Jay Timbas August 31, 2021

A.B. Philosophy Observation and Participation

The Quality Teacher is Never an Accident

Pandemic caused a lot of changes in the academic world. Some find it hard to adjust to the

new system of education which is the ODL or Online Distance Learning, while some others don’t

want to pursue their academic goals. Many people don’t know how to survive in the middle of the

crisis that we are facing today. DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones stated, “We have COVID, we have

a crisis, but life goes on, so you continue building your schools, you continue enrolling the children,

continue teaching them even we are facing this very difficult challenge” (2021). Education should not

stop but continue. Do not let pandemic be the hindrance for the learning of the Filipino students.

Teachers should not think that because of pandemic, they become less effective, because the quality

of their teaching is not only perceived through face-to-face classes but beyond it. The quality teacher

is never an accident; it is something that can be developed through the teacher’s love for his profession

and the processes that he will go through.

A quality teacher is never an accident; he is an effective, fair, and self-motivated person that

he can be through his love for his profession. A teacher is effective when he performed his duty as a

teacher, and, the learners learn from him. The effectiveness of the teacher is not only inside but also

outside the classroom. Some of the teachers tend to not care about their student once their class

schedule is done. Being an effective teacher is like a gold; he is rare and of high value. A quality teacher

is fair, no favoritism towards the students because it is the reason why some students prefer not to

attend the class anymore. During my elementary days, I was able to observe favoritism from my former

teacher. Because of comparison and unequal attention that she gave her students, many of us were
not motivated to attend her class. Some students cut classes, while some did not listen during her

discussions. It is important for the teachers to know how to be fair in treating their students. There

should be no room for favoritism. It is the reason why there is a negative student-teacher relationship.

Lastly, a quality teacher should be self-motivated. His motivation comes from himself instead of

materialistic or extrinsic motivation. If his motivation comes from outside, there will always be an

expectation and he will easily loss interest in teaching. But if his motivation comes from within, he

will always be eager and excited to perform his duties and responsibilities without expecting for

anything in return. To develop these characteristics, the teacher must love his profession. His love will

allow him to continue despite many challenges he faced.

I intend to be a quality teacher because I want my future students to realize the value of

education. Education does not mean you are in school to study academic endeavor, but education

means holistic learning. Students learn not only subject matter but also way of life. As a student I

realize that education is valuable. There came in my life that I wanted to stop pursue my education

because of my age, but education is not only for the young. Education is for all of us no matter what

age you are in or what your status is in life. This is the reason why I intend to finish my studies and

become a quality teacher. It is easy to say “teacher” but it is hard to find the quality teacher. All teachers

can teach but not all teachers can deliver quality teaching. This is one of my reasons why I want to be

a quality teacher. To become one, I will try to develop the qualities of an effective teacher while I am

still studying.

The course Observation and Participation will be my means to achieve my professional goal — to

be a quality teacher. This course is just a beginning of my journey towards my profession-. I will learn

how the teacher prepares for the lessons, motivates the students, executes the lesson plans, manages

the classrooms, and the like. It is important for my learning as a future educator about the routines
and activities that the teachers go through. As I observed from my former teachers, before they teach,

they are physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared. It is important to every educator

how to manage their lessons until the end of their discussions. By this course, Observation and

Participation will be a big help for me to prepare and be a good and quality teacher someday. It is very

important to get involve and serious about this course.

As a student teacher, I will be responsible in the process of learning of the students. I am

responsible for their safety and well-being as well as their learning. The parents entrusted their young

in the hands of their teachers, not only for the education but also for their safety. I must check the

surroundings of the students regularly to make sure that the place is safe whether it is face-to-face or

online class. Aside from the place, I must also monitor the students themselves for sometimes they

are the ones who bring themselves into danger. It is important to check the status of every student

whether they are well or not, mentally. As a student teacher I am also expected to engage students in

learning content through activities, assignments, and other related tasks. Through preparing ahead of

time, I, as student teacher will give the activities that are well-planned. The materials such as visual

aids, props, and other learning material that I will use in my lessons should be creative. As we all know,

students are fond of aesthetics that are attractive to the eyes. Therefore, I must use this kind of

attraction to keep their attentions on the lessons.

Aside from the students, I am responsible with my cooperating teacher, the institution, and

my profession as well. The student teachers are expected to be responsive to the suggestions of their

cooperating teachers and follow the instructions at all times. It is important to follow the instruction

set by my cooperating teacher because it will help me to grow. It may be a simple instruction but what

my cooperating teacher will advise me is going to be valuable. Their advises come from their

experiences. The institution where I will be immersed in has a set of rules and regulations that need
to be followed. It is very important to every institution to set rules or policies that will be followed

not only by the students but also by the teachers. I, as a student teacher must follow these rules or

policies because this will observe my obedience. Following instructions, policies, or rules start with

the teacher. If the teacher expects the students to follow, then it should also be expected from him.

Whether it is a small or big matter, following these can create a big impact to the institution. If they

can trust you in the small things, how much more in the bigger things? That is why following rules is

significant. It is like the famous quote that says, “A good leader is a good follower” — teachers are

the role models who must also be followers like the students. While I am still in the process of

transitioning from a student into a professional teacher, I also have a responsibility to set expectations

from my profession and myself. I must be willing to accept every challenge that I will encounter so

that I would be prepared when I become a professional. At the same time, I must practice

professionalism at all times. I must be careful with my thoughts, my words, and my actions.

The biggest reward that I want to receive as a teacher is that I will see my student succeed in

their dreams. Like a parent who want their child to attain their ambition in life, I, as a future

professional teacher also want the students to reach their dream. It would feel amazing to see my

students who became successful not only because they are professional but because of their

achievements. It is very important for the students to realize the value of education while they are in

the process of learning. Proverbs 22:6 states, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he

is old he will not depart from it.” Therefore, as a teacher, I will instill in the mind of the students the

value of education so that wherever they go, they will not forget it. Through this, the students will

achieve their dreams. To witness them becoming successful, I can say that my efficacy and quality as

a teacher were proven. As a teacher it would be an honor to know that my students treasured what I

taught them by applying the wisdom and the knowledge that they gained from it. They may not

remember me but my words remain in them. I want to become an inspiration to my future students
and be able to touch their lives even after they graduate. The change or improvement of their

perspective on the different matters in life will be reflected on who they will be in the future.

The quality teacher is never an accident because it takes different factors that will make a

teacher a quality and effective one. There are different processes, preparations, and experiences that

to develop as a quality teacher. Aspiring teachers will go through processes which gives them an

opportunity to develop the characteristics of a quality teacher. One of these would be the courses that

we take as college students such as Principles of Teaching, Assessment of Learning, and Observation and

Participation. We can gain knowledge from these courses which we can apply when we become teachers.

These will allow us to prepare ourselves before we enter the real world of teaching. But other than the

mental preparation, I must also be emotionally and spiritually prepared. It takes a student’s

commitment and passion for him to become a quality teacher. These two things will help me to accept

possible challenges and keep me pursuing my dream. Most importantly, my love for this profession

will keep me eager to serve as a teacher. Without this, I cannot continue when problems take place

that can affect my performance. This course, Observation and Participation, is the stepping stone for

aspiring teachers like me to become a professional. Being able to observe and experience the

preparations, activities, and other things that teachers go through might only be a glimpse into the

world of teaching, but it will be a big help for me to develop personally and professionally. To achieve

my dream for my future students, to value education because of the quality teacher that I have become,

is my biggest motivation.