Module 1

Nature of Teaching and Teacher Roles

“A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others”Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

In this Module

A. The Roles of a Teacher

1. As a Person
2. As a Professional
3. As a Community Leader and Social Advocate
4. As a Model of Character
5. As an Expert

B. Challenges in Teaching
1. Multicultural classrooms
2. Learner-centered teaching
3. Multi-grade classes
4. ICT Integration
5. Multiple Intelligences
6. Children with Special Needs

C. UNESCO’s Four Pillars of Education

It is widely recognized that teachers are the backbone of any educational

system. Teachers play a significant role in the lives of the learners, thereby enhancing
the quality of what happens in schools and preparing them to be active members of
society need the highest teaching level. This module will allow you to explore teachers'
different roles and the challenges they face in their respective classrooms as facilitators
of learning.

At the completion of this module, you are expected to:

 Explain what teaching is and describe the roles of the teachers in the teaching
learning process

Are you ready? Then start the lesson now!

 Lesson
1 The Roles of a Teacher

At the end of the lesson the students can:

1. Explain the meaning of the “teaching profession” and what it means
to be a teacher.
2. Describe the roles of a teacher in the teaching-learning process of the
learners
3. Cite qualities that a professional teacher should possess

Introduction

Teaching is a timeless profession. It is the premise of all other professions. Great

teachers plant seeds that produce competent physicians, good accountants, excellent
engineers, and other professions that eventually expected to be good citizens. The
importance of teachers as an architect of our future generations demands not only the
best, and the most competent individuals of society are allowed to qualify for this noble
profession.

In this lesson, you will explore the different roles of a teacher in the teaching
learning process.

Minute Talk

Ask the students around you about the question given below. Record the key term/s of
their answer.

What are the qualities of your favorite teacher/s?

 Let us Analyze

Guide Questions:

1. What makes you think that those qualities mentioned above define a good
teacher?
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2. Assessing yourself now, do you think you already have those qualities? Why?
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3. As a future teacher, what are you going to do to acquire and possess
qualities of a good teacher?
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 Abstraction: Let Us Build on!

What is teaching?
Various definitions have been given to teaching. Check below how scholars defined
teaching.

Nilsen and Albertalli (2002), teaching in Schlechty (2004) defines teaching as an

its broadest sense is the process art of inducing students to behave in
whereby a teacher guides a learner or a ways that are assumed to lead to
group of learners to a higher level of learning, including an attempt to induce
knowledge or skills. students to so behave.

Desforges (1995) defines teaching as Melby (1994) states that teaching is not
the management of pupils’ experience, merely dispensing subject or lesson-
largely in classrooms with the deliberate having, but an art which involves the
intention of promoting their learning. student in the teaching-learning process
where the student is given the chance to
Frimpong (1990) defined teaching as participate fully in the process – that the
the process whereby a teacher imparts teacher accepts each pupil and has a
knowledge, skills, attitudes and values favorable attitude towards individual
to a learner or group of learners in a differences.
way that respects the intellectual
integrity and capacity of the learners Farrant (1980) simply defined teaching
with the aim of changing the behavior as a process that facilitates learning.
of the learner(s)’.

Thring, (2001) says pouring out knowledge is not teaching. Hearing lessons is not
teaching …… teaching is getting at the heart and mind so that the learner values
learning and to believe that learning is possible in his/her own case.

Smith (2004) sees teaching as the process of carrying out activities that
experience has shown to be effective in getting students to learn. He goes on to
say that teaching is that which results in learning – learning is the responsibility of
the teacher and that if students do not learn, it is the fault of the teacher. He
capped his statements on teaching by stating that teaching is undertaking certain
ethical tasks or activities, the intention of which is to induce learning.

Source: International Educative Research Foundation and Publisher © 2013 Page | 37 International Journal for
Innovation Education and Research www.ijier.net Vol. 1-03, 2013
 From the above definitions of teaching, it can be inferred that there are two
essential forms of institutionalized teaching: (a) formal teaching in which teacher guides
a teaching-learning cycle with limited student involvement; and (b) informal teaching in
which the teacher acts as a guide, facilitator, mentor or motivator, and participation by a
student is very high.

Roles of a Teacher
Teachers play very important and demanding tasks in the learners’
developmental process. They are more than entrusted with the task of molding the
character of the learners and making them productive members of society. They
represent role models for the learners who are still in their physical and mental
development, especially those who are in their early stages. If teachers perform their
role well, the learners will realize the importance of the positive traits and values being
imparted to him.
Let us review the different roles of the teachers.

Teacher as a Person

Possess the quality of an effective teacher.

 Come to class prepared
 Maintain positive attitudes about teaching and about students
 Hold high expectations for all students
 Show creativity in teaching the class
 Treat and grades students fairly
 Display a personal, approachable touch with students
 Cultivate a sense of belonging in the classroom
 Deal with student problems compassionately
 Have a sense of humor and did not take everything seriously
 Respect students and do not deliberately embarrass them
 forgiving and do not hold grudges
 Admit mistakes

Source: Walker, R. J. (2008). Twelve characteristics of an effective

teacher: A longitudinal, qualitative, quasi-research study of in-service and
pre-service teachers' opinions. educational HORIZONS, 61-68.
 Teacher as a Professional

 Completed a baccalaureate degree in the field of teacher

education from a college/university recognized by CHED
 A Licensure Examination for Teacher (LET) passer
 Continued involvement in professional development as mandated
by RA 10912, otherwise known as the CPD Act of 2016
 Complies with the professional and the ethical standards of a
profession reflected in the Code of Ethics
 Have professional competence shown by mastery of the subject
matter and understanding of the learners.

Teacher as a Community Leader and Social

Advocate

 A great leader who focuses on shared decision-making, collaboration,

and community building. She/he provides opportunities for each
student to assume leadership roles.
 Actively participate in community movements for the betterment of
the community
 Establish learning environments that respond to the need of the
community by participating in community activities that promote
learning.
 Use community networks to publicize school events and achievements
 Maintains stature and conduct that upholds the dignity of teaching

Teacher as a Model of Character

  empowers and motivates you to develop your potential to the fullest
and see the best in yourselves
 shows respect to your ideas and opinions, allowing you to freely
express your thoughts and feelings. This teacher sets an example for
you to learn to respect and listen to other people.
 set a model to use constructive criticism and advice as an opportunity
to grow as an educator
 Majid, R. A., Ali, M. M., & Alias, A. (2014) identified five important
themes on exemplary teacher’s characteristics.
o a teacher who motivates
o a teacher who has futuristic outlook
o a teacher who makes their students feel important
o a teacher who is passionate about his/her subject
o a teacher who has the agenda to shape the students’ attitude

Teacher as an Expert

According to Hattie, J (2003) expert teachers

1. Can identify essential representations of their subject(s)

 have deeper representations about teaching and learning
 adopt a problem – solving stance to their work
 can anticipate, plan, and improvise as required by the situation
 better decision – makers and can identify what decisions are
important and which are less important decisions

2. can guide learning through classroom interactions

 proficient at creating an optimal classroom climate for learning
 are more context-dependent and have high situation cognition

3. can monitor learning and provide feedback

 are more adept at monitoring student problems and assessing their
level of understanding and progress, and they provide much more
relevant, useful feedback
 are more adept at developing and testing hypotheses about learning
 difficulties or instructional strategies

4. can attend to affective attributes

 have high respect for students
 are passionate about teaching and learning

5. can influence student outcomes

 engage students in learning and develop their students’ self-
regulation, involvement in mastery learning, enhanced self – efficacy,
and self – esteem as learners
 provide appropriate, challenging tasks and goals for students
 have positive influences on students’ achievement
 enhance surface and deep learning

Do this: Write a poem using the Haiku format synthesizing concept of teaching
and good qualities of a teacher. Share it with others after.
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Application: Let’s Apply

A. Direction: Gather images (clippings from magazines, photographs, or your

own drawings) and organize them to illustrate roles of a teacher. Paste your
illustration in the box provided below.

B. Today I learned that ……

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Closure
CONGRATULATIONS for a job well done!
You may now proceed to lesson 2.

Lesson
2 Challenges in Teaching

At the end of the lesson the students can:

1. Describe the various challenges of the teachers in facilitating the teaching

learning process.

Introduction

Teaching is perhaps the oldest profession in the world. Knowledge and skills
have been passed before, regardless of tradition, race, and society. The only difference
today is the existence of learning institutions and is done by certain qualified personnel
in a given subject of study.

However, just like any other job, challenges, and benefits are prevalent in
teaching. In this lesson, you will learn the different challenges that the teaching force
experienced in performing their duty.

Make it Personal
Direction: Interview a teacher concerning challenges in the classroom and ways
of overcoming it. Write a summary of the interview using the matrix below: You
may add a row if necessary.

Challenges in the Classroom Ways of Overcoming it

 Let us Analyze

Guide Questions:

a. From the interview you have conducted, what do you think is the most pressing
concern of the teacher? Why?
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b. Do you agree with the strategy used by the teacher in addressing the difficulty?
Why?
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c. If you are the teacher, how are you going to overcome the challenge?

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Abstraction: Let Us Build on!

Challenges in Teaching
The significant contributions of the teachers in the life of the learners are
undeniable. They have all the opportunities to impact the lives of the learners. However,
parallel to this opportunity are the challenges they are facing inside the classrooms.
Let us take a look at the distinctive classroom challenges that the teachers are
confronting within the classroom.

Multicultural Classrooms

1. Language Barrier
 The main difference between multicultural and ordinary classroom is a
language barrier. Coming from various countries and even city districts,
children can speak the same language, but they can never understand
each other.
 Learners get into the environment where a teacher uses a language they
do not understand at all. Their task is not just to understand what a
teacher says but also to gain new information – twice harder than in a
normal classroom.

2. Domination of different learning styles

  learners absorb information in a variety of ways
 A teacher should give their students all the learning styles (auditory,
visual, tactile, etc.) to better understand the information.

3.Non- verbal behavior

 Body language of another ethnic group is difficult sometimes to
understand
 When the teacher is not conscious of the non-verbal behaviors
characteristic of the society where his learners are from, this may lead to
several troubles and difficulty of right interpretation.
 Examples of non-verbal behaviors are raised hands, eye contact, and head
nods

4. Presenting one topic from different perspectives

 restricted number of school lessons does not always provide the
opportunity for the teacher to present topics different prospective
independent on the nationality or ethnic tribe

5. Diversity of extracurricular activities

 It is the teacher’s job to provide different extracurricular activities that
would accustomed learners familiar with new traditions, a way of life
relationships in this modern society

6. Teaching communication skills

 Apart from difficulties in using a foreign language, students may feel
uncomfortable or unable to express their views because of the fear not to
be understood.
 Teachers should inspire students to discuss different issues, speak up
their minds on a range of topics, and foster a friendly classroom
atmosphere.

7. Constant work with parents

 Communication with parents can help understand how a learner feels in a
new environment, has been raised from childhood, what tradition
influenced his view of the world, etc.

Source: https://blog.noplag.com/challenges-of-multicultural-education/

Learner – Centered Teaching

  Designs of the classrooms are not appropriate design for the learner-
centered teaching methods
 Some teachers are in a rush to implement the approach without a
thorough understanding of the principles and a careful plan of teaching.
 It may be the case that while many teachers are personally committed
to serving learners’ needs, the structure of their organization and
policies may not accommodate or, in some cases, hinder the desire to
be more learners-centered.
 Teachers must try to manage all learners’ activities at once, which can
be challenging when learners are working on different stages of the
identical project
 Because the teacher does not deliver instructions to all learners at once,
some learners may miss vital facts
 Some learners choose to work alone; thus group work can become
challenging

Sources:
http://www.languageinindia.com/nov2017/annielearnercentredclassfinal.pdf
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1247962.pdf

Multi–Grade Classes

 Needs further planning of learning materials for the curriculum.

 Needs a more thorough analysis of learners' developmental features at
all age levels participating in the class, approaches, and strategies that
are successful and feasible within a multi-grade class.
 More investment in the organization of the classroom as a learning
environment.
 More meticulous and systematic record-keeping to keep track of
student progress, curriculum development and implementation is
required.
Source: https://www.slideshare.net/Pilmathe2001/the-challenges-of-multigrade-teaching

ICT Integration

 Concerns on the availability of technology infrastructure

 Lack of technical support
 Lack of teacher collaboration and pedagogical support
 insufficient time to learn new technologies or integrate ICT during a
class period
 Lack of funds for operations and maintenance
 unavailability of ICT resources or materials in school in which ICT
trainers were found difficulty to realize the knowledge and skills gained
in trainings

Source: http://www.ijern.com/journal/2018/September-2018/13.pdf

Multiple Intelligences

 challenges in the implementation of multiple intelligence in the

curriculum
 assessments of students and problems along with the instructions which
are tailored for diverse learning
 preparation of individualized or differentiated instructions

Source: https://www.educatorone.com/blog/Challenges-of-Implementing-
Multiple-Intelligence-in-the-Curriculum/
 Children with Special Needs

 Lack of teacher’s training in handling children with special needs

 Lack of competence
 Lack of concrete materials
 Assessment and evidence of student growth
 Collaborating with general education teachers
 Variability of students’ needs
 Lack of experience in an inclusion setting
 Lack of experience dealing with severe and profound disabilities
 Individualized lesson plans
 Dealing with parents of “typically developing” students
 Dealing with multiple disabilities

Sources:https://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2012/02/01/the-top-10-
challenges-of-special-education-teachers/
https://wehavekids.com/education/Top-Challenges-Teacher-Face-in-Special-
Needs-Inclusive-Classrooms

Do this: Write a single summary sentence that answers the what, why and how about
the topic “Challenges in Teaching”.
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Application: Let’s Apply

A. Direction: Write a short article about how the information on challenges in

teaching applies to your major field/specialization?
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B. Today I learned that ……

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Closure
CONGRATULATIONS!Hope you enjoy lesson 2!
You may now proceed to lesson 3.

Lesson
3 UNESCO’s Four Pillars of Education

At the end of the lesson the students can:

1. Describe UNESCO’s four pillars of education as a guiding principles of

learner’s holistic development

Introduction
 Every nation aims to achieve the goals of quality education. Its target goes
beyond producing graduates that are just equipped with the necessary skills needed to
be employed but also concerns with the holistic development of the students needed to
become an active builder of the society.
In this lesson, you will learn the four pillars of the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and their applicability in the teaching-
learning process.

Picture Prompt

Direction: Identify and describe the pictures below. Explain your description
about the pictures

Let us Analyze

Guide Questions:
 4. Based on your answer above, what do you think is the concept being
shown in the pictures?
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5. How are the pictures related to your role as a teacher?

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6. As a future teacher, what are you going to do to equip students with

learning opportunities guided by the concepts you mentioned?
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Abstraction: Let Us Build on!

UNESCO’s Four Pillars of Education

UNESCO's four pillars of education are the guiding principles of education
systems worldwide to ensure quality education for everyone. Those principles
underscore a holistic and a higher level of skills to strive to self - actualization to better
serve our diverse and ever-changing world. These four pillars of education are learning
to know, learning to do, learning to live together, learning to be.

Learning to Know
Development of the Head: Knowledge
 to learn and to discover
 To develop one’s concentration and memory skills.
 to understand the world around them
 to think critically
 to understand sustainability concepts and issues

Learning to Do

Development of the Hand: Skills and Actions

 Very much related to “learning by doing” of John Dewey
 Students should be “doing” rather than “listening.”
 Putting knowledge and learning into practice
 Transformation of skills learned in school into personal competencies
or interpersonal skills throughout life.
 Development of not only of occupational knowledge but also skills and
talents, social behavior, personal initiative, and a willingness to work
 Ability to communicate effectively with others

Learning to Live Together

Development of Values: Attitudes

 Appreciation of the human race's diversity
 Respect for other people and their beliefs, cultures, and value systems
 A total shift from self-centeredness
 Empathy and mutual social involvement in caring and sharing
 The willingness to understand others and to resolve conflicts through
dialogues
  Competency in working towards common objectives

Learning to Be

Development of the Heart: Awareness and Understanding

 Development of the mind, intelligence, sensitivity, aesthetic sense,
personal responsibility, and spiritual values
 Development of the qualities of imagination and creativity
 Total fulfillment of man, in all the richness of his personality
 Learning to be human
 Development of personal commitment and responsibility

Do this: Write a short advice letter to yourself on how to successfully provide

learning experiences to students guided by the Four Pillars of Learning.
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Application: Let’s Apply

A. Direction: Fill in the table below using the criteria provided.

Pillar of Learning Skills Required Strategies to develop

the skills
Learning to Know
 Learning to do

Learning to Live
together

Learning to be

B. Today I learned that

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Closure
Wow, CONGRATULATIONS for completing the first module!
Good Job.

Module Summary

This module includes lessons that encourage you to explore the different roles
of a teacher as an architect of our future generations. The various attributes of a good
teacher as a facilitator of learning have been explored. In addition, the difficulties that
teachers face in promoting student learning have also been discussed. Finally, the
guiding principles of learners’ holistic development of UNESCO’s four pillars of education
were revisited. Hopefully, the facts presented will all the more ignite your passion to be
a part of molding the future generation holistically.

References
 Bilbao, Purita P.; Corpuz, Brenda B., Llagas, Avelina T. &Salandanan, Gloria.
2018. The Teaching profession.
 Hattie, J. (2003). Teachers Make a Difference, What is the research evidence?.
 International Educative Research Foundation and Publisher © 2013 Page |
37 International Journal for Innovation Education and Research
www.ijier.net Vol. 1-03, 2013
 Majid, R. A., Ali, M. M., & Alias, A. (2014). Teacher Character Strengths and
Talent Development. International Education Studies, 7(13), 175-183.
 Olaniran, Sunday. (2016). Revisiting UNESCO Four Pillars of Education and its
Implications for the 21st Century Teaching and Learning.
 Walker, R. J. (2008). Twelve characteristics of an effective teacher: A
longitudinal, qualitative, quasi-research study of in-service and pre-service
teachers' opinions. educational HORIZONS, 61-68.
 https://www.slideshare.net/tinmay/the-teacher-as-a-person-in-the-society
 https://www.slideshare.net/madeehaminhas/teacher-as-a-role-model
 https://www.slideshare.net/nooremah/teacher-as-role-model
 https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1071186.pdf
 http://soeagra.com/ijert/ijertjune2015/7a.pdf
 https://sg.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/37688/9/09_chapter%205.pf
 https://blog.noplag.com/challenges-of-multicultural-education/
 https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1247962.pdf
 http://www.languageinindia.com/nov2017/annielearnercentredclassfinal.pdf
 https://www.slideshare.net/Pilmathe2001/the-challenges-of-multigrade-teaching
 https://www.slideshare.net/deepali2009/planning-and-implementing-guidance-
programme-in-schools?next_slideshow=2
 https://www.slideshare.net/deepali2009/planning-and-implementing-guidance-
programme-in-schools?next_slideshow=2
 https://www.educatorone.com/blog/Challenges-of-Implementing-Multiple-
Intelligence-in-the-Curriculum/
 https://degree.astate.edu/articles/k-12-education/common-challenges-in-
teaching-special-education.aspx
 https://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2012/02/01/the-top-10-challenges-of-
special-education-teachers/
 https://wehavekids.com/education/Top-Challenges-Teacher-Face-in-Special-
Needs-Inclusive-Classrooms
 https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a501/1ccbe91d98674ab95c635fb098733ea9403
b.pdf
 http://iflex.innotech.org/GURO21/module1/l1_20.html
 https://www.academia.edu/19090829/FOUR_PILLARS_OF_EDUCATION