PROFESSIONALISM FOR

TEACHERS

Teaching is a profession …

Therefore, teachers are expected to display appropriate, professional behavior, appearance and dispositions.

Professional Dispositions

The values, commitments, and professional ethics that… Influence our behaviors toward students, families, colleagues and communities…

Affect our student’s learning, motivation, and development…

Guide our professional growth, guided by beliefs and attitudes related to global values such as:

Professional Dispositions Caring, fairness, and honesty Responsibility and sense of social justice Attendance and punctuality Self-initiative & independence Reliability & dependability Desire to improve,with appropriate response to feedback Critical thinking skills Appropriate think-on-your-feet,“with-it-ness”& multi-tasking Collegiality Commitment to the teaching profession Professional ethics & demeanor Developing challenging curriculum

Professional Conduct

Have classroom & material prepared & organized

Consistently demonstrate professional writing skills- all writing will be evaluated as if you were a professional educator in a public classroom. Neatness, spelling, grammar, penmanship, tone, citation and referencing counts.

Professional Conduct Consistently demonstrate professional oral language

skills Appropriate language, tone of voice, etc. is expected.

Common concerns and issues:-cursing/swearing or use of objectionable words-derogatory, racist, sexist, or demeaning jokes, remarks, and ‘slurs’; personal remarks about

religious or political views to students or staff-personal remarks about students or staff-argumentative or aggressive verbal tones-incorrect grammar and usage

Professional Conduct

Avoid use, distribution or dispensing of tobacco products, drugs (illegal or legal), or alcohol on site or away from site with students

Dress- take a more conservative approach

Observe staff, then go up a “notch or two” Guys – shirts with collars, ties optional,

sweaters Gals – Comfortable skirts & dresses, avoid

revealing attire Either guys or gals - Khakis, cords, slacks,

Dockers style pants Fridays with competition – Pirate gear!

Dress - continued

Be conservative, practical & professional

Do a mirror test: Bend over, stretch, lean down, and kneel – if you can see skin where you shouldn’t, don’t wear it to school.

Common personal appearance concerns:

Casual, worn blue jeans – except Pirate gear days

Mini and low-rise skirts

Crop tops, low cut tops, or spaghetti straps

T-shirts with logos/words –other than school sanctioned

Common personal appearance concerns: Low-cut pants & “baggy britches” Strong scented perfumes, aftershaves, tobacco

odor “Spiky-high fashion” shoes & beach-y “flip-flops Hats Obvious/excessive body piercings or tattoos Gum, food, tongue studs which affect oral

speech enunciation

Respect

Always be respectful of colleagues, mentors, supervisors, staff and students.-respect staff and administration’s practices, beliefs, classroom management, instructional styles, etc.

Consistently demonstrate professional social skills CAUTION: Teachers’ Lounge

Confidentiality

Maintain confidentiality of students & staff

Never discuss anything about a student outside of appropriate professional setting.

Respect Professional BoundariesDO NOT - Date students Develop “personal” friendships with students Transport students in a vehicle at anytime,

under any circumstances Invite students to meet you off school

property

Sexual Harassment Use caution & common sense when alone

with a student.-Sit in full view (to hallway) with an open door-Sit on opposite side of desk or table – or at least on adjacent side (avoid shoulder to shoulder)

-Do not sexually harass any student, staff member or visitor. Make every reasonable effort to avoid even the appearance of actions that could be interpreted as sexual harassment of students and/or co –workers.

Learn school’s safety regulations

Fire & other safety drills and evacuations Weapons, active shooter, & bomb threats Medical emergencies & first aid situations Lock down procedures – see safety manual

Communicable Diseases / blood

Liability – there is always a risk that you can be held liable for a situation while teaching.

Most school districts will not “cover” personal liability cases or judgments against an individual.

Acquire liability insurancePersonal insurance policiesMEA-MFT membership ($1 million liability)

Dealing with students -

Respect personal, physical boundaries Regardless of intent, every time we touch a

student we put ourselves at risk… Do not use corporal punishment! Hitting,

slapping, shoving, paddling, grabbing,etc.

Use EXTREME CAUTION with all physical contact including hugs,“back pats,” touching.

Use of public property

Learn and follow district’s rules in computer use. Do not leave teacher computer unsupervised.

Report problems

Report drug use, sexual or physical abuse, potential suicide, harm to self or others, etc.

Teachers are required to report.

Career Killers -

Gossip, whining, griping – being negative Breach of confidentiality Substance use or abuse Tardiness & absenteeism Academic incompetence Inappropriate computer use Poor speaking / writing skills Unprofessional behavior or demeanor

Career Builders –

Always seeking to improve skills – speaking, writing, vocabulary, etc.

Participating in student activities Participating in professional organizations Working with others to be a professional

colleague.

Credits:

Much of the material comes from the MSU-Billings Pre Service Educators Program Thanks to principal Rick Rafter for his suggestions. Written by Judie Woodhouse, Polson Mentoring Committee Member Developed for Fall Orientation 2008