EXCELLENCE IN 21ST CENTURY TEACHING: A CALL TO COMPETENT TEACHERS

SYREEN L. ESTRADA

A competent teacher strives for excellence in teaching. There are many teaching strategies for the past years. Some are effective, others are not. It is because of the different learning styles of the children.

A teacher never gets satisfied with only one strategy for all the lessons to be taught. It will just make learning dull.

Learning never stops, so is teaching. We are in the 21st century and effective learning must be achieved.

This makes sense in calling the competent teachers to achieve excellence in 21st century teaching.

Twenty-first century teaching considers the varied learning styles, communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity of the learners and integration of ICT in the lesson.

The modern year aims for quality and productive learners. Learners must be globally ready.

The competent teachers should know how to implement effective 21st century teaching strategies for the learners of today. Being excellent in applying 21st century strategies is like being excellent in your craft. It is not enough that you just know the different strategies.

You should know what subject would be suitable for it, which among the learners would fit on it and how are you going to apply it.

You must have the ability to teach and reach all the learners. In achieving excellence with these strategies, you must know how to differentiate learning so that learners will be able to learn on their own way and unique style.

Make technology as one form of motivation to them. Consider technology in thinking of a new strategy.

They learn best when they get amazed with what they see on the way you teach. You must facilitate interpersonal relationships within the classroom so that the learners will value the sense of camaraderie and unity. You can instigate some activities where they can share what they know and discover. Collaboration is one skill that must be developed to 21st century learners. They must realize that the work of all is more effective that the work of one. Communication skills of the learners must be enhanced. They must be given the opportunity to express themselves in every discussion.

Strategies in which you show the creative side of the learners can boost their confidence. Critical thinking of the learners can never be measured. A competent teacher must know how to think ways on how the learners can develop their critical thinking.

They must learn how to think rationally on what they see, what they are going to do and what they are going to believe.

Excellence cannot be attained in just a snap. It is a process. It can only be done by the competent teachers.

They serve with a heart. They know the needs of the learners. They do not stop from making children learn.

They work hard for excellence. This excellence is not only for them as teachers but also for the school and for the learners. These learners may be simple today but as they grow up, they will be great individuals someday. They will have in their path all the things and sacrifices that their teachers have taught, shown and exerted.

Change is the only permanent thing in this world. There might be changes every year but what is important is you cope with these. A competent teacher is being called to be a 21st century teacher. I am ready to be one.

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The author is Teacher II at Sta. Lucia Integrated School