Monday, January 26, 2009
Professional
The rubric is first this time so you can read it. Notice the last bullet in Above Expectation and Expected. It mentions professional behavior.
Above Expectation
•always arrives on time with no absences
•thoroughly prepared for class at all times and extends beyond the required assignment with resources
•records including assignments are meticulously organized, accurate, and current
•accepts responsibility for actions and seeks feedback
•Is a roll model for professional behavior
Expected
Meets Standard
•follows applicable policies and procedures from professors and the MAT program
•is prepared for class
•maintains accurate and up-to-date records ex. Tk20, portfolio entries
•accepts responsibility for actions
•completes assignments on time
•maintains professional behavior
Needs Improvement
Below Standard
•unexcused lateness or absences
•not prepared for class
•assignments are late
•does not follow policies and procedures
•exhibits apathy
•does not exhibit professional behavior
•makes excuses for lack of production
•waits to be told what actions to take
•blames others for mistakes
•depends on others for answers
That term is really broad. What does it mean for you as a graduate student and as a future teacher? Some of the other indicators in this rubric help you to understand what some of it is. However, it is really more than those items.
James Ball in his book Professionalism is for Everyone talks about the five keys to being a true professional:
Character
Aspects of a professional’s character include integrity, honesty, truthfulness, forthrightness, trustworthiness, being responsible, being diligent, doing what is right, and projecting a professional image.
Attitude
Having a professional attitude means, adopting a service mentality, seeking responsibility, having determination, and being a team player.
Excellence
To excel as a professional you must press for excellence, strive for continual improvement, be attentive, and follow instructions.
Competency
Professional competency in your field is a combination of expertise, performance, personal effectiveness, and being a good communicator.
Conduct
Professionals conduct themselves with maturity, manners, loyalty, respect for authority, confidences, confidentiality, and a touch of class.
Basically Mr. Ball has categorized professional behaviors into five areas. These areas help to understand all of the nuances that comprise professionalism. However, how do these apply to teaching?
Princeton University’s teacher education program has an encompassing explanation that will help you understand what you need to practice in order to be a professional educator.
Professionalism: Teachers will conduct themselves, in both appearance and performance, to a high standard of professionalism that encourages the growth of mutual respect between the teacher and students, parents, colleagues, and administrators.
a. Lessons, teaching materials, and professional communications are prepared carefully and are planned well in advance with appropriate consultation with the cooperating instructor.
b. Suggestions from the cooperating instructor and supervisor are considered and applied.
c. Proper attire is worn.
d. Punctuality and attendance for obligations is valued and demonstrated, and responsibilities are met in a timely fashion.
e. All aspects of daily conduct are appropriate and professional.
f. Relationships, interactions, and language used with students, parents, and colleagues are appropriate and productive.
g. All student teaching requirements (for example: formal observations, self evaluations,and journals) were fully completed and submitted within the deadlines set by the cooperating instructor and/or supervisor.
h. Honesty and integrity are demonstrated in all interactions with students, professionals and other individuals.
i. Interest is shown in the life and culture of the school through observation, interaction with school personnel, and through involvement with extra-curricular activity.
These are a lot of behaviors to learn in eighteen months. Our expectation is that you will practice them through the program and continue to do so when you are teaching because being a professional is a lifelong skill to be continually sharpened.
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ReplyDeleteThese character traits, followed in every aspect of life, reflect an attitiude of respect- for yourself and others.
ReplyDeleteHenry,
ReplyDeleteVery interesting video. The pace of technological development and its subsequent implications for human life is truly staggering. we obviously have a need to educate our students in these modern technological realities. They are intregal to professional success and are indeed permeating every aspect of our lives. What I believe is even more important however, is teaching our students critical thinking skills. The video mentioned the massive amount of new information being generated daily. most of this web content is irrelevent, erroneous, or worse, deliterious to the thinking individual. That is why educating students in genuine thinking skills is more important now than ever. They (us too!) have the arduous task of "separating the wheat from the online chaff." This promotion of intellect, I believe, comes from fostering imagination, critical thinking, and the basic investigatory skills which are applied to our new technological realities but are certainly not beholden to them. throughout this heady, even dizzying time of technological revolution we must not forget that technology is merely a tool which is wielded by the most important tool of all: the human mind. Let us return the focus to honing this essential tool. anyone can pick up a hammer and chisel, but only the talented, trained artist can use them to produce anything of value. Thanks for posting these thought provoking pieces.
Chris