- MIGUEL ANGELO V. MAGBANUA
The writer is an Agriculture teacher under the Technology and Livelihood Education Department of Negros Occidental High School. He was an NOHS Huwarang Guro awardee in 2018. The award was sponsored by the U.S.-based Medstar Billing Technology and Resources.
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There are thousands and thousands of teachers in the country who are doing their best in educating children and young people. While many of these teachers perform their tasks willingly, not many are considered as effective teachers.
It takes more than just mastery of the subject for one to excel in his or her profession or job as a teacher. The following guidelines may help one in excelling as a teacher.
Hard work. Any outstanding teacher, especially those who have been long in service, will say that hard work is essential. There are many teachers at Negros Occidental High School who have been serving silently yet effectively by putting in lots of hours of work, persevering and enduring demanding situations, even forsaking personal comfort and financial gain while continuing to be faithful to their commitment as educators.
Faithfulness to calling. Being an educator is not just a profession or a career. More than these, it is a calling, like being called by God to minister to young people. One will not last in the profession if he or she is in this job just for the salary. Unfortunately there are those who enter the profession only to resign shortly and look for so-called greener pastures elsewhere.
Love of work. Because they consider teaching as a calling, mentors spontaneously develop the love of teaching, the love for their students and colleagues including their superiors. They find joy and fulfillment in what they do. No one will ever succeed in any kind of work if he or she has not learned to love it they realize that love of work begets compassion, patience and greater understanding of their students and circumstances surrounding their lives.
Firm values. More than teaching skills and proficiency, a teacher must be grounded in strong values and character. He or she must have self-control, kindness, love and respect for students deep in his or her heart. One’s strong values are manifested and felt by the students, who are influenced by what they see and experience in their interaction with their mentors, both inside and outside the classroom or school.
Faith-centered. Teachers must have fear in God, be anchored in Christianity or other faiths, be guided by the Bible or Holy Book and live their spirituality. Undeniably, these create great influence and impact on their students in their mission to shape and mold young lives. Related to this, in the case of Christians, is their considering Jesus Christ as the Greatest Teacher of all times. This way, the teacher develops a work ethic being taught in the Bible and exemplified by Jesus in his life on earth. Through his or her words and deeds, the teacher becomes a living example for his or her students.
Beyond 8-5-oriented. For an effective teacher, work goes beyond the 8-5 and 24/7 time frame. While it is true that teacher, like other workers, need rest, one must not be bound by a time cycle in the performance of duties. In short, he or she is willing to walk the extra mile if necessary for the sake of the learners.
Technology and Livelihood Education teachers at NOHS, for example have the opportunity to work beyond the usual hours even during vacation. There are activities that entail constant monitoring, like in animal production project, where proper nutrition and management in the poultry and piggery are needed almost everyday, if not daily. Here lies the need for the 24/7 orientation and commitment of the teacher as the animals need daily care and management.
Adaptability in mindset. Flexibility and adaptability are necessary when new situations or circumstances arise. This is particularly true in the case of the pandemic, which has largely affected our personal and official lives. Adjustments have to be made by everyone. In the case of schools, the distance and blended learning system has been implemented, making it even more challenging for teachers, especially those handling performance or skills-related subjects, like agriculture, mechanical, technical and even science courses. Enovation and creativity are needed to design and implement these subjects via modules, broadcast or online platforms since face-to-face classes have been suspended.
In addition, teachers have to improve their digital technology knowhow so that they can handle classes and interaction with students more effectively. This is difficult particularly for those teachers who have minimal background and training in computer literacy. However, because of the need of the time they have to be adaptable, learn and re-learn and even unlearn, so that they can deliver services to the learners and the school efficiently and with maximum effectiveness.
Overall, an effective teacher may be guided by this passage from Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatever task comes your way to do, do it with all your might because there is no work, or planning, or knowledge, or wisdom in the grave, which is where you are headed.” – NWI
