For each week's post, you can answer the question below. Each week we will focus on a different disposition or element of the Conceptual Framework. Feel free to post your own questions for your classmates as well.
Professionalism:
How did your supervising teacher express professionalism in and out of the classroom? Provide concrete and behavioral examples to that relate back to the characteristics of the dispositions.
Think about the following aspects of professionalism in your answer:
- dress and demeanor
- preparation to teach
- individual interactions with students: tone of voice, manner, eye gaze
- if relevant, how he/she discusses the students with you
- interaction with supervisors, other staff, parents
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ReplyDeleteAlso, the gym teacher seemed to be pretty on top of her role, but made a sort of face when someone messed up, even though she told the kids not to laugh. I wasn't so impressed with the way she was talking about them to me, sort of in front of them. Second graders could pick up cues, and I don't think she was being sensitive or professional about that.
ReplyDeleteI was only at the school for a couple of hours, and even that time was split between class and gym, but I did not specifically feel such professionalism in the atmosphere. I guess the teacher dressed pretty appropriately, with neat hair and dressy pants and shirt, but the aura she gave was not as much. I guess teachers of young grades need to be a little more approachable, but the way she stopped to laugh with the security guard and other teacher as she led the class (who were not in straight lines anymore), was not so impressive. Also, she was late picking up the class from gym, and did not apologize/explain anything to the kids. The classroom is full of stuff and the way she had to rush her class out the door at dismissal also seemed more haphazard than organized and professional.
ReplyDeleteI shouldn't be so critical of her, as her class is a huge group of ESL, so the kids themselves are really challenging, but maybe if she would be more explicit and professional, it would be better.
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ReplyDeleteThe teacher that I observed was very professional. She was well dressed, put together and well prepared. She gave off the impression that whatever she said went or else. After each assignment she gave to her kids she gave them a certain time limit and went by it. when certain students would act out she did not raise her voice, she kept calm and gave them a warning, and after two warnings they would receive a phone call home to their parents. She had a perfect balance of being strict and professional yet still being nice and approachable. When the students were working on their assignments,the teacher would walk around and ask if they needed help or complimented them on what they have done. Overall, she brought a professional feeling to the class.
ReplyDeleteIn my clinical experience this week I was able to observe 3 different teachers. For the most part, I was very impressed with all the teachers, and I felt that they all behaved in a very professional manner. However, I was surprised at one thing I saw in the classroom. There was one teacher in particular who I really enjoyed observing; I thought she was a very effective educator who had a great method for her subject. While she answered many questions in a very clear way, one student had a problem with a piece of the lesson that the teacher obviously felt was extremely important and I thought the way the teacher answered the question was bordering on harsh. I understood that she felt it could grow into a larger, more difficult to handle issue if not addressed properly but I still think it could have been handled in a different way. Something about it struck me as a little too strong and maybe a little, tiny bit personal. Other than that, her class was fantastic; I just felt that the issue was very charged for the teacher and that hindered her from her usual effective communication.
ReplyDeleteI was at my observation site for only an hour and a half and I could see that the teacher was very professional. To begin with, she was dressed nicely in a professional manner. She was very prepared, the class did not stall. As soon as the children were done with one task she was prepared with another. We discussed the students as a whole, but she she did not say anything negative about any specific student, there was no loshon hara or speaking about students for no purpose. She came over to me a couple of times to explain what she was doing or having the students do, but only once she saw that the students were settled. One boy needed to leave the group because he was misbehaving, yet there was no embarrassment or screaming. She was on time and followed a schedule.
ReplyDeleteI Observed at a public school. There was a teacher who had 17 students last year and this year has 28 students in her kindergarden class, so she was so excited that I came to observe. I came in and saw they were learning about patterns. On one page there were 3 pumpkins and they had to figure if the pumpkin was getting smaller or bigger. some kids shouted out it was getting bigger. However, others guessed right. The pumpkin was getting bigger. She allowed me to help, so I introduced myself to the kids. I love kids and so right away they noticed my positivity and rushed toward me after the teacher told them to sit down and wait for snack. The kids were looking at me while she was finishing up the book, and I gestured to look at their teacher. They said that I was their friend. I felt so honored. I then passed out the snack and the juice boxes and cleaned up all of the scraps and threw the garbage out. I asked each kid what their names were. It took a while. Some of their names are hard to pronounce. I remember 4 because they have names that are universal and that are popular. Some of the kids had to be settled down. each student started on green laminated sheet, and if one would not listen, his pin would be put on the yellow laminated sheet, and if they were not participating still then their personalized pin would be put on the red sheet. she had a very good system, but 28 kids are hard to handle on your own. But they did follow the schedule! Then one kid pulled my hand and we played in the pretend kitchen and then organized the dollhouse, then played legos. I noticed that each time a kid cam over he wanted to move on and play something else. we then did a puzzle and a lot of the kids helped. I was so proud of them. he wanted to move, but I told him that right now I was helping his friends, because they asked me(gently). I had a good day and I hope the kids did also. The teacher was so thankful.
ReplyDeleteI go to a place for children with special needs and it wasn't structured like a regular classroom. I came during lunch which is chill time for the staff and the students, so the staff were eating their lunches(while still watching the kids), and the kids were chilling out on the computer or just walking around. They ordered a new van that was supposed to take some of the kids to pack food packages, and it never arrived. however, they didn't freak out, the main teacher rolled with the punches and arranged something else for the kids to do. Also, it was nice because for the most part, each student has a one-on-one, and even when their helper was talking to me, they made sure to be keeping their main attention on the kid.
ReplyDeleteThe women dressed more nicely than the men, but it's different because they don't need to exude professionalism through their dress. Overall, I was impressed with the way everyone rolled with the punches(especially because with special ed you never know what will happen next).
Thank you to all of you for posting. I am really enjoying your posts and how you engage with the topic of Professionalism. Here are some comments:
ReplyDelete@Nechama Leiba - you mention that while the teacher 'looked' professional, there was an aura that showed a disconnect between her behavior and appearance. You picked up on many signals - from her interactions with the children - that show this is an area to work on.
@Avigail - You touched upon the importance of balance in the classroom - to be both flexible, approachable and still be a figure of authority and able to address behavior issues. Like you said, she used her time effectively and took the time for 'teachable moments' and instruction time. One definition of a good teacher is one who can over more material and takes advantage of every moment, which it looks like she did.
@Chana - good description of the interventions the teacher used to manage the class, especially navigating the room. Being professional definitely includes creating an environment of learning and having a plan in place.
@Danielle H. - you touched upon an essential issue for teachers: BIAS. We all have those hot topics that make us cringe and you know our students will ask us about them. We have time now to examine them and come up with our responses and ask ourselves the same tough questions.
@Shani - It sounds like your teacher used every moment for instruction and ensured that the children were learning. You brought up an excellent point about the nature of observers. Sometimes teachers feel the desire to confide in you about the children in front of them, and it's a sign of your teacher's professionalism that she made sure not to do this.
@Danielle B. - You pointed out an important issue when it comes to observing and professionalism. As the new adult in the room, the children are very excited to see you. But, as you explained, the children needed to be directed back to focus on the teacher when she was reading to them. You are able to help your supervising teacher more sometimes by simply redirecting the students' attention away from you.
@Ruthie - Excellent point about keeping the attention on the students. Professionals must maintain their primary responsibility to their students and only afterwards, turn to the observers. You also explained how important it is to roll with the punches, which is also part of professionalism and flexibility.
I also wanted to unpack the comment about gender roles in professionalism. How do women and men exude professionalism through their dress? In other words, do men still show their professionalism by what they wear to work? Would a pair of jeans and a T-shirt have the same effect as a suit on the aura of the teacher? What do you think?
Please feel free to comment on any of these issues or another person's post. Great work, everyone!
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ReplyDeleteI was actually just thinking about this today, when we watched a video in Differentiated Instruction class. The teacher being filmed was wearing a colored button down shirt with a put-together pullover sweater over it. I thought that was a good balance between unapproachable and "one of the gang." On the other hand, I wonder how much the formal dress would throw a student off, if he felt the teacher's friendliness and approachability in other ways. I don't remember this kind of thing really being a big deal to my own relationship with teachers, even though we definitely had teachers come in heels and other formal attire.
ReplyDeleteYou know what, I think that some teachers can pull off making a pair of jeans look neat and presentable, and some can't. I never thought that a woman teacher should wear jeans, but in the mornings I drive a girl to (Montessori) school, and one of the teachers wears jeans every day, but she looks very presentable. Part of it is in the pair of jeans its self. I think if one were able to look presentable in a pair of jeans, they need to be dark-washed and nice. The same goes for men. Some can pull it off, and some can't.
ReplyDeleteIn general, if you put the same outfit on 2 people, it can look presentable on one person and not the other so part of it is using your judgement.
I agree with Avigail about the skirts though.
I actually just got an email from my friend and it was a youtube video of teachers in a school doing a flash mob in the middle of the students' lunch. While this is a very cute idea, the teachers were dressed in wacky outfits and were dancing a little crazily. If I were a student in that school, I would never look at my teachers the same way. I myself was traumatized and I don't go to that school. It's one thing to act funny for a teachers skit, and it's another thing to act funny out of context. This just reminded me of our professionalism blog.
ReplyDeleteJust incase anyone w is on their way to look it up, there are multiple videos of different teacher flashmobs, and the one I specifically had in mind was crazier than the rest and it was during school hours rather than at a basketball game or talent show.
ReplyDeleteMy first experience at Fairview showed me just what professionalism should look like. To begin with, the teachers actually seem really happy to be there ( as opposed to what I have heard teachers at other schools say). The dress code at Fairview seems to reflect a professional environment.
ReplyDeleteBeing that I am observing in two different Special Ed. classrooms, I was especially interested in observing how the teachers and students interacted. The classrooms are fantastic! The teachers are friendly and caring, but can also be firm when necessary, but never in a way that will embarrass the student.
The teachers have interactive lessons, incorporating smart boards into their lessons, which bring lessons alive. The teachers also make sure that each student gets as much one on one help as they need, and so there are several teachers in the classrooms to offer their assistance.
the teachers in both classrooms make a point of making eye contact and smiling a lot, and genuinely seem to care about their students. You can feel the affection that they have towards their students.
Each classroom has a schedule written up in the front of the classroom so that students always know where they need to be and it seems to keep everything more organized.
Honestly, I couldn't be more impressed with these two classes. They are absolutely wonderful!
Also, going back to what Nechama Leiba said, I don't really think that professional is a disposition that a student is looking for in their teacher. It's more important to the staff of the school and the parents. Of course, some professionalism is needed just for the students. But, I think that students care more that their teacher is enthusiastic, organized, creative..... than professional. The parents, on the other hand, want to interact professionally with the teacher. I think that a teacher can look a lot less professional, and more comfortable in the classroom, but make sure to dress up for parent-teacher conferences!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chaya that most students care more about their teacher's enthusiasm, creativity and organization than "professionalism." Perhaps students do not use the word professional, but they like the traits that it implies. Most students will not take a teacher who comes in with messy or disorderly clothes seriously. Organization is also part of professionalism as well as preparation and the way the teacher interacts with the students. I think that these traits are important to students.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the other traits of a teacher may be more consciously important to the students themselves, but I still think that, especially in this rather unprofessional generation, where many other adults lower themselves to a younger level, students need someone to respect and value. For this, I think that students do need to see a level of professionalism in their teachers, even if they don't realize this themselves. It doesn't mean being all stiff and formal in the classroom, but students should have at least these adults as proper role models who set a focused portrayal of learning and education.
ReplyDeleteI felt like the teacher I observed in my clinical experience for the most part was very professional. She was dressed very nicely and was very put together. She was very organized and had different activities that made things interesting for the students. One thing I felt was that she spoke harshly to the students who are only in first grade. It could be that she was setting ground rules for the year but to me it seemed unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteLike Avigail I also never really thought about professionalism as the way a person dresses. Growing up in Jewish schools people always dressed modestly and nicely. What Ruthie said about the flash mobs I think sounds really funny! I would personally like it if my teachers did something like that to show they are real people and can let loose of the intense professionalism of the classroom.
ReplyDeleteThe teacher dresses pretty modestly. She wears nice dress pants and puts jewlery on.
ReplyDeleteToday some kids were not listening to her when she was giving instructions for a project and she spoke in a good middle tone and said, "I am not going to rush. I will take my time, and whenever we have snack is when we have it."
There is one kid who is in the class and he is very touchy. Meaning, he is always hugging me or pulling my arm, so I'll count to 5 so he can get his hugs and if it doesn't work I go over to the teacher and I tell her politely, because she knows that he wants this feeling of care or something.
When we had play time, the teacher called over 7 kids to do a project, because we didn't have time to have a separate time for the project. Then we had called over 5 kids, because we didn't have time so, the other kids will do it tomorrow IY"H, but she was very calm. She tells the kids to sit and to go clean up. Sometimes she says something in a louder tone, but that is just because the student is really not listening or is not behaving.
I forgot to mention though, that one kid had to go to the bathroom and she said no because he had gone already, but I was looking at him and it seemed like he really had to go. Then he asked if he could go get a drink haha.
ReplyDeleteThe classroom is small for 26 kids, but It is set up nicely.
The teacher I observed was professional in some ways and unprofessional in others. On the one hand, she controlled the classroom very well. For example, she had one hall pass that was used for bathroom or drinks. This meant that only one person could go out at one time, thereby eliminating any possibility of loitering in the halls. She also made sure to help all the kids who asked, and tried to help the individual as well as the whole. However, she raised her voice a lot, and it sort of reinforced the idea that the louder you scream, the less you are heard. The kids stopped when she yelled at them, but the lesson they learned was to fear the teacher. This is not the best way to handle things, because it implies that when the teacher isn’t there you can do what you want and pay no attention to the rules. Also, she was not very warm or patient, and she tended to pick favorites. For example, if two kids were doing something wrong, she would only tell one off, and would overlook the other one’s misbehavior. And if two kids did something right, she would praise one but not the other. It was often the same kids that got the short end of the stick, and it sort of bothered me that she did that. Her dress was pretty professional, and she was very organized. I learned a lot from her, and I am very grateful that I am in her classroom. Go Eti!
ReplyDeletei like working with my teacher. she is very prepared to teach when ever she walks into the classroom. she dresses appropriately and is kind to each and every student. she does not embarase students in front of other students and teachers. she knows how to control the classroom even whe it seems to be getting out of control. she tells parents individually if their child needs help.
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