was the Americans who elevated teaching in the Philippines as a
profession.
________ 3. Republic Act 7836 is also known as Decree Professionalizing Teaching.

How many items you got it right? To know the correct answer go to the
Feedback part of this module.

Let’s add to what you already know

In 1976, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued the Presidential

Decree 1006 also known as the Decree Professionalizing Teaching which became
the first legal document that professionalized teaching. The Decree specifically stated
the following legal considerations in professionalizing teaching:
- “to insure that in the immediacy and urgency of teacher recruitment,
qualitative requirements are not overlooked, …”.
- “although teaching requires a number of years of collegiate study, it is the
only course that it is not yet considered a profession;”
- “in recognition of the vital role of teachers in nation-building and as an
incentive to raise the morale of teachers, it is imperative that they be
considered as professionals and teaching be recognized as a profession.”

In 1994, Republic Act (R.A.) 7836, otherwise known as the Philippine

Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994, was passed to …. “promote quality
education by proper supervision and regulation of the licensure examination and
professionalization of the practice of the teaching profession.” (Section 2).

Let us trace back how teachers are prepared during the pre-Hispanic,
Spanish and American periods.

Pre-Hispanic Period - no established formal schooling in the

country.
- no formal preparation for teachers.
- mothers and fathers and tribal leaders served
as teachers at home and in the community

Spanish Period - free public school system was established

by virtue of Educational Decree - one school for boys and another school for girls in
1863 every municipality.
- Spanish missionaries served as teachers.
- started training teachers in normal schools

Module 1, Gaining Insights on the Essence of Teaching as a Profession, Vocation and Mission Page 10
 *normal school run by Jesuits to educate male
teachers in Manila was established.
*normal schools for women were not established
until 1875
Former Dean of the College of Education of the University of the Philippines,
Diliman, claims:

The foundations of teacher education in the Philippines were laid by the

Spanish government during the mid-eighteenth century. It is said to have
begun on August 4, 1765, when King Charles of Spain issued a Royal
Decree requiring each village to have a “maestro.” On November 28, 1772,
another Royal Decree specified the qualifications of teachers. However, it
was not until 1863 that there was a specific attempt to systematize and
update the education of Filipino teachers.

At the end of Spanish rule, schools during the Spanish era were closed for a time of
Aguinaldo‟s government. So there was no teacher preparation that took place.

American Regime - American soldiers served as the first teachers.

- in 1901, the Philippine Commission enacted into law
Act 74 which created the Department of Public
Instruction, laid the foundations of the public school
system and offered free primary education for Filipinos
- there was a shortage of teachers
- the Philippine Commission authorized the Secretary of
Public Instruction to bring to the Philippines 600 teachers
from USA. They were the Thomasites.
- Due to urgent need for teachers, the Americans gave
bright young Filipino students opportunity to take up
higher education in American colleges and universities
financed by the Philippine Government. They were the
pensionados.
Act 74 of 1901 also provided for the establishment of Philippine Normal School
(PNS) in Manila. The Philippine Normal School formally opened in September 1901,
as an institution for the training of teachers. For more than two decades, PNS
offered a two-year general secondary education program. In 1928, it became a
junior college offering a two-year program to graduates of secondary schools. In
1949, the Philippine Normal School, renamed Philippine Normal College (now
Philippine Normal University), offered the four-year Bachelor of Science in
Elementary Education. Other four-year teacher education courses followed after.
This means that the present four-year preparation for the professional teacher began
as a two-year program only. Teacher preparation became four years only in 1949
and thereafter.
For additional information on who are Thomasites and pensionados visit the following links or just scan the QR
Codes:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomasites#:~:text=The%20Thomasites%20were%20a%20group%20of%20

https://www.geni.com/projects/The-Pensionado-Act-of-the-Philippines/13372

Do this activity with a partner (Activity 1.4)

Illustrate in a timeline the development of the teaching profession in the
Philippines
Module 1, Gaining Insights on the Essence of Teaching as a Profession, Vocation and Mission Page 11
Take this test to assess your understanding
(Use the attached answer sheet for your answers)

1. What law mandates Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as the

mandatory requirement for the renewal of Professional Identification Card?

2. In the Philippines, what government agency is given authority to administer

licensing of the teaching profession?

3. What is the main function of the Commission on Higher Education in ensuring

quality teacher education graduates? (2 points)

4. If someone consider teacher as his/her profession, he/she must be willing to:

(give 3 in relation to the elements of profession)
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
5. R.A. 7836 is also known as __________________________________.

6. During the American Regime what law created the Department of Public
Instruction in 1901.

7. By virtue of what decree the free public school system was established during
the Spanish period?

The answers to this test will be provided by your teacher.

Go to Feedback part of this Module

References:

Bilbao, P., Corpuz, B., Llagas, A., Salandanan, G. 2018. The Teaching
Profession. 4th Edition. Lorimar Publishing

Bilbao, P., Corpuz, B., Llagas, A., Salandanan, G. 2015. The Teaching
Profession. 3rd Edition. Lorimar Publishing

Cortez, A., Cortez,B., Esguerra,D., Molano,T.,Alonzo,E. 2019. The Teaching

Profession (OBE and K-12 Compliant). St. Andrews Publishing House

Soto, Cornelia C., Pila, Rowena A., Montera, Melvin O. 2011. Advance LET
Reviewer and Practice with Legal Guide. Book 1. Anvil Publishing, Inc.

https://prc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/CPD-FAQs-62918.pdf

https://ched.gov.ph/ched/

Module 1, Gaining Insights on the Essence of Teaching as a Profession, Vocation and Mission Page 12