NEW- TEACHER APPLICAN, WHAT TRAITS SHOULD YOU POSSESS?

“Have patience : all things are difficult before they become easy.” This quotation from Saadi is relevant for the new teachers applying for a teaching job for the first time.             Applying for a teaching job is not as easy today as it used to be.  Even this humble profession is steeped in competition that…


“Have patience : all things are difficult before they become easy.” This quotation from Saadi is relevant for the new teachers applying for a teaching job for the first time.

            Applying for a teaching job is not as easy today as it used to be.  Even this humble profession is steeped in competition that an aspiring teacher is well-advised in equip him-or herself with all the secrets of the trade to increase his or her chances of being hired.

            According to Magbuhat (2004) a teacher-applicant must exude a passion in his/her heart.  A teacher-applicant must remember that the youth are the most curious and active members of 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 designs teaching approaches along the lines of these interests.  Music, theater, and sports are just some of the areas of human endeavor that appeal to the youth.

            Many books in management practices and skills say that any job that you want to apply for is twenty percent knowledge and eighty percent interpersonal skills.  The ability to connect with the students is one of the traits required of a teacher. A teacher must encourage learning more importantly, he or she should inspire it.  A good teacher does not speak only to his/her mind but rather, he or she communicates. Straight to the students heart and mind.  A sense of humor, on the other hand, reveals the teacher’s confidence and his/her ability to deal with the students and the profession of teaching.  Good mentors do not feel awkward and feels free to infuse humor into the lessons if only to hasten the learning pocess. 

            It is true that for a teacher applying for a teaching job for the first time, facing the panel of interviewers could be a source of extreme anxiety.  During this occasions, the aspiring teacher is compelled to “put his best foot forward” and show off, if needs be, to please the principal and get hired at the end.

            On the part of the principal or panelists, the teacher who possesses most if not all, the qualities that will help to carry out the objectives of the education system.

            Once the beginning teacher will be hired, he/she must see to it that all these qualities will be carried out up to the end of the teaching service.

Reference:

L.Magbuhat, Qualities that Principals Look for in a New Teacher.The Educator.Eferza Publications. (2004).

By: Nona M. Tañada