CHAPTER 1
THE TEACHER AS A PERSON IN THE SOCIETY
OBJECTIVES
• Identify several values roles performed by teachers in
the society;
• Discuss the values of teachers as community leaders;
and
• Appreciate the role of teachers in the society.
THE TEACHER AS AN INDIVIDUAL PERSON
Understanding the teaching profession requires deeper
appreciation of the lives of teachers as individuals in the society.
A. 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 task.
• Teachers are blessed with special talents and skills that are
useful in fulfilling their noble task of molding the minds and
character of the future generations of leaders, professionals
and responsible citizens.
THE BODY PARTS OF A TEACHER
• Brain- to always think critically and creatively.
• Eyes- to see the individual needs, strength and nature of each students
• Ears- to listen to students’ ideas and concerns
• Hands- to guide to students and show the right direction
• Heart- to love all the students regardless of who and what they are
• Mouth- to speak the truth, discuss knowledge and speak wisdom to students
• Feet- to walk with the students, explore the surroundings and discover new
knowledge and information
• Nose- to breathe deeply and relax when feeling tired or pressured
TEACHERS HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS
• Teachers have emotional, social, spiritual, physical,
economic and other needs. Many times their call to duty
made teachers very busy in everyday that they set aside their
individual needs. During the night they are obliged to make
their lesson plans, check papers and accomplish other school
forms and reports. Many teachers sacrifice their own needs
in order to serve. Teachers need time to relax, rest and enjoy
with their families.
TEACHERS HAVE ECONOMIC NEEDS
• While teaching is not a profession to make people
rich, teachers also need money to sustain their
everyday and to feed their own families.
TEACHERS NEED SECURITY AND JUSTICE
• Some teachers suffer from the perils of injustice. Some
teachers are victims of kidnapping by lawless groups
especially in areas controlled by insurgents where kidnap for
ransom activities are rampant. Some of them are victims of
school officials too. Their promotions are sometimes tainted
by giving lavish gifts and their favors to their superiors rather
than by the merit of performance.
TEACHERS NEED TO BE RECOGNIZED AND
APPRECIATE TO BOOST THEIR EMOTION AND
SELF-ESTEEM
• This not literally means they want appreciation for the
services they render. It means people must be more
understanding of the life and duty of a teacher. the school
provide them with a nurturing environment that allows the
individual and professional growth. The school should also
recognize the outstanding works and commitments of
teachers.
TEACHERS NEED SPIRITUAL SUPPORT
• The task of a teacher are heavy to bear considering all the
demands of their job and all the unnecessary stresses they
experience. In doing these task, teachers needs some form of
spiritual guidance and inspiration of their religion.
TEACHERS NEEDS ROLE CLARITY
• Another recurring need of teachers has been to identify the
various roles a teacher has to perform, to explore how clear
the expectations for each role are(role clarity) and to
understand possible tensions between different roles(role
conflict).
TEACHERS HAVE SOCIAL NEEDS
• They need to socialize into the society to know the people
and to understand the social realities experienced by
students in everyday. As an agent of the society, teachers
need to have good relationship with other social agencies
and groups. They need to build good relationship with
families, community leaders and other professionals.
TEACHERS NEED TO COPE UP WITH
VARIOUS CHALLENGES AND CHANGES
• The teaching profession requires teachers to respond to
different challenges and changes brought by information
technology changing social values system, economic
challenges and cultural diversity. Changes can provide
opportunities to innovate and can act as an important catalyst
for a critical reflection of established practices.
REFLECT AND WRITE YOUR ANSWER TO
THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
1. What are the personal characteristics of an ideal teacher?
2. What talents and skills do you have that can be shared or used when you become a full-pledge
teacher?
3. Think of a teacher whom you consider to be talented and skillful in his or her teaching. How
do his or her talents benefited his or her teaching?
4. What other needs of teachers can you identify?
5. As future educator, what do you think is the best way that the government can do to meet the
needs of the teachers?
6. Do you believe that teachers are unfairly treated compared to other professions? why?
