The document explores the concepts of vocation, mission, and profession in teaching, emphasizing that teaching is a divine call to serve others, inspired by biblical figures who responded positively to God's call. It distinguishes between viewing teaching as merely a job versus a meaningful mission, urging teachers to commit to lifelong learning and ethical values to contribute positively to society. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of excellence in education and the profound emotional rewards of teaching beyond financial gain.

1. Vocation, mission and
Profession.
Teaching as your
B Y : D a n i e l G . T a m b a n i l l o
A r j o l y n A p a s
“ One looks back with appreciation the brilliant
teachers, but with gratitude to those who touch our
human feelings…”-Carl Jung

2. ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD “VOCATION”
Vocation comes from the latin word
“Vocare” which means to call. For
Christians, the caller is God Himself, while
for Muslims, Allah. Believers in the supreme
being view the call as having a vertical
dimension, while non-believers view it as
having a horizontal dimension. It is like man
calling another man, never a superior being.

3. The Bible is full of stories of men and women who
were called by God to do something not for
themselves, but for others. Abraham was called
to become the father of a great nation. Moses to
lead God’s chosen people out of Egypt, Mary to
become the mother of Jesus Christ, Muhammad
to spread the teachings of Allah, and Buddha to
abondon his royal life to seek the answer to the
problem of suffering. All of them responded
positively to God’s call.

4. TEACHING AS YOUR
VOCATION
 The most important details in this text
are that God called you to teach, just as
Abraham, Moses, and Mary did. These
biblical figures did not understand the
events surrounding their call, but in their
great faith, they answered Yes. The fact
that you are now in the college of
Teacher Education signifies that you
positively responded to the call to
teach. May this YES response remain a
YES and become even firmer through
the years.

5. ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD
"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 you are sent into the world to accomplish a
mission, to teach. The Webster's New
Collegiate Dictionary defines mission as "task
assigned. You are sent to accomplish an
assigned task.

6. TEACHING AS YOUR MISSION
Teaching is a mission, so it is impor ant to prepare yourself for
it. Four years of pre-service preparation will equip you with the
knowledge, skills and at ttude to become an effective teacher.
However, never commit the mistake of culminating your
mission preparation at the end of the four-years pre-service
education. As the saying goes, "once a teacher forever a
student."
You are expected to contribute to the betterment of the world
in your own unique way, and your most significant contribution
is in the field where you are prepared for teaching.

7. The mission of teaching is to help the
child master basic skills so they can
become productive members of society.
It is to provide opportunities for the
child's growth and remove hampering
influences. It is also to facilitate the
maximum development of his/her
potential not only for himself/herself but
also for others. Finally, it is to influence
every child entrusted in your care to
become better and happier because life
becomes more meaningful.

8. 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 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 physician
-Infants killed by trained nurses.
-Women and babies shot and burned by high
school and college graduates.

9. So I am suspicious of education.
My request is: Help your students become
human. Your effort must never produce
learned monsters, skilled psychopaths, and
Eichmann's.
Reading, writing, arithmetic are important only
if they serve to make our children more
human.

10. 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?
Some teachers regard teaching as
just a job. Others see it as their
mission. What's the difference?
Read Teaching: Mission and/or Job?

11. 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 job;
If you are committed to teaching even if it means letting go of
other activities, it's a mission.

12. If you quit because no one praises or thanks you for what you do,
it's a job:
If you remain teaching even through 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 is filled by teachers doing their teaching job;
A great school is filled with teachers involved in a mission of
teaching.

13. THE ELEMENTS OF A PROFESSION
Teaching is a profession, and the
distinguishing marks of a professional
teacher are long and arduous
preparation, striving for excellence,
dedication to the public interest, and
commitment to moral and ethical values.
Former Chairperson of the Professional
Regulation Commission, Hon.
Hermogenes P. Pobre, noted that the
term professional is one of the most
exalted in the English language.

14. TEACHING AS YOUR PROFESSION
The end goal of a profession is service and we
cannot give what we do not have. To be able to
give more, continuing professional education is a
must. This is explicit in our professionalization
law and Code of Professional Ethics. Pope Paul
VI affirmed this thought when he said "Do more,
have more in order to be more." We must strive
for excellence, commit to moral, ethical and
religious values, and dedicate ourselves to public
service in order to be dedicated and committed
to our service to the public. This requires a long
period of preparation and continuing
professional development.

15. THE "PWEDE NA MENTALLY VS.
EXCELLENCE
The "pwede na" mentality, which is
inimical to excellence, is expressed
in other ways like "talagang ganyan
"yan", "wala na tayong magawa".
This complacent mentality leads to
excellence eluding us, as only the
best and the brightest make it. The
morality rate in the Licensure
Examination for Teachers for the
past ten years is a glaring evidence.

16. TEACHING AND A LIFE OF MEANING
Want to give your life a meaning? Spend it
passionately in teaching, the most noble
profession. Dr. Joset e T. Biyo, the first Asian
teacher to win the Intel Excellence Award in an
International competition, said in a speech
delivered before a selected group of teachers,
superintendents, DepEd officials and
consultants, to wit:

17. Teaching may not be a lucrative position. It cannot
guarantee financial security. It even means
investing your personal time, energy, and
resources. Sometimes it mean's 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 moments I live for.