Quiambao, Armand Gil.

R
2A-MT
TEACHING EXCELLENCE AS A VEHICLE FOR CAREER PROGRESSION

INTRODUCTION
“Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions”
– Anonymous
First of all, one must have an effective and excellent teacher in order to learn. To ensure
that all the teachers have the knowledge and skills needed to be effective, teaching
excellence is a process that helps both the students and the teachers learn and interact
with each other effectively. It is an academic process that by which students are
motivated to learn in ways that make a sustained, substantial, and positive influence on
how they think, act, and feel. It also elevates students to a level where they learn deeply
and remarkably because of their excellent teachers. Also, an excellent teacher is viewed
as one who contributes positively to the learning environment by providing exceptional
energy, keen interest in students, and extraordinary strengths. Lastly, within teaching
excellence, both the students and teachers’ careers are further elevated wherein
students will have more effective teachers so as teachers will be more effective and
efficient in their jobs.

OBJECTIVES
1. To have knowledge about and understand what Teaching Excellence is.
2. To provide knowledge on students about the attributes of an excellent teacher.
3. To help the students and teachers apply in the future what they have learned.

DISCUSSION
According to YES PREP, Teaching Excellence is a five-part model which includes:
1. INDUCTION
 Induction is the foundation of all teacher learning and development in the
first year. With the goal of having the students prepared on their first day,
teachers and coaches work together throughout the summer to prepare
for setting up a strong classroom culture, establishing routines & procedures,
instructional planning, and operating as a teacher leader.
2. INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING
 This is the cornerstone of the Teaching Excellence program. Here, each new
new teacher is paired with an instructional coach to work with throughout
the first year. ICs will direct teachers through a curriculum that includes
 core instructional skills, tactics for day-to-day problem-solving, and tailored
personal development.
3. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SATURDAYS
 To accelerate further teacher progression, each month, all of the teachers
will gather for a Professional Learning Saturday focused on instructional and
classroom culture needs.
4. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING MODULES
 Online professional learning modules are provided to further widen the tools
of the teachers. They are also provided with research-based instructional
practices that can be leveraged immediately.
5. CERTIFICATION
 The teaching excellence program provides a certification program
wherein teacher progression could be seen within a professional
development schedule. TE will also help ensure all certification candidates
complete all necessary requirements within one year.

Upon learning teaching excellence, according to Penn State, there are five
roles/attributes that an excellent teacher must have/play namely:
1. Subject matter expert.
 He/she goes further than the standard text book materials; in a way,
he/she possesses thorough knowledge of the subject matter and
demonstrates an enthusiasm that will motivate his/her students
more.
2. Pedagogical expert.
 He/she sets appropriate learning goals and objectives. He/she also
communicates clearly and demonstrates a positive attitude towards
his/her students. Lastly, he/she encourages and empowers students
to use their own creativity and also evaluates them fairly.
3. Excellent communicator.
 He/she demonstrates effective oral and written communication.
He/she has good organizational abilities and planning skills. Lastly,
He/she helps students learn to use effective communication skills for
their future use.
4. Student-centered mentor.
 This means that an excellent teacher makes student learning his/her
highest priority. He/she helps students connect learning experiences
and facilitates development of self-knowledge. Lastly, he/she instills
a desire in students for life-long learning.
5. Systematic and continual assesser.
 He/she develops and uses appropriate student outcome
assessments to continuously improve student learning experiences.
 He/ she also employs a systematic approach to assess teaching,
keeps the class material fresh and new, makes appropriate changes
where indicated, and sets clear objectives that indicate the kind of
thinking and acting expected of students. Lastly, he/she creates an
environment that invites constructive student feedback to the
instructor.

CONCLUSION
To conclude, Teaching Excellence is a program which helps both the student and
the teacher progress. For the students, having effective teachers could help them have
a better understanding of their curriculum and help them find their future careers. In
addition to this, the Teaching Excellence program also makes their teachers be closer to
the students; this helps them grow in a way their teachers are their mentors. This will guide
them in decision-making practices in order to prepare them for their careers. For the
teachers, this will make them become more effective and of course will help them in their
jobs. This could also lead to them being discovered by universities for they will possess
excellent characteristics after finishing the program. Lastly, teaching excellence will
further help the students and their teachers reach and be effective at their future careers.

REFERENCES

http://www.psu.edu/. (2018). Definition of Teaching Excellence,. [online]

Available at http://www.schreyerinsititute.psu.edu/definition/ [Accessed 29 April, 2018].

Yesprep.org. (2018). Teaching Excellence | YES Prep Public Schools. [online]

Available at: https://www.yesprep.org/teaching-excellence [Accessed 29 April, 2018].