what is professionalism in teaching?
It is widely accepted that the most critical impact on student learning is the quality of the teacher and the teaching (Churchill et al., 2011). The Australian Professional Standards provide a framework for teaching excellence to ensure the highest quality teaching in Australian Schools. Every teacher in Australia must conduct themselves according the the Professional Standards, at each stage of your career.
A professional teaching qualification does not make you a professional, in the true sense of the word. Belonging to a particular profession does not automatically guarantee that the service you provide is a professional one. Hence, teaching as a professional is a hard thing to do because it encompasses many roles to be done well. Read this article to find out how you can stand out as a true professional in your field: the classroom and larger school community.
A professional teaching qualification does not make you a professional, in the true sense of the word. Belonging to a particular profession does not automatically guarantee that the service you provide is a professional one. Hence, teaching as a professional is a hard thing to do because it encompasses many roles to be done well. Read this article to find out how you can stand out as a true professional in your field: the classroom and larger school community.
Being a professional teacher means putting your students’ learning first, you hold high expectations for yourself and your students, and you conduct yourself in a professional manner.
Here are some more ideas of how a teaching professional conducts themselves:
9 characteristics of a great teacher
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/philosophy-of-teaching/nine-characteristics-of-a-great-teacher/
Effective Teaching - Professionalism
http://effectiveteaching2010andbeyond.yolasite.com/professionalism.php
9 characteristics of a great teacher
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/philosophy-of-teaching/nine-characteristics-of-a-great-teacher/
Effective Teaching - Professionalism
http://effectiveteaching2010andbeyond.yolasite.com/professionalism.php
teachers' Responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities of a teacher are many and varied. Whilst you will develop an extensive awareness of all of these as you become more experienced, it is a great idea to familiarise yourself before you begin. The links below are NSW specific, so check your state government education site. According the NSW DEC:
“As a NSW public school teacher, you have a responsibility to ensure that students gain the knowledge and skills they require to become effective learners and ultimately effective and responsible citizens and to understand and appreciate the values and beliefs supported by Australian society. You also have the responsibility to meet the high standards of professional and ethical behaviour required by the Department, the public, parents and the profession itself. Teachers undertake this responsibility within the framework of the law and lawful instructions from the employer” (NSW DEC, 2015).
Table adapted from Poisson (2014)
effective communication
As teachers we need to be master communicators! We are required to communicate with a wide range of people for an even wider range of purposes. The hallmark of an effective communicator is one who is open and respectful, however when circumstances are challenging, it is not always so easy. There are a few "communication tips" link at the end of this page you may like to visit.
According to Hall (2010), there are critical distinctions that “create the foundation for those powerfully profound skills and states that facilitate the very best of communication”. Though these descriptions are not specific to teaching, they provide a more academic view of masterful communicating. They are:
According to Hall (2010), there are critical distinctions that “create the foundation for those powerfully profound skills and states that facilitate the very best of communication”. Though these descriptions are not specific to teaching, they provide a more academic view of masterful communicating. They are:
- Sensory awareness
- Ability to be present in the moment and focus on the now.
- Stepping back into an observing or witnessing state that facilitates objectivity.
- Getting the ego out of the way to be as “clean” as possible.
- Staying open and receptive to feedback
- Flexibility to adjust to real-time feedback and making on-course corrections
- Thinking systematically and recognising leverage points
- Exploring curiously to discover what is
- Seeking clarity in problem-definition
- Solution-focus thinking in creating forward moving
- Suspending meaning so there can be true dialogue
working collaboratively with colleagues
Here are some strategies for working with diverse staff:
- As a member of any team you need to set clear goals
- This needs to occur by having all group members placing some effort, this requires that you or someone demands commitment from all team members.
- Identify challenges that you which to overcome (i.e., aim).
- Ensure collective responsibility.
- Ensure you have set short-terms projects that are achievable as well as long-term projects.
- Ensure you respect your colleagues, use of non-verbal aggression, threats, physical abuse or intimidation is unacceptable.
- Be culturally aware and non-discriminatory against your colleagues (as per the Anti-Discrimination act 1977).
- Lead by example.
- Maintain confidentiality
- Trust each other
- Value everyone’s roles and contributions.
- Allow everyone to have an input
- Utilise everyone’s skills and interests.
- Share responsibilities
- Be flexible.
- Use everyone’s name when greeting
- Show genuine interests in others views and be an active listener.
- Communicate clearly and professionally
- Hold regular meetings
- Use ‘I’ messages when trying to express feelings when resolving conflict, they are non-blaming and calm e.g. I feel…. When you…. Because...
dealing with conflict
In the following article, they describe the need for parents and teachers to develop a “strong and positive relationship (which) serves the best interest of the student. Communication throughout the year is essential to support student success and well-being. It allows parents and teachers to work together to support student learning and success. Read the article below for an entertaining and informative read.
Tips to Strengthen Parent Teacher Communication
http://www.teachhub.com/tips-strengthen-parent-teacher-communication
7 Effective Parent Teacher Communication Tips
http://www.teachhub.com/parent-teacher-communication-tips
How teachers can work with 5 difficult types of parents
http://teaching.monster.com/benefits/articles/9762-how-teachers-can-work-with-5-difficult-types-of-parents
Parents and Carers can also be valuable partners in teaching their children. They know their child better than anyone else, and can provide insight and support. They can be creative, reliable, insightful, helpful, resourceful…they can be almost anything and everything. Download the following files to learn more about strategies for working with parents and how to build collaborative relationships.
Tips to Strengthen Parent Teacher Communication
http://www.teachhub.com/tips-strengthen-parent-teacher-communication
7 Effective Parent Teacher Communication Tips
http://www.teachhub.com/parent-teacher-communication-tips
How teachers can work with 5 difficult types of parents
http://teaching.monster.com/benefits/articles/9762-how-teachers-can-work-with-5-difficult-types-of-parents
Parents and Carers can also be valuable partners in teaching their children. They know their child better than anyone else, and can provide insight and support. They can be creative, reliable, insightful, helpful, resourceful…they can be almost anything and everything. Download the following files to learn more about strategies for working with parents and how to build collaborative relationships.
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Professional dress code
Back to basics: it is better to be over-dressed than under-dressed and DO NOT wear it if you can see up it, down it or through it!
DEC Dress Code
file:///C:/Users/Joanne/Downloads/dec_dress_code.pdf
These tips are for student teachers, but is a handy reference for all teachers.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sue-gober/top-10-guide-to-professio_b_5731078.html?ir=Australia
DEC Dress Code
file:///C:/Users/Joanne/Downloads/dec_dress_code.pdf
These tips are for student teachers, but is a handy reference for all teachers.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sue-gober/top-10-guide-to-professio_b_5731078.html?ir=Australia
For more information
Code of conduct
http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-centre/why-choose-us/code-of-conduct
Communication Tips for Teachers
http://www.nspra.org/files/CommTipsforTeachers.pdf
Communication tips and ideas for teachers
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/principals/community/ts2comteachers.pdf
Johnson, N 2003, Working in Teams, Department of Education Victoria, accessed 21/8/2015,
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/documents/school/teachers/profdev/workinginteams.pdf
NSW DEC 2014, Code of Conduct, accessed 20/8/2015,
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/staff/ethical_behav/conduct/Code_guide.pdf
NSW Education 2015, Teamwork Tips, accessed 21/8/2015,
http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/students/high-school/leaving-school/teamwork-tips
Professional responsibilities
http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/detresources/handbook_ch5_LMPYFWomDx.doc.
http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-centre/why-choose-us/code-of-conduct
Communication Tips for Teachers
http://www.nspra.org/files/CommTipsforTeachers.pdf
Communication tips and ideas for teachers
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/principals/community/ts2comteachers.pdf
Johnson, N 2003, Working in Teams, Department of Education Victoria, accessed 21/8/2015,
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/documents/school/teachers/profdev/workinginteams.pdf
NSW DEC 2014, Code of Conduct, accessed 20/8/2015,
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/staff/ethical_behav/conduct/Code_guide.pdf
NSW Education 2015, Teamwork Tips, accessed 21/8/2015,
http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/students/high-school/leaving-school/teamwork-tips
Professional responsibilities
http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/detresources/handbook_ch5_LMPYFWomDx.doc.
references
Churchill, R., Ferguson, P., Godinho, S., Johnson, N.F., Keddie, A., Letts, W., Mackay, J., McGill, M., Moss, J., Nagel, M.C., Nicholson, P. & Vick, M. 2011, Teaching: Making a difference, John Wiley & Sons, Australia.
Community Child Care Victoria 2011, Educator Interactions and Relationships with Children in Children’s Services: Self-Guided Learning Package, Australian Government Department of Education, Gowrie, Victoria.
Hall, M. L. 2010, "Seven Key Distinctions Of Masterful Communications", Neuro-semantics, accessed 21/8/15, http://www.neurosemantics.com/nlp/seven-key-distinctions
New South Wales Department of Education and Communities (NSW DEC) 2015, "Professional and Legal Responsibilities of Teachers", About the Department, accessed 21/8/15, http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/detresources/handbook_ch5_LMPYFWomDx.doc
Poisson, M. 2014, Teacher's professional code of conduct, Center for Innovations in Education, accessed 19/8/2015, http://www.slideshare.net/CIEAzerbaijan/teachers-professional-code-of-conduct-aze
Whitton,D., Sinclair, C., Barker, K., Nanlohy, P. & Nosworthy, M. 2004, Learning for teaching: Teaching for learning, Victoria: Thompson.
Community Child Care Victoria 2011, Educator Interactions and Relationships with Children in Children’s Services: Self-Guided Learning Package, Australian Government Department of Education, Gowrie, Victoria.
Hall, M. L. 2010, "Seven Key Distinctions Of Masterful Communications", Neuro-semantics, accessed 21/8/15, http://www.neurosemantics.com/nlp/seven-key-distinctions
New South Wales Department of Education and Communities (NSW DEC) 2015, "Professional and Legal Responsibilities of Teachers", About the Department, accessed 21/8/15, http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/detresources/handbook_ch5_LMPYFWomDx.doc
Poisson, M. 2014, Teacher's professional code of conduct, Center for Innovations in Education, accessed 19/8/2015, http://www.slideshare.net/CIEAzerbaijan/teachers-professional-code-of-conduct-aze
Whitton,D., Sinclair, C., Barker, K., Nanlohy, P. & Nosworthy, M. 2004, Learning for teaching: Teaching for learning, Victoria: Thompson.