Teaching as a Vocation,

Mission, and Profession

Prepared by:

Kris Dennenese

There was this young girl named Ellen in

seventh grade who had a classmate with learning

problems. Her classmate was often ridiculed

because of his disabilities. Then she found herself

convinced to reach out to him. Although, Ellen was

pretty shy but she started sticking to him. She really

helped him in his studies. This experience set Ellen

on course to become a special education teacher, a

job that she has built around her vocation, which is

helping the disadvantaged.

Vocation

Latin word “vocare”- to call

A calling is a sacred gift. It’s a way to reach out.

It’s very subtle (Chard, 2002).

“True vocation is using your gifts for the benefit of

others in a way that makes you happy. You don't

necessarily need a paying occupation to do that.”

Teaching as a Vocation

Effective education involves a personal

transaction (Rhodes, F. H. T, 1993).

Mission

Latin word “misio”- to send

“task assigned”

"a body of persons sent to perform a

service"

Teaching as a Mission

a task entrusted to you

teaching out of love

We need a sense of mission in education; a relentless focus on teaching quality so that all our schools inspire the confidence of young people and parents(Twigg, S. 2011).

Profession

Latin professio(n-), from profiteri ‘declare

publicly’

a type of job that requires special education,

training, or skill

a calling requiring specialized knowledge and

often long and intensive academic preparation

-Merriam Webster

Teaching as a Profession

committed

rendering service to community

Characteristics of the Profession(Barker,

P.2004):

Members possess skills and competence

Altruistic, serve public, their clients above self-interest

receive an extensive period of education

competence is tested by means of appropriate

examination and other forms of assessment

receive action-based training in the professional skills

licensed to practice

have autonomy over their work

existence and enforcement of a code of ethics and

professional conduct

Self-regulation

Self-discipline

High societal status, respect and rewards

Profession as a Career

Career choice is considered as one of the major

areas of concern for young people nearing the

end of their schooling(Alberts, Mbalo, Ackerman,

2003).

Factors with the Career

Choice:

structural

social

psychological

Balyer’s Research (2014):

1.1 Altruistic- Intrinsic Reasons

-- teaching is worthwhile; there’s an enjoyment,

passion, interest, importance

“Students teachers choose their career with personal

factors rather than economic and social

factors(Ozbek,2007).”

“They have an interest and love in teaching, see the

profession as an appropriate, respectable, and blessed

work(Tataroglu, Ozgen, Alkan, 1998).

“Some others have some ideological approaches like

influencing young generations (Kelly, 2012; Lawver &

Torres, 2011).”

Hac?omeroglu and Task?n (2010) found that while

some candidates choose the career as they think that

the profession is respectable and they like teaching

children, others think that the profession will make them

happy.

1.2 Extrinsic

-- economic, social status, conditions of service

“It is revealed in some studies that student teachers are

motivated to join profession with mostly extrinsic

reasons (Chan, 1998).”

“It is considered that students are interested in teaching

as a career, and generally regard teaching as a

preferred and respected occupation (Lai, Ko, & Li,

2000).”

1.3 Influence of Others

--peers, teachers, relatives and parents' effect

“Student motives are also influenced by their own

images and experiences of school life and the work of

teachers (Hutchison & Johnson, 1994; Butcher & Lewis,

2002; Reid & Caudwell, 1997; Chan, 1998; Heafford &

Jennison, 1998).”

References:

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Journal Sentinel

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(2014, Oct 16). University Wire

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Washington Post (Pre-1997 Fulltext)

4. Huntley church to hold missions awareness expo. (2014, Jun 27).

Daily Herald

5. Twigg, S.(2011, Oct.19) Copyright, Guardian Newspapers Limited

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“One looks back with appreciation to the

brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to

those who touched our human feelings.” –

Carl Jung

Thank you for listening! God bless