Commitment to the profession Empathy to the students Cordial Relationship with Colleagues

1. The Real Basics
By: Joseline Manuel-Santos, Ph.D.
For fifteen years of teaching in the Basic Education in a private school here in Malolos, I can say
that I know “THE REAL BASICS”. The Basic Education is the recipient of our teacher graduates. Pupils and
students will learn from our future graduates. If this is the case, what kind of graduates do we produce?
Graduates who will be the source of knowledge, skills, values and attitudes of the learners. From the
number of subjects to be taken in Professional Education, it seems that everything is important,
everything must be remembered, and everything will be applied. Are we expecting our future teachers to
master everything? What are the real basics of teaching in the Basic Education?
Once you get there after being hired as a probationary teacher, you have to show your guts, they
are expecting something from you. Mastery of the subject matter, lesson planning, teaching strategies,
writing test questions and classroom management are just some of the expectancies of your colleagues
and coordinators. But, actually when you are already there just remember these three things: develop a
sense of commitment to the profession, empathy with students, and cordial relations with the colleagues.
Developing a sense of commitment is knowing the teacher’s obligation to the profession. Once
we enter in this course, and after the series of activities and practices done inside classroom and during
practice teaching we have to embrace the work, works rather attached to it. Works? Name it and the
teacher does it. It is the only work that rest is just an option because work is just waiting to be done. Have
you ever thought of while resting, sitting on your couch or watching TV or browsing your Facebook
account, at the same time checking quizzes and test papers? How about while lying down on your bed,
thinking of the activity to be done by your students during your period? How about while washing dishes,
thinking of a teaching strategy appropriate for a particular topic and considering also the diversity of your
students? How about while on a travel going to the market, thinking of what kind of motivation that will
be catchy? Want more examples? Ask a teacher.
Empathy with students has something to do with our understanding towards their feelings.
Students at young age experience frustrations in their life. It could be problems from their home wherein
conflicts among family member exist; classmates who bring pressure; or teachers who can’t make their
lessons easily understood. What can we do as teachers? Make the experience of the students inside your
class develop their potential and self-confidence. Teachers bring a big impact to the life of the students.
Students see hope in us, let us not fail them.
Cordial relations with the colleagues is something really need to be given attention. Many
teachers don’t develop commitment to the institution because of the pressure coming from co-teachers.
The demand of “pakikisama” is very evident for an entrant to get the sympathy of others. It takes effort,
patience and strong determination. Colleagues are always grouped into three, those who challenge you,
those who help you and those who don’t mind your existence. These are the kinds of people who are
waiting for you in the field.
Teacher should never be considered the idea of teaching as a career. For fifteen years of practice
in education, teaching is far more than a career; it is more on having a livelihood and being promoted

2. after all. Fifteen years ago, as a graduate of Computer Science, I tried teaching as a job while waiting for
the right chance for a work suited for my knowledge and skills. As years passed by, I don’t realize that I
am now giving my life into teaching, at first I perform well for my superior, for them to know that I am
good, but now I give my best, I do my best and I sacrifice a lot because of my students. Now, when I am
giving advice to new teachers, I’m telling them that once they do something better for their students, they
are also doing the same thing to their superiors and to the school.
The school should provide a structured program for novice teachers which is the mentoring
program. According to a study, teachers who were provided with multiple supports, were less likely to
move to other schools and less likely to leave teaching occupation altogether after their first year. Some
forms of assistance and support, however, did not appear to increase beginners’ retention (Ingersoll and
Smith). Becoming a teacher does not end to being competent to the area of the study or being used to
the school environment but most of all is being a person with good values. Together with the effectiveness
of a teacher in the subject, a personal character must also be visible along the teaching. This is what each
teacher should strengthen to his/her teaching. Look at the leaders we have now in our country, all of them
graduated from prestigious universities with honors but how do they perform their works? They all have
the skills and knowledge but personal values are missing, conscience never bothered them anymore.
Everything must start within, if all teachers possess commitment and values in their teachings,
students will imbibe them. Create a positive difference to the students. This will only happen if we
teachers are touching the lives of the learners through our everyday lesson.