Foundation Principles of Morality & You - Teaching as a Profession PDF

THE FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF MORALITY & YOU The student must have: 1. understood the foundational principles of morality; 2. summarized the foundational principles of morality; 3. internalized the foundational principles of morality as future educator. A. INTRODUCTION: Someone once wrote o...

THE FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF MORALITY & YOU The student must have: 1. understood the foundational principles of morality; 2. summarized the foundational principles of morality; 3. internalized the foundational principles of morality as future educator. A. INTRODUCTION: Someone once wrote of teachers: “Even in your worst day on the job, you are still some children’s best hope.” Indeed society expects much from you, the teacher. Henry Brooks Adams said it succinctly: “A teacher affects eternity, he can never tell where his influence stops.” WHAT IS MORALITY? As defined by one textbook author, morality refers to “the quality of human acts by which we call them right or wrong, good or evil,” (Panizo, 1964) Your human action is right when it conforms with the norm, rule or law of morality. Otherwise, it is said to be wrong.  For instance, when Juan gets the pencil of Pedro without the latter’s permission, Juan’s action is wrong because it is adherent to the norm, “stealing is wrong. A man’s action, habit or character is good when it is not lacking of what is natural to man, i.e. when it is in accordance with man’s nature. For instance, it is not natural for man to behave like a beast because he is not a beast. He is a man and, unlike the beast he has intellect and free will. That intellect makes him capable of thinking, judging and reasoning. His free will gives him the ability to choose. Unlike the beasts, he is not bound by instincts. It is a natural occurrence for beasts when a male dog meets a female dog on the street and mate right there and then, as they are not free but bound by their instinct, like sexual instinct. But it is contrary to a man’s nature when a man and a woman do as the dogs do. To do so is to go down to the level of the best. MEANING OF FOUNDATIONAL MORAL PRINCIPLE What is meant by foundational moral principle? The word principle comes from the Latin word princeps which means a beginning, a source. A principle is that on which something is based, founded, originated, initiate. It is likened to the foundation of a building upon which all other parts stand. If we speak of light, the principle is the sun because the sun is the body from which the light of this world originate. A foundational moral principle is, therefore, the universal norm upon which all other principles on the rightness or wrongness of an action are based. It is the source of morality. Where is this foundational moral principle? It is contained in the natural law. Many moralists, authors and philosophers may have referred to this foundational moral principle in different terms. But it may be acceptable to all believers and non-believers alike to refer to it as natural law. What is the natural law? It is the law “written in the hearts of men.” (Romans 2:15) For theists, it is “man’s share in the Eternal Law of God…” (Panizo, 1964) St. Thomas defines it as “the light of natural reason, whereby we discern what is good and what is evil… an imprint on us of the divine light…” (Panizo, 1964). It is the law that says: “Do good and avoid evil.” THIS IS THE FUNDAMENTAL OR FOUNDATIONAL MORAL PRINCIPLE All men and women, regardless of race and belief, have a sense of this foundational moral principle. “It is ingrained in man’s nature. It is built into the design of human nature and woven into the fabric of the normal human mind”. We are inclined to do what we recognize as good and avoid that which we recognize as evil. Panizo says: “Writings, customs and movements of past and present generations point out to this conclusion: that all people on earth, no matter how savage and illiterate, have recognized a supreme law of divine origin commanding good and forbidding evil” (Panizo, 1964). The same thing was said by the philosopher, Mencius long ago: The natural law that says “do good and avoid evil” comes in different versions. Kung-fu-tsu said the same when he taught: “Do not do to others what you do not like others to do to you.” This is also the Golden Rule of Christianity only that it is written in the positive form: “Do to others what you like others do to you.” Immauel Kant’s version is “Act in such a way that your maxim can be the maxim for all.” For Christians, this Golden Rule is made more explicit through the Ten Commandments and the Eight Beatitudes. This are summed up in the two great commandments: “love God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your strength” and “love your neighbor as you love yourself”. The Buddhists state this through the 8- Fold Path. For the Buddhists, the do when the (1) strive to know the truth; (2) resolve to resist evil; (3) say nothing to hurt others; (4) respect life, morality and property; (5) (5)engage in a job that does not injure others; (6) strive to free their mind of evil; (7) control their feelings and thoughts; (8) practice proper forms of concentration. Buddha taught that “hatred does not cease by hatred; hatred ceases only by love.” The Islamic Koran “forbids lying, stealing, adultery and murder.” It is also teaches “honor for parents, kindness to slaves, protection for the orphaned and the widowed and charity to the poor. It teaches the virtues of faith in God, patience, kindness, honesty, industry, honor, courage and generosity. It condemns mistrust, impatience and cruelty. Furthermore, the Muslims abide by the 5-Pillars of Islam: (1) prayer, (2) self-purification by fasting, (3) fasting, (4) almsgiving and (5) pilgrimage to Mecca for those who can afford.  TEACHER AS APERSON OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER As laid down in the preamble of our CODE OF ETHICS of PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS, “teachers are duly licensed professionals who possess dignity and reputation with high moral values as well as technical and professional competence. In the practice of their profession, they strictly adhere to, observe and practice this set of ethical and moral principles, standards and values.” For the above preamble, the words moral values are mentioned twice, to accentuate on the good moral character expected of you, the teacher. When are you of good moral character? OneChristian author describes four ways of describing good moral character: (1) being fully human – you have realized substantially your potential as a human person, (2) being a loving person – you are caring in an unselfish and mature manner with yourself, other people and God, (3) being a virtuous person – you have acquired good habits and attitudes and you practice them consistently in your daily life, and (4) being a morally mature person – you have reached a level of development emotionally, socially, mentally, spiritually appropriate to your development stage. In short, you are on the right track when you strive to develop your potential, your love and care for yourself and make this love flow to others; you lead a virtuous life, and as you advance in age you also advance in your emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual life. “Do good; avoid evil” is the foundational moral principle. Give at least five (5) good things that you have to do as a teacher and five (5) evil things you have to avoid doing LESSON 4 – TEACHING AS YOUR VOCATION, MISSION, AND PROFESSION Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students are expected to: 1.Define a vocation, a mission, and a profession 2. Explain what is meant by teaching as a vocation, mission, and profession Teaching as your vocation Vocation comes from the Latin word “vocare” which means to call. Based on the etymology of the word, vocation, therefore, means a call. If there is a call, there must be a caller and someone who is called. There must also be a response. Teaching is a vocation. For theists, it is a calling from God worthy of our response. For atheists, it is a calling without a vertical dimension. Perhaps you never dreamt to become a teacher! But here you are now preparing to become one. How did it happen? The fact that you are now in the College of Education signifies that you positively Teacher Mark is treated as a teacher for teaching his students the lessons every day. He teaches everything he knows, showing off his mastery of the subject, but not even considering the feelings of his students towards difficult topics. On the other hand, a volunteer named Joy is addressed as a teacher for teaching and serving the children of a far rural community. She travels almost 20 kilometers every day for the sake of her students learning and development. What is the difference between the teaching practices of Teacher Mark and Joy? The main difference lies in their dedication to the service. When someone practices teaching as a vocation, they teach with dedication. A teacher who practices teaching as his vocation responds to the strong feeling, or calling, for service, just like the historic biblical figures, with utmost dedication. In summary, Vocation is only for some who are really dedicated not just to work but also to serve other people. Teaching as your mission Teaching is also a mission. The word mission comes from the Latin word “misio” which means “to send”. You are called to be a teacher and sent into the world to accomplish a mission, to teach. The Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines a mission as “task assigned’. You are sent to accomplish an assigned  Teaching is your mission means it is the task entrusted to you in this world. If it is your assigned task then naturally you’ve got to prepare yourself for it. From now on you cannot take your studies for granted! Your four years or pre-service preparation will equip you with the knowledge, skills and attitude to become an effective teacher. However, never commit the mistake of culminating your mission preparation at the end of the four-year preservice education. You have embarked in a mission that calls for a continuing professional education. As the saying goes “once a teacher, forever a student.” Flowing from your uniqueness, you are expected to contribute to the betterment of this world in your own unique way. Your unique and most significant contribution to the humanization of life on earth is in the field where you are 24 prepared for – teaching. 10/07/2024 What exactly is the mission to teach? Is it merely to teach the child the fundamental skills or the basic r’s of reading, ‘riting (writing), ‘rithmetic (arithmetic) and right conduct? Is it to help the child master the basic skills so he can continue acquiring higher-level skills in order to become a productive member of society? Is it to deposit facts and other information into the “empty minds” of students to be withdrawn during quizzes and tests? Is it to “midwife” the birth of ideas latent in the minds of students? Is it to facilitate the maximum development of his potential not only for himself but also for others? In the words 25of Alfred North Whitehead, is it to help the child become 10/07/2024 To teach is to do all these and more. To teach is to influence every child entrusted in your care to become better and happier because life becomes more meaningful. To teach is to help the child become more human. 10/07/2024 26 A letter given by a private school principal to her teachers on the first day of a new school year may make crystal clear for you your humanizing mission in teaching: Dear Teacher: I am a survivor of a concentration camp. My eyes saw what no man should witness: -Gas chambers built by learned engineers. -Children poisoned by educated physicians. -Infants killed by trained nurses. -Women and babies shot and burned by high school and college graduates. So, I am suspicious of education. My request is: Help your students become human. Your efforts must never produce learned monsters, skilled psychopaths, educated Eichmanns. 10/07/2024 27  Reading, writing, and arithmetic are important only if they serve to make our children more human. “Mission accomplished!” This is what a soldier tells his superior after he has accomplished his assigned mission. Can we say the same when we meet our “Superior” face to face? 10/07/2024 28 Some teachers regard teaching as just a job? Others see it as their mission. What’s the difference? Read the following poem adapted from Ministry or Job by Anna Sandberg. Teaching: Mission and/or Job? If you are doing it only because, you are paid for it, it’s a job; If you are doing it not only for the pay but also for service, it’s a mission. If you quit because your boss or colleague criticized you, it’s a job; If you keep on teaching out of love, it’s a mission. If you teach because it does not interfere with your other activities, it’s a job; If you are committed to teaching even if it means letting go of other activities, it’s a mission. If you quit because no one praises you or thanks you for what you do, it’s a job; If you remain teaching even though nobody recognizes your efforts, it’s a mission. It’s hard to get excited about a teaching job; It’s almost impossible not to get excited about a mission. If our concern is success, it’s a job; If our concern is success plus faithfulness, it’s a mission. An average school if filled by teachers doing their teaching job; Teaching as a profession Teaching like engineering, nursing, accounting and the like is a profession. A teacher like an engineer, a nurse, and an accountant is a professional. What are the distinguishing marks of a professional teacher? “The term professional is one of the most exalted in the English language, denoting as it does, long and arduous years of preparation, a striving for excellence, a dedication to the public interest, and commitment to moral and ethical values.” Why does a profession require “long and arduous years of preparation” and Because the end goal of profession is service and as we have heard many times “we cannot give what we do not have.” We can give more if we have more. For us to be able to be able to give more (service), which is the end goal of a profession, continuing professional education is a must. Our service to the public as a professional, turns out to be dedicated when our moral, ethical and religious values serve as out bedrock foundation. If you take teaching as your profession, this means that you must be willing to go through a long period of preparation and a continuing professional development. Striving for excellence – another element of profession. This element brings us to the issue of “pwede na”. “Pwede na” is inimical to excellence It is expre  ssed in other ways like “talagang ganyan ‘yan”, “wala na tayong magawa”, etc. All of these are indicators of defeatism and mediocrity. If we stick to this complacent mentality, excellence would not be within reach. In the world of work whether here or abroad, only the beast and the brightest make it. DON’T SETTLE FOR LESS! STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE! Teaching and a life of meaning Want to give your life a meaning? Want to live a purpose-driven life? Spend it passionately in teaching, the most noble profession. Consider what Dr. Josette T. Biyo. The first Asian teacher to win the Intel Excellence in teaching in an international competition, said in a speech delivered before a group of teachers, superintendents, DEpEd “Teaching may not be a lucrative position. It cannot guarantee financial security. It even means investing your personal time, energy, and resources. Sometimes it means disappointments, heartaches, and pains. But touching the hearts of people and opening the minds of children can give you joy and contentment which money could not buy. These are the moments I teach for. These are the Activity: Read the following, and in context of value formation, write down your response(maximum of 5 sentences) to each as proof that you accept continuing personal value formation and teaching as a profession, mission or vocation. 1.What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul? 2.“Di baleng mahirap, basta may dangal” 3.Don’t settle for less, strive for excellence.