How to Be a Professional Teacher
Edited byNoeleen Hart and 6 others
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. Read this article to find out how you can stand out as a true professional in your field: the classroom and larger school community.
Edit Steps
- 1Inspire the trust of your clients - the students and parents. Create a good first impression from day one of the academic year.
- 2Dress like a professional. It is important for teachers to dress tastefully. Revealing clothes are the number one "no-no" for female teachers. Male teachers should remember that a tie and jacket worn to work, can easily be removed should the need arise. Teachers should arrive at work, looking the part.
- 3Always be on time for work. A professional teacher understands the need to start the day well, every day. Truly professional teachers will make sure that they arrive at least ten minutes before the first bell rings, so as to prepare themselves mentally for the day ahead.
- 4Be prepared. Check your diary the night before and plan the day ahead. Professional teachers plan thoroughly too for every lesson and class. They stick to their work programme and assessment schedule, to ensure that not only syllabus content is covered, but also the necessary skills for their students' longer-term success in their specific subject or learning area.
- 5Follow procedures and the protocol expected at your school. Professionals embrace the corporate identity and values and model these for the clients - in this case, the children they teach.
- 6Take charge of your classroom. Manage your students' behaviour. A professional teacher will not keep running to school management for assistance with classroom discipline, for example.
- 7Take pride in the process and product. Make sure your notes and handouts are professionally presented. Professional teachers should never have to be asked to re-do a piece of work because its presentation is shoddy.
- 8Never miss a deadline. Professionals keep their work up to date and plan ahead. Amateurs leave work until the last minute.
- 9Keep up to date with your marking and grading of students' tasks. A three day rule of thumb should apply. If you take too long to hand back class tests and so on, the students will have lost interest in the task and their results by the time you return their work.
- 10Treat your colleagues and supervisors with respect. Model respect for authority for your students and gaining their respect will be much easier for you.
- 11Be passionate, positive, and enthusiastic about your work. A professional teacher will not create negativity in a staff room or engage in mindless gossip and the spreading of dissent.
- 12Embrace change. A professional teacher will not be a doomsayer and throw cold water on new ideas or suggestions for positive change. A professional will not vocalise negative thoughts like "That will never work at this school."
- 13Take an interest in every child. The better you get to know your students, the more influence you will have on their attitude towards your subject, and on their lives in general. Remember the adage: "Teachers touch eternity, they never know where their influence may end."
- 14Treat your students with respect. Follow the maxim "Do unto others." Never publically humiliate or belittle your students. Do not discuss their results or grades in front of other students. Don't personalise issues with students.Leave their family, background, religion,behaviour, and personal circumstances out of public disciplinary processes and discussions.
- 15Be a mentor not a friend. Model responsible adult values, exhibit self-control, choose your words carefully and consider the impact they may have on a particular student or group of students.
- 16Maintain confidentiality. A professional teacher will use students'personal information to assist in helping a child to reach his or her potential. Confidential information will not be disclosed over tea during recess, or used as a weapon against a student. Confidential information such as the content of staff meetings too will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
- 17Consult parents. Try to include parents in the educational process and encourage their support of the school's disciplinary processes and procedures. Be polite and calm when dealing with parents. Keep reminding them that every discussion about the child needs to be undertaken with the child's best interests at heart.
- 18Put safety first. Remember that as a professional teacher you are offering a service to the students and the school community. You are duty-bound to take your "in loco parentis" role seriously. Explain why certain rules are in place and follow all institutional risk management procedures.
- 19Support your colleagues and school management. Walk the talk. Put the needs of the institution above your own. Remember you are one person in a group of professionals who share a common goal and vision.
- 20Let excellence be your aim. Constantly provide benchmarks for improvement for your students. Give praise when it is due, lots of it. Draw gently alongside those who are in need of help and find creative ways to assist them to improve their grades.
- 21Take responsibility for your students' results. As a professional teacher, the grades your students achieve are a reflection on you. Bear this in mind, in all you do.
- 22Behave professionally in public. Always support your school if negative people are bad-mouthing the institution. Swearing and drunkeness in public will cause community members to lose respect not only for you, but for the profession at large.
- 23Keep abreast of education policy and legislation.
- 24Constantly seek new subject knowledge and share this with your students. Take short courses to keep yourself mentally stimulated. Your renewed enthusiasm for your subject will be rewarded by increased student interest and enthusiasm for the subject itself.
- 25Simplify your lessons: Good teachers make it easy to understand complicated things. Use examples, models and colored pictures and fotographs. Teach in illustrations that your students can relate to.
- 26Keep your students attention. Teach your students why the knowledge you convey is important and how they can apply what they learn in their daily lives. Then they are more likely to remember what you teach.
Warnings
- As a teacher,and a professional, you are likely to be judged by your words and actions. At all times, in your interactions with children, parents and members of the public, practice self-restraint, self-control, and assertiveness in declaring that all you do, after all, is in the best interests of the children in your care.
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