BPT1501
ASSIGNMENT 1
DUE DATE: 18 MARCH 2025
, BPT1501 Assignment 1 2025
1. What is a professional teacher?
(Becoming a teacher UNISA Edition 2018)
According to Noddings (1998), a professional teacher is first and foremost "one caring"
before being an "enactor of specialized functions" (p. 175). This means that teaching is
not just about delivering content but about forming meaningful relationships with
learners, understanding their needs, and addressing barriers to their learning. A
professional teacher practices pedagogic care, which involves both engrossment (giving
full attention to the learner) and displacement of motivation (directing energy toward the
learner’s needs). This caring approach enhances learning by fostering an environment
where learners feel valued, understood, and supported in their personal and academic
growth.
2. Read the given scenarios below and indicate whether in each scenario the
teacher acted in a professional manner or not? Give two reasons for each
scenario to support your stance.
Scenarion1
Mrs Karateka is a grade 7 maths teacher. Whatever the reason was, the teacher
demonstrated several defensive holds during the class. She even demonstrated how to
perform a chokehold using several of her students! Her demonstration was so effective
that one of the students passed out, but fortunately, the student did not sustain any
permanent injuries.
ASSIGNMENT 1
DUE DATE: 18 MARCH 2025
, BPT1501 Assignment 1 2025
1. What is a professional teacher?
(Becoming a teacher UNISA Edition 2018)
According to Noddings (1998), a professional teacher is first and foremost "one caring"
before being an "enactor of specialized functions" (p. 175). This means that teaching is
not just about delivering content but about forming meaningful relationships with
learners, understanding their needs, and addressing barriers to their learning. A
professional teacher practices pedagogic care, which involves both engrossment (giving
full attention to the learner) and displacement of motivation (directing energy toward the
learner’s needs). This caring approach enhances learning by fostering an environment
where learners feel valued, understood, and supported in their personal and academic
growth.
2. Read the given scenarios below and indicate whether in each scenario the
teacher acted in a professional manner or not? Give two reasons for each
scenario to support your stance.
Scenarion1
Mrs Karateka is a grade 7 maths teacher. Whatever the reason was, the teacher
demonstrated several defensive holds during the class. She even demonstrated how to
perform a chokehold using several of her students! Her demonstration was so effective
that one of the students passed out, but fortunately, the student did not sustain any
permanent injuries.
