HOW CAN WE BE SUCCESSFUL IN OUR PROFESSION?

AMMIE B. BACSAN

To become a successful teacher, one must know the principles of teaching. Those of us who are engaged in teacher education know this. But we also ask ourselves, how can we be effective in the educational system?

We have to start with ourselves from a realistic point of view. We should implement self-improvement by accepting who we are. Coupled with selfacceptance, these are essential ingredients to be successful in our profession. How do we do this? Appraise yourself – honestly – particularly your attitudes, habits and needs. When we discover our needs, we will also discover our strengths. It would not hurt to also know the standards and codes of ethics.

We must also be professional when it comes to our attitudes. Correct habits toward work will make a happy worker and learner.

Also, we should be professional with our habits, which contribute to a successful teacher, like promptness in all professional obligations. There is no “Filipino time” here. We should always be on time if we want our own pupils to be punctual in attending their classes.

When it comes to our personality, we should seek improvements – which must come from within. We should take care of ourselves as teaching is a strenuous enough job to drain an unhealthy or overtired body.

We should also learn to get along with people, which contribute to our success as a teacher. When we do this, we add something to our growth as a teacher and as a learner of human nature.

While we get along with our peers, it is also important that we get along with our students. We should know their personalities and characteristics. We, in turn, should be a good example to them.

It is also imperative to have a good relationship with our superiors, because if we work in harmony with them, we can achieve more satisfying results. The relationship, though, should be on a professional basis.

We should also be in contact with our students’parents, as this will help us learn a lot about our students.

The community also plays a central role in our success. As a teacher, we must have a working knowledge of the nature of the community by respecting the peoples’customs, mores and the social values. We must learn from the people so that you will be better able to help them.

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The author is Teacher III at Manibaug Paralaya Elementary School