Professionalism

What Does it Mean to be Professional?

Manitoba teachers have a duty to act professionally, and perform professional requirements. If teachers are not held to a certain standard, the education system as we know it would be greatly impacted, and slowly slip between our fingertips. These standards are put into place for the best interest of all parties involved, and to ensure the most effective and highest quality experience. 

Gathering all the information I have learnt over this course, and my first year in the Education program, I have grouped professionalism into what I believe composes five main categories: 

Legal Obligations- teacher have many legal requriements, at all levels of the education system. This spans from the Manitoba's Teacher Society, Education Administration Act, Public School's Act, etc., all the way down to obligations made by the school division, and school that they work for. These code of conducts describe and explain what a teacher can and cannot do, and also what they must do. Some examples of legal obligations that are set out for teachers include: their first responsibility is to their students, they must maintain order and behvaiour, they must have an ongoing professional development, they respect confidentiality, they must be at work 10min before the morning bell and 5min before the lunch bell, they cannot bypass immediate authority to reach higher authority first, etc. 

Student Records- as teachers, our job is to formatively and summatively assess our students throughout the entire year, and write corresponding report cards. While it is obvious to most people, the students assessment records should match the report card marks and comments. When writing report cards, the comments should be written in the, "strengths-challenge-next step" formula, and must reflect the academics of the student, rather than the behaviour. 

Documentation- this has been one concept that has been repeated a number of times, in every class I've attended. I have been reminded over and over again
to write everything down, because you never know when you will get approached with a question, or, in other times, it may be needed in the event of a legal case. You are never going to remember/recall all the specific details of the situation/day, therefore, take a few moments during the day, or at the end, and write it all down.

Communication with Parents- in order to achieve a professional rapport, teachers must make the time to communicate with parents effectively, and in a respetful way. Teachers and parents need to work together for the interest of the student. Commucation with parents does not always have to be negative, either. Sometimes, reaching out to parents to let them know how much their child is improving, how great of a day they had, or letting them know of something nice their child did, can go a long way. Of course, keeping in contact with parents whose child is experiencing difficulties, of any kind at school, is also the role of a professional. This communication is also ciritcal when creating IEP/BIP plans; another professional task that is required.

Conferences- these meetings could be in the form of dealing with a conflict/angry parent, or through something known as "Parent/Teacher Interviews". Teachers must maintian respect and confidentiality throughout these meetings, at all times. At all parent conferences, teachers should know their parents prior to the meeting, be constructively assertive, be prepared to problem solve, appreciate the parents efforts, go in with a plan, approach the concern as a team, document everything, and focus on the behaiour of the student, not the student themself. If the parent you are dealing with is discontented, teachers must act professionally and communicate with adminstration early, document (of course!), wait 24 hours before responding, meet with the parents early in the day, provide positive cimmunication, maintain confidentiality, and summarize all areas discussed at the end of the conference.