THE ESSENTIALS ON BECOMING A TEACHER

PRECILLA C. CHICO

The September 2018 LET Results Teachers Board Exam (Elementary, Secondary) was released last December7, 2018. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 18,409 elementary teachers out of 90,750 examinees (20.29%) and 60,803 secondary teachers out of 126,582 examinees (48.03%) successfully passed the exams. After earning this licensure or certification, what now these passers can expect from the teaching profession?

Teachers work is more of a “labor of love”. Those who choose to enter the teaching profession are looking forward to an intensive career of educating students and possibly moving up into administrative positions, where they can have a great impact on curriculum development and school system planning.

At the time teachers step into the classroom, they already face so many challenges like managing the physical aspect of the classroom, dealing with diverse learners, and making their learners learn the lesson prepared for them. It is a tough job that encompasses so many dealings.

Edmund M. Kearney wrote a book entitled “On Becoming a Teacher” published on 2013. In this book he shared attitudes and essentials on becoming a successful teacher. There are five essentials according to Kearney (2013).

The first one is being authentic. This means that a teacher must be true to himself. He must also share himself generously with students. By doing this, he serves as a model in the learning process and transforming their students to become lifelong learners.

The second is being passionate. Passion according to Keaner is something that can be created. Passion is something that already resides within. It is insatiable and realistic. A teacher simply must teach from passion that is teaching with a heart.

The third is being zealous. As teachers, you must be zealous. Teach with intensity and enthusiasm. Your zealousness must be contagious. In this way students will be full of energy enough to enjoy being in school to learn from you.

Next is being greedy. Being greedy here is not negative when it comes to expectations for students’to learn. As teachers, you should never be satisfied with the level of your students’learning. Challenged your students to achieve more and become better each day.

The last essential is being more than tolerant. Every student in the classroom is unique. A teacher must have tolerance to accept and celebrate differences. Understands and accepting the uniqueness of every student is essential to successful teaching. Students will feel that they are welcome and valued making the room a comfortable place to learn.

The journey on becoming a teacher is never a chance but more of a choice. It is a choice and a hard decision to commit your life and touch the lives of students who can make a change for the betterment of the society. Learning to become a successful teacher is a lifelong journey.

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The author is Secondary School Teacher III at Balucuc High School