Teaching Profession: Basic Concepts, Competencies, Teacher Roles, And Philosophical Foundations In Education

Abstract

The teaching profession is a fundamental pillar in the formation of quality human resources through education. This study aims to comprehensively examine the basic concepts of the teaching profession, including the characteristics, competencies, roles of teachers, and the underlying philosophical foundations. The significance of this research lies in the understanding that the teaching profession not only requires mastery of teaching materials but also requires moral integrity, pedagogical skills, and a high level of professional commitment. The method used is a literature study (library research) with a descriptive qualitative approach. Data were obtained from various relevant literature sources, including books, scientific journals, national education regulations, and international academic sources. The research findings indicate that the teaching profession has unique characteristics, namely requiring special expertise, a commitment to a code of ethics, and social responsibility. Professional teachers are expected to be able to act as learning facilitators, character mentors, and agents of change in society. Philosophical foundations including idealism, realism, pragmatism, and existentialism provide ontological, epistemological, and axiological directions for teaching practice. A deep understanding of these concepts is a prerequisite for systematic and sustainable improvement of the quality of national education.