The Standard Competencies of Teachers

Seven (7) Standard Competencies Teachers Should Meet

 

Written by Aziza Restu Febrianto

The source is taken from the materials used in the Professional Teacher Training Program (PPG) held by State University of Malang (UM)

For the sake of human resource development, teachers are playing a very important role. In a country, teachers are actually placed in a strategic position for determining the future successful young generation. Their job is not in fact only transferring knowledge, but personal guidance of children is also included. Hence, teaching is not just about explaining and discussing the lesson, but it is also a skill on how to deal with children. Teachers have to know deeply about children in persons, understand their world and ways on how to get close to them and finally guide them according to the various competences and inclinations they have. Therefore, teachers should always completely enhance their skill and competence incessantly. Based on their field on education, all professional teachers should at least have some qualifications as follows:

1. Willing to constantly upgrade the skill and knowledge

To be a good teacher, having wide knowledge is very important. Most students like the teachers who know everything not just about their fields.  Hence, teachers need to read a lot and to follow updated world news and information. Not to mention, they have to be good at communication skill as well to conveying information.

2. Keeping on higher Order Thinking

Professional teachers must be critical and having high order thinking. They always have to be able to think critically, creatively, logically, and reflectively. They are also proficient at problem solving and making decisions.

3. Having nurturing proficiency

Since teaching is not just dealing with transferring knowledge (Pedagogical Proficiency) but also giving personal guidance to the students, teachers therefore have to improve their Nurturing Proficiency as well. 

4. Good at ICT (Information and Communication Technology) utilization

Utilizing ICT in teaching and learning is obviously crucial. It absolutely requires teachers to have a skill on it.

5. Knowing deeply about CTL (Contextual Teaching and Learning)

CTL includes learning by the facts. CTL means integrated teaching and learning according to what happens to our surroundings.  

6. Using creative and innovative teaching strategies and models

It is indeed a must for teachers to try their best use creative and innovative strategies and models in teaching. 

7. Learning by doing

As explained in the previous post, teachers must have wide knowledge. They gain knowledge by learning many things. They also learn by doing. Learning by doing will build the teachers’ characters and personalities.