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Part 2 Professionalism in Teaching

EDU 20029
14021518

Through my experiences observing different schools in the area around Keele, I was able
to perceive many different aspects of professionalism that the teachers displayed. I observed how
they acted towards students and other teachers and how they presented themselves. Each school
presented me with different aspects and challenges of professionalism which has helped me
realize more about what it means to be a teacher.
The first school I visited, a primary school, had behavioral standards for both the teachers
and the students. All students were taught hand signals to use that had different meanings such as
being quiet and listening, knowing an answer, and pair and discuss. Students can use the hand
signals to indicate one of these meanings to the teacher without verbalizing their condition. The
teachers all use the hand signals too so the students know what is expected of them. The hand
signals also teach the students to respect the instruction that the teacher is giving them. The hand
signals also help reinforce that teachers should be strict but friendly toward their students.
At the special school I visited, the professional behavior that stood out to me the most
was the patience that the teachers and teacher assistants had with their students. All of the
students in the classroom I observed had different disabilities, some more severe than others. The
teachers and teacher assistants had to be aware of how the students were doing at all times to
keep things running smoothly. One of the students in the class had problems with violent
outbursts, so the teachers had to exercise extra caution and patience with this student. Because of
the variety of disabilities among the students, the teacher differentiated the lessons for the

different ability levels of the students. This required the teacher and the teacher assistants to be
able to communicate about the needs of the students in a professional manner. They also have to
respect and trust one another.
At the secondary school I visited, I was able to see how teachers interact with one another
and work together. I observed a lunchtime math department meeting. During the meeting they
discussed the possibility of a math competition field trip; they talked about when would be a
good time to go, what students they should take, and the transportation they would need. They
also shared handy online resources that could be used in lessons for worksheets and tests. The
teachers were all very respectful and enthusiastic about what their peers had to say. I have
learned that it is important as a teacher to get along with the other teachers you work with
because it could have an effect on your ability to teach successfully.
I had a discussion with one of the math teachers I observed at the secondary school about
professionalism. He explained two points about being professional that I had not yet thought
about. One of the points was the importance of calling a student by the name they want to be
called. Calling them by their chosen name shows that the teacher respects the student as an
individual person and not just as another student among many. The other point was about not
invading a students personal space. It is important to establish boundaries, and as a professional,
one should not use physical contact unless necessary or appropriate. Being professional is not
just about interactions between staff, it also impacts interactions between teachers and students.
While I was observing at the secondary school, I was able to witness interactions between
teachers from different departments. In order to coordinate my observation schedule, the teachers
needed to consult one another about when would be a good time for me to observe their class. I
noticed that they were all accommodating and wanted me to get the most out of my time there.

There were a few common elements of professionalism that I saw in almost all of the
schools I visited. One of those elements was the teachers concern for their students professional
behavior. In the primary, secondary, and sixth form schools, the teachers started their first class
by checking their students uniforms to make sure they were in compliance with school
standards. They addressed students strictly but respectfully, and in exchange, the students
responded in a respectful manner. Ensuring that the students are dressed appropriately could lead
to more professional behavior from the students in the classroom.
I believe that professionalism is basically respect in different forms. By having respect
for oneself, one would dress in appropriate attire for working in a school environment. Having
respect for ones colleagues would cause one to be positive and helpful and would creative a
trusting environment. Respecting ones students would mean giving them personal space, getting
to know them personally, giving them strict guidelines on standard procedures, and preparing
ones lessons to suit the needs of the students. Having respect for the various areas of teaching as
a profession leads to professional behavior.