QUALITIES THAT A TEACHING/NON TEACHING APPLICANT SHOULD POSSESS

Contributed by: Melanie S. Langit – Luakan National High Schoiol, Dinalupihan

May be you have read these lines from Tryon Edwards which says, ” to teach another thoroughly is the best way to learn for yourself.” For a teacher-applicant applying for a teaching job for the first time, facing the school principal for an interview could be a source of extreme anxiety. During such occasions, the teacher- aspirant is compelled to “put his or her best foot forward and show off, if needs be, to please the principal and get hired in the end.

On the part of the principal (or whoever is the counterpart in the evaluating process), he or she will definitely opt, for the candidate who possesses most, if not all the qualities that will help to carry out the objectives of the education system. These qualities include passion, enthusiasm, sensitivity, heart and humor.

According to Magbuhat (2006), Passion in the teacher’s heart is a quality that principals unanimously prefer. An applicant who shows this definitely has an edge over the others. A passionate teacher is not averse to learning and exploring new things that he/she can offer to his/her students.

He or she strives hard to keep abreast of new ideas and teaching techniques that will contribute to greater learning. Said teacher exhibits enthusiasm and offers him-or herself as a model of tireless and eager learner. A passionate teacher does not fear change. Rather, he or she welcomes change as a challenge to meet head-on.

This teacher will surely inspire children and if the students feel that they are secure and well provided with the ideas they need, a positive and exciting atmosphere for learning can be achieved.

On the other hand, students are humans and not machines. A teacher must remember that the youth are the most curious and active members of the society that he or she needs to provide activities that will stimulate them. School heads look for personnel who are perceptive enough to know what interests students and can design teaching approaches along the lines of these interests.

Another quality that a teacher-applicant should possess is a heart to teach. A good teacher is a teacher with a heart. He or she is not confined to being merely intelligent and steeped with technical knowledge. The teacher with average ability but with a heart to teach has more chances of succeeding than the more scholastic colleague with half the heart. The lack of intelligence could easily be made up for by the desire to guide students to higher learning and eventual success.

Another quality that is a must for teachers and also to be possessed by teacher applicants is strong interpersonal skills and a sense of humor. The ability to connect with the students is one of the traits required of a teacher. A teacher should not only encourage learning. More importantly, he or she should inspire students to learn. Magbuhat, advised teacher-applicants to equip themselves with all these qualities to increase his or her chances of being hired.

Reference:

Lea L. Magbuhat. Qualities That Principals Look for in a New Teacher. The Educator. Eferza Academic Publications