Education is not the learning of

FACTS, but the training of the mind

to THINK.
- Albert Einstein
The Concept of Teaching as a
Profession

- Lanz Avery G. Corpuz

 Objectives:

• Explain the dimensions of teaching;

• Discuss the reasons why teaching is an art, science, craft, mission and vocation;
• Explain the reasons why teaching is considered a profession
• Enumerate the characteristics of a profession and how teaching as a profession fits
well in these characteristics; and
• Create a career statement highlighting he reason/s for choosing teaching as a
profession.
 WHAT DOES TEACHING MEAN?
• Teaching is an intimate contact between a more mature personality and a
less mature one which is designed to further the education of the latter.-
H.C. Morrison (1934) 2.
• Teaching is defined as an interactive process, primarily involving
classroom falk, which takes place between teacher and pupil and occurs
during certain definable activities. - Edmund Amidon (1967)
• Teaching is a system of actions involving an agent, an end in view, and a
situation, including two sets of factors-those over which the agent has
no control (class size, size of classroom, physical characteristics of pupil
etc.) and those that he can modify such as a way of asking questions or
ideas gleaned -80. Smith (1969)
• Teaching is a task of a teacher, which is performed for the
development of a child-T.F. Greens (1971)

• Teaching is the process that facilitates leaming. The teacher has

an important role to play 6. because he acts as a catalyst, actively
stimulating learning - Farrant (1980).
• Teaching is a cluster of activities that are noted about teachers
such as explaining, deducing questioning, motivating, taking
attendance, keeping record of works, learners' progress and
background information.-G. Wells (1982).
 DIMENSIONS OF TEACHING
The scope of the teaching profession is enormous and this makes

teaching as a multi-dimensional profession. The following

constitutes the different dimensions of the teaching profession:

The Why of Teaching (Entering the Profession)
The reasons for choosing teaching as a career are diverse, ranging from the most sublime to the most superfluous. One
may be motivated to become a teacher because he/she loves children or he/she likes to make a big difference in the
lives of these children. It may also happen that one likes to enjoy more vacation time as teachers enjoy two-month
summer leave - a privilege which is not enjoyed by other professionals. Understanding the "why of teaching is
important among pre-service teachers as it gives them a point of reflection on the very purpose of entering the
teaching profession. Reflecting on their ultimate intent in choosing teaching career explains, in the long run, their
classroom behavior and teaching performance. This happens because their thoughts and behavior are largely
dependent on their reasons for teaching.

The Who of Teaching (Learners)

Learners are the reasons for the existence of teachers, schools, and school administrators. Without learners, none of
these would exist. Pre-service teachers must have a good grasp of the nature of the learners such as their
differences, motivations, learning styles, intelligences, socio-cultural backgrounds, and academic performance. Since
teaching profession has the mission to be learner-centered, pre-service teachers must have a full understanding of
the learners who are considered the center of teaching, the main actor of learning, and the heart of all educational
tasks.
The When of Teaching (Evolution of Teacher Education in the Philippines)
Teaching is an evolving profession. It has its early beginning and it is continually changing across time. The 21st
century presents a different social landscape for learners and this necessitates changing the mindset of pre-service
teachers in determining what to teach, how to teach, and where to teach. They should have a sound understanding
of the transition of Philippine education, especially the historical growth of education as this is essential in
analyzing the educational reforms and the trends of teaching profession in this country.

The How of Teaching (Pedagogy)

Teachers are required to find means and ways to enhance learners' learning. They become subject tacticians if
they have a rich repertoire of teaching strategies. Applying different teaching strategies is the professional identity
of teachers. Because they are equipped with varied techniques and principles of teaching, they present and
discuss things differently. It has to be stressed that engineers, doctors or accountants can become teachers,
however, their approach is far different from a teacher. They tend to be teacher-centered and content-focused
because they are not equipped with varied methodologies in teaching. In effect, they dominantly use the lecture
method which may not be very interesting, engaging, and fun for the learners. On the other hand, teachers teach
differently from other professionals because they employ varied teaching approaches and utilize meaningful
activities that evoke better learning outcomes.
The What of Teaching (Curriculum)
The curriculum constitutes the educational content. goals, and intended outcomes as well as competencies to be
taught and developed among the learners. Pre-service teachers need a comprehensive understanding of the
curriculum as this is the basis of all teachers' actions. The curriculum is the roadmap of all the activities in school
and the ultimate measure of the results of instruction. Significantly, implementing the curriculum chosen by the
state is one thing unique in the teaching profession. This curriculum ultimately defines what the learners should
learn, how they will learn it, and why they have to learn it. In short, the state easily defines a good Filipino citizen
and a useful Filipino worker because these attributes are developed by the curriculum.

The Where of Teaching (Field placement)

The place for teaching and learning is evolving. Teaching no longer takes place under one roof or done through a
face-to-face encounter between teachers and learners. Learners are no longer confined in the four walls of the
classroom. They are rather fielded in hospitals, industries, communities, and the like to observe how theories are put
into practice. Interestingly, information and communications technology has now re-ordered the place of teaching
and learning. Today, classrooms are structured differently equipped with the most recent and sophisticated
technology. Moreover, teaching and learning take place anywhere at any time with the advent of technology. With
these changes, pre-service teachers need to know this dimension of teaching so that they w will be updated of the
various alternative venues of teaching.
METHAPORS OF TEACHING
1. an art;
2. a science;
3. a craft;
4. a mission; and
5. a vocation
 Teaching as an ART
• Teachers are considered artists like the musicians, dancers, painters, and
sculptors, among others. They demonstrate creativity, reflection, and
innovation in their work. Like an artist, teachers use teaching as a medium
to express themselves. In teaching, they express their ideas and beliefs
through the senses just like the artists presenting their thoughts through
their art.

• More importantly, inspiring learners to pursue and enjoy learning makes

teaching an art. Inspiring teachers touch the sensibilities and humanity of
their learners, thereby motivating them better to learn and live in this
world. Given all these explanations, the art in teaching therefore springs
from the teacher's personality, experience, and talents.
 Teaching as an ART
• According to Elliot Eisner (2005), there are four (4) reasons that make
teaching as an art, to wit:
Teaching is an art because it can be performed with such skill and grace that, for learners as
for the teacher, the experience can be justifiably characterized as aesthetic.

Teaching is an art because teachers, like the painters, composers, etc, make judgments based
on qualities that unfold during the course of action.

Teaching is an art because the teacher's activity is not dominated by prescriptions or routine,
but is influenced by qualities and contingencies that are unpredicted

Teaching is an art in the sense that the ends it achieves are often created in the process.
 Teaching as a SCIENCE
• Science is an organized or systematic body of knowledge that springs from empirical
evidences. Teaching is a science because it is done in a systematic and orderly manner.
Like science, it entails a deep knowledge and application of effective techniques
emanating from empirical studies.
• Most learning theories like Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development, Gardner's
Multiple Intelligences, Piaget's Cognitive Development, and Pavlov's Conditioning
Theory are products of intensive experimentation with children and laboratory tests
with animals. These experiments drew conclusions and implications concerning
human learning and teaching.

• Moreover, the process of asking questions is also considered a science. For example,
answering the question, "What are the most effective strategies to promote effective
learning to grade 1 learners?" requires scientific method. It needs evidences and
reasoning which are the elements of science.
 Teaching as a CRAFT
• A craft requires a kind of skilled work that undergoes planning and executing
process in order to produce a product or object. Combining science and art
result to "creating or forming individuals who may become engineers,
doctors, pilots, priests, and leaders of the country.
• According to Pratte and Rury (1991) craft professionals have venous skills
and practices reflecting a different sort of knowledge base

• Furthermore, Kerchner and Kaufman (1995) argue that "although all

professions have elements of craft knowledge, teaching's reliance on highly
indeterminate experiential knowledge rather than codified information
identifies it as a craft-profession rather than an expert-profession. This is not
to say that such knowledge is necessarily less substantial, or of a lower
order, than more abstract forms of knowledge."
 Teaching as a MISSION
• Teachers are commissioned to accomplish a task or perform a service. Such

.
tasks include developing the human resources of the country and
transforming lives of learners for the betters.
• The word mission, in its verb tense means to send as it comes from the Latin
word "misio”. Missioning, therefore, connotes sending one or an organized
group to accomplish a mission,

• As a noun, the Merriam Webster's Dictionary defines "mission" as "task

assigned" It is synonymous with "assignment and work if teaching is thus a
mission, then teachers are sent and entrusted to achieve a task in this world.
To perform this task they need to render their commitment, obtain adequate
preparation or training and pursue continuing professional education
 Teaching as a VOCATION
• The word "vocation" is synonymous with "summon" as it comes from the
.
Latin word "vocare" which means "to call" As a noun, Merriam Webster
defines it as a strong desire to spend one's life doing a certain kind of work.
It is likened to the call to priesthood as there is a divine plea joining and
performing religious life.
• Teachers are summoned to teach because they have a strong inclination in
partaking in the total formation and transformation of young people.

• Teachers who positively responded to their calling perceive teaching as a

lifetime commitment. In effect, they teach with passion and touch lives
through the years. This commitment remains inspiring and fulfilling thereby
making teaching truly a vocation.
What does profession mean?
• The term profession is associated with numerous meanings. Its root
word is “profess” which means to show, demonstrate or manifest.
Anyone who holds a profession is called “professional” who is able
to profess expertise of specialization and a determination for
excellence in the field.

• John Goodlad in 1984 defines profession as a vocation or occupation

requiring advanced education and training and involving intellectual
skills.

• On the one hand, it is an occupation which performs a crucial social

function.
 Characteristics of a
Professional
.
• specialized knowledge base (technical culture)

• commitment to meeting client needs (service ethics)

• strong collective identity (professional commitment)

• collegial as against bureaucratic control over practice

and professional standards (professional autonomy)
 Characteristics of a
Professional Autonomy
Profession
.
• Mosby's Dental Dictionary (2008) defines professional autonomy as "The night and
privilege provided by a governmental entity to a class of professionals and to each
qualified licensed caregiver within that profession to provide services independent of
supervision
• The autonomy of a profession can be determined in two (2) ways One is
the use of professional judgment and the other is self-interest and
continuous process of critical evaluation
• On the other hand professionals claim their professional autonomy when they
work to serve their own interests. This is understandable because professional
groups are considered interest groups Nonetheless professional autonomy
can only be ensured if the members of the profession, subject their activities
and decisions to a critical evaluation by other members of the profession.
 Characteristics of a
Profession
Highly developed theoretical or specialized knowledge

.
• A profession is founded on an extensive period of training and education. It usually
ranges four to ten years to attain a college or university degree.

• Through rigorous and lengthy training, the prospective professionals learn the
body of professional knowledge and skills that are distinct to their profession.

• In addition to the basic years of formal education sometimes other professional

groups may require additional graduate studies or research and more years of
experience before taking the board or licensure examination.
 Characteristics of a
Profession
Control of Training certification and licensing of new
entrant
.
• A new entrant undergoes control of training, certification, and licensing. Normally
aspiring professionals are y required to enroll in an institutionalized training, for
example, in a university or college where knowledge and skills in the field are
standardized.

• After the formal training, they are certified by the degree granting institution to
take the board or licensure examination. Passing the licensure examination is the
only way to be admitted to the professional body which is based mainly on
theoretical knowledge Hence licensed individuals are the only recognized bona
fide members of the professional body.
 Characteristics of a
Profession
Self-governing and self-policing authority especially with
regard to professional ethics
•
.
Normally all professions have professional bodies. The professional association
acts as an interest group enhancing the status of their members and controlling
the entry requirements to the field.

• The principal goal of professional bodies is to self-regulate by asserting their

independence from governmental interference especially in setting the professional
standards. This is often termed as professional closure as it seeks to inhibit entry for
the unqualified and to sanction or expel incompetent members Usually the self-
governing and self-policing goals of professional bodies are managed and regulated
by senior respected practitioners and the most highly qualified members of the
profession.
 Proofs that Teaching is a Profession in the Philippines
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) declares teaching as a profession
in the Philippines. The basis is that teachers satisfy the basic requisites of being a
professional as follows:
1. They passed the licensure examination for the profession called Board Licensure
Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT)
2. They are members of an Accredited Professional Organization (APO) in the country
Specifically, teachers are members of the National Organization of Professional
Teachers (NOPT)
3. Teachers undergo Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by attending or
participating in professional development activities like seminars, workshops,
conferences, and other activities that enhance their skills and knowledge in their
profession, and
4. Teachers abide by the code of ethics of their profession called the Code of Ethics for
Professional Teachers.
 Luring Factors of Teaching as a Profession

Influence/importance to learners

• Teachers play a critical and influential role in the formation of character, mental and
physical development of youngsters They shape young minds, so to speak.

• This role of teachers is one of the greatest attractions to the teaching profession and
for considering it as an honorable, important, and respected profession.

• However, this attraction holds true only when teachers find teaching enjoyable and
purposely driven to make a difference in the lives of the youngsters
 Luring Factors of Teaching as a Profession

Job security

• Job security is one factor in making a career choice. Although job security is
something difficult to measure, teaching can hold assurance that teachers will keep
their jobs without the risk of becoming unemployed

• In the Philippines, once employed in public schools, teachers obtain permanent

posts and their tenure is protected by the Civil Service Commission
 Luring Factors of Teaching as a Profession

Wider job opportunities offered

• Teaching provides enormous opportunities. Teachers can become researchers

consultants, book writers, resource speakers, extensionists, private tutors, and the
like.

• These diverse opportunities can be attributed to the fact that teaching profession
provides wider skills and knowledge that they can use in many other jobs in the
Philippines, teachers are tapped during fiesta, election, surveys, examinations,
wedding. christening, and other socio-civic and religious events
 Luring Factors of Teaching as a Profession

Diversity of activities
• Seeking an interesting job is one thing that is sought in making a career choice.

• Teaching is said not to be a boring job because the clients of teachers are human
beings who are alive and dynamic. Because of this, every day provides new
experiences for teachers and new ways of doing things.

• Moreover, the variety of activities required in teaching makes it an interesting job

Teachers can be involved in activities along sports culture, quiz bee, religion,
music, drama, conference, and the like.
 Luring Factors of Teaching as a Profession

Long Holidays
• Long holidays can be a luring factor in choosing a career. Teachers can enjoy long
holidays with pay .

• They also get paid when classes are suspended due to typhoons, and other national
or special holidays. This is on top of the long summer vacation that enjoy with pay.
 Luring Factors of Teaching as a Profession

Shorter Hours of Work

• Teachers claim that they spend longer time working than other professionals.

• As a matter of fact, they often complain of the voluminous paper works which they
bring home from school. However, other professionals reject this idea because
teachers work shorter hours than most other working people.

• As prescribed by the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, teachers are allowed
only to have instructional time of six (6) hours a day which is lower than that of
other professionals.
 Hallmarks of the Teaching Profession
Ability to make a difference in the lives of learners
• Teaching is not teaching unless teachers make a big difference in the lives of their
learners. Making a difference in the lives of learners means changing their lives for
the better.
• There is no other profession in this world as influential in shaping the minds and
character of the young Teaching is a profession where one can hone the minds, form
the character and sharpen the skills of the young which result to change or
transformation in their lives.
• Presidents of various nations, philosophers, scientists, engineers, and rich
businessmen around the world have always attributed their success in one way or the
other to their teachers who have significantly impacted their lives.
• No other profession can equal this role of teachers and this pride is the envy of other
professions
 Hallmarks of the Teaching Profession
Joy of working with learners

• Working with learners is a double-bladed experience.

• Some teachers find working with children and teens as a very difficult and stressful
task However, to some this is an opportunity to touch young lives and contribute in
their formation and transformation

• The happiness is higher than the salary one receives every month or the honors and
awards received for exemplary academic performance.
 Hallmarks of the Teaching Profession
Watching learners rise to the challenge of the subjects

• Observing that the learners are enjoying and progressing in their level of competency
(knowledge, skills and attitude) is the greatest and ultimate joy of teachers. They find
happiness when learners are able to hurdle challenging tasks, written works, and
performance tests required in the subject

• Significantly, teachers find joy when learners develop love for the subject because of
the creative presentation, inspirational advice, and good packaging of the teachers.

• If a learner dislikes mathematics, this is not because he/she does not understand the
subject but this is because the teacher taught it the hard way or in the most
uninteresting way.
 Hallmarks of the Teaching Profession
The joy of working with people in general and youth in particular

• One thing unique in the teaching profession is its clienteles.

• These clienteles are young people who are in the formative stage i.e. they are still
building their mental, social, cultural, physical, and spiritual self In this case, the
contribution of teachers is great in building the personality, character and life skills
of the learners.

• Interacting with the learners makes teachers feel young at heart because they get
updated with new terminologies, expressions fads, fashions, and crazes in the society
 Hallmarks of the Teaching Profession
Love of the subject matter

• Teachers teaching different learning areas have a deeper understanding, appreciation,

and love for their fields of specialization.

• For example, science teachers usually advocate environment protection, MAPEH

teachers advocate exercise, healthy eating and lifestyle, and social studies teachers
advocate cultural awareness and preservation of heritage.

• his happens because they have the essential competencies needed to develop these
skills and they want to pass these competencies to empower learners and community
members.
 Factors Undermining the Status of Teaching
Profession in the Philippines
Low pay
• How much one makes in his/her job is a main determinant in choosing and
remaining in his/her career. Low pay

• There has been a contrasting view whether or not teaching is a lucrative profession
or whether teachers are paid enough for the work they do.

• According to Tides, (2001), as cited by Frufonga (2015), the Filipino teachers' salaries
are not competitive with those in other professions of equal or less education and
responsibility. This is corroborated by Tinio (2008) who asserted that "Filipino teachers
and their families are reeling from the sleep increase in the cost of living brought by the
price crisis and the hike in energy cost“.
 Factors Undermining the Status of Teaching
Profession in the Philippines
Lack of authority/learner behavior problems
• According to Rosenow (1993), an examination of the contemporary publications in the
philosophy of education reveals that the authority of the teacher is being eroded.
Low pay
• Riggio (2017) revealed that student bullying of teachers is reaching epidemic
proportions Students can bully teachers in various ways-acting out in the class,
challenging the teacher, or in more subtle forms like spreading humors

• In the Philippines, House Bill No 58 (Teacher Protection Act of 2016) was approved by
the House Committee on basic education and culture authored by Representative
Antonio Tinio. The bill seeks to institute support mechanisms for public school teachers
and school personnel in matters of student discipline and mechanisms for classroom
management, and provide for their protection against cases related to such (Press and
Public Affairs Bureau, House of Representatives, 2018).
 Factors Undermining the Status of Teaching
Profession in the Philippines
Teachers' lack of control over workplace

• One of the indicators for professional autonomy is the ability of the members of the
profession to set the environment to which Lowthey
pay practice their profession.

• Using this indicator, however, shows that teachers lack the control over their workplace.
As a matter of fact, most of

• As a matter of fact, most of the current threats to teachers professional autonomy are
not direct attacks on the ability of teachers to make decisions about the work they do,
but rather erosions of the work environment that effectively limit and discourage the
exercise of those decisions.
 Factors Undermining the Status of Teaching
Profession in the Philippines
Interference of other stakeholders in schools

• Many people have a stake or personal interest in school These include the learners,
teachers, school administrators, school personnel.
Low pay parents, community leaders, politicians
and the like.

• As each one is affected by the conditions decisions, and changes in school, everyone seeks
to work for his/her interest and advantage

• When the interest of teachers conflict with other stakeholders, they get perplexed on
what to do. Consequently, this is the principal cause of their stress and dilemma in their
profession.
 Factors Undermining the Status of Teaching
Profession in the Philippines
Stress
• Teaching can be a very stressful undertaking Teachers may be stressed in coping with the
demands and expectations of school heads, learners, parents, community, and other
Low pay
stakeholders.

• They need to cooperate and deal effectively with all these people in order remain and
retire in teaching career On top of this professional demand, teaching can be very stressful
due to the heavy workloads and long hours of teaching.

• In a study conducted by Allas, et al (2007), they found out that stress level and high
working hours were significant contributors for the low back pain among public high
school teachers in the City of Manila. Thus, they recommended preventive measures
such as workload and hours minimization and stress reduction program for teachers.
 Factors Undermining the Status of Teaching
Profession in the Philippines
Multiplicity of teacher roles and responsibilities
• Very much related to stress is the multifarious roles and responsibilities played by teachers
in the practice of their profession Low pay

• Lucman (2015) reveals that "Filipino teachers see themselves as powerful members of
society who fulfill a multidimensional social function. They can shape all aspects of society-
family, culture, morality, economy, and politics.

• Usually, it is difficult to determine where the roles and responsibilities of a teacher should
stop. This implies that teachers need to know their boundaries. While doing varied and
numerous tasks by the community are opportunities to showcase their multifaceted talents,
it is otherwise considered the root cause of their being overused, misused, and abused in
the society.
 Factors Undermining the Status of Teaching
Profession in the Philippines
Teacher morale
• Morale is the mental and emotional condition of teachers manifested by their confidence,
cheerfulness, and willingness to perform assigned
Low pay
tasks.

• Teachers' morale plays a critical role in remaining and maintaining their enthusiasm,
passion, and motivation to teach. A low morale makes teachers become lazy, unmotivated
and directionless in performing their official duties.

• On the other hand, a high morale increases the teachers commitment and teaching
performance. According to Lucman (2015). "Filipino teachers believe that Philippine society
considers their occupation as inferior to other professions despite seeing themselves as
influential social actors."
 REMEMBER:

Teaching is a profession laden with risk and responsibility that requires a

great deal for those who enter into it.
- John I. Goodlad
Thank You!!!