A personal development framework on core values for catholic school teachers

Abstract

This study identified the basic education Catholic School teachers’ personal lived and desired core values as well as the challenges faced in living out those core values and how they faced those challenges. It probed how teachers envision their school community if core values are lived out and recognized the school programs, activities, and support needed to enhance their core values. Phenomenological research was conducted that applied Appreciative Inquiry and validated online interviews were utilized for data gathering which was participated by twenty-five (25) teachers and five (5) principals from five Catholic schools in Metro Manila. The results showed that the most lived core values are being Maka-Diyos (Love of God), Makatao (Love of Others), Makakalikasan (Love of Creation), Makabansa (Love of Country), and Mahusay (Excellence). In living out these core values, they experienced challenges, particularly in managing their human nature, conflicting values with others, as well as time, energy, and resource management. If core values are fully lived out, the teachers envision their school to be a happy community with a healthy work culture in attaining its vision, mission, and goals for the transformation of society. To enhance core values, the teachers recommended spiritual formation, mental health programs, ongoing formation, community building, community extension, staffing, succession, coaching, mentoring, recognition programs, environmental, and nationalism, with emphasis on proper planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Based on these data, the 4-B Personal Development Framework on Core Values for Catholic School Teachers was designed which highlights the importance of Being, Becoming, Building, and Balancing in enhancing the teachers’ core values.