The 3Ps of a good teacher

A very Good Morning to all the future teachers. The topic of my speech today is “The 3Ps of
a good teacher”. Good teachers are the backbone of successful education. Is there anyone
who disagrees with this statement? Preparing teachers for the teaching profession is
conceived as being a higher priority in Malaysia. In Malaysia, upon the 5-year completion of
PISMP course, the teacher trainees is said to be ready to teach in any government primary
schools in Malaysia. However, the negative news about irresponsible teacher alleged in
student abuse and causes committing suicide has raised the concern of society towards the
effectiveness of the teacher training courses in Malaysia. So, should the government make
the entry requirements boundary for teacher-trainees to be higher? What qualities should a
teacher trainee have to ensure only teachers of quality enter the education service? In my
speech today, I would outline the 3Ps that are required to be a good teacher, which are the
right qualification (Pedagogy), sound attitude (Person) and passion to be a teacher (Passion).
First and foremost, teacher trainees need to have the right qualification(Pedagogy).
We all know that one of the minimum requirements for the PISMP trainees is to obtain
excellent grades in any five subjects in SPM. Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, the chairman
of Parents Action Group For Education Malaysia (PAGE) claims that priority needs to be
given to those who get 7As and more. (Lim Su Yee, 2014). So, why is high IQ important in
the teaching field? Undoubtedly, a teacher should master the 3Rs and the basic concepts of
the knowledge that he or she is going to deliver to the students. Teachers need to be
intelligence because they are responsible in identifying and correcting the misconception of
students in certain subjects. Moreover, learning is a changing process since knowledge is
not something static. Teachers need to have the ability to apply the pedagogical theories
such as classroom management and various multiple intelligences in the classroom. For
example, trainees who take the TESL course not only have to good in linguistic knowledge,
but also have to master the strategies and techniques in teaching English.
The second P is the passion to become a teacher. Unlike SPM result, the interviewer
couldn’t “see” our passion. From my own experience as a trainee in IPG, I found out that
most of the trainees take the course because of the allowance or that they are forced by
their parents. However, we can’t easily fake passion as teaching is a lifelong job. We have to
some how build up our passion and take on the responsibilities as future teacher. Teacher
with passion inspire students. They get students interested and even excited about what
they are learning by showing the thrill and pleasure of acquiring skills and knowledge in a
particular area. The passionate teacher will bring a topic alive and constantly referring to
how knowledge of the subject enables better understanding of the world we live in.
The third P is Person, which is about the attitude and behaviour of the teacher. After
the family, school is the first basic socialization institution for the child. The effect of the
attitude of teachers in the personality development and success of students is a fact that

1
 The 3Ps of a good teacher

cannot be overlooked. Teachers are the role models for students by way of their own
behaviour and attitude. The results of Yavuzer’s study shows that teachers’ nonverbal
actions such as smiling, having a relaxed stance, various gestures and facial expressions
come first in improving the learning experience for students whereas the topic of the class
itself comes in second. (Yavuzer, 2000). A positive attitude from the teacher affects the
student’s motivation, attitude towards school and school work, the student’s self confidence
and as a result personality development.

To recapitulate, teacher is very important for students' development because the

entire education process is dependent on the person called teacher. The quality of education
system cannot be improved without improving the quality of teachers. Teachers are such an
important part of the education system that the successful formulation and implementation of
the policies of education sector is not possible without teachers. So, as future teachers, we
should always do our best in educating the next generation and always have the 3Ps with us.

2
 The 3Ps of a good teacher

References

Lim Su Yee. (2014). Parents, educationists say quality teachers key to education boost.
Retrieved by 11 July 2018 from https://www.malaymail.com/s/636321/parents-
educationists-say-quality-teachers-key-to-education-boost

Yavuzer, H. (2000). Okul cagi cocugu (School age child). Istanbul: Remzi