Hi Angel,
Great way of expressing what professionalism is both in and outside of the classroom. We are models of our profession at all times so we need to remember this in relation to how we conduct ourselves in our communities.
Gary
Instructional Professionalism is in every aspect how you carry yourself both in and out of the classroom. In the classroom you must be organized, presentable, knowledgeable and fair. Outside the classroom you must take an active role in the community in representing yourself in your profession and including the college you are employed by.
Hi Marshall,
Great description of what instructional professionalism is all about. Yes, we do set the bar for our students and we need to make sure that the bar is set high because we may be the only professional from their field they will get to know before entering the field. We want them to have a positive role model to follow.
Gary
Hi Roger,
I like your comments about professionalism. The one that really stands out to me is the related to the need to continually assess your professionalism and make changes as necessary. This helps you to remain at the top of your game throughout your teaching career.
Gary
Hi James,
I think it is a good one. You are presenting yourself as a professional that knows how to communicate what you know to those that are willing to learn.
Gary
My definition of instructional professionalism is knowing and understanding the class content, presenting it in a way for all students to gain the highest level of knowledge, and being respectful of your students at all times. I strive to meet these areas of professionalism at all times. The most important point to professionalism is when you fall short, learn from your mistakes and use the newly gained knowledge from the experience the next time you find yourself in the same predicament. In short, professionalism is experience,education, knowledge, and attitude.
It is delivering the information needed to meet the specific objectives as defined. You must do the research or/and the study to be knowledgable in the subject matter. You must act as a professional at all times, not a pal. You must understand the importance of feedback to evaluate understanding and progress. Lastly, you must model professional behavior in your appearance and consistency in your governing strategies.
I would define instructional professionalism, as the maintenance of one's positive personal image in addition to the image of that as a professional practicing in their chosen field. Many times individuals who teach in some capacity forget that students not only see your "professional persona" but also your "personal persona". There are certain standards against which you are measured in your field of practice, and there are those against which you are measured as a member of the community at large. Being a productive, respectful, prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable in both fields will ensure that your students only emulate your best qualities, and with time, training, and encouragement, learn to move away from those habits and traits which they have learned that could possibly damage either/both of their “professional” or “personal” personas. We as instructors do not have to be perfect, but we do have to set the bar against which the student’s abilities and conduct will be measured, and it is because of this responsibility we have as their learning facilitators that we must endeavor to show only those traits, habits, and conduct, which are becoming of an up-and-coming professional in our field.
I define instructional professionalism as modeling character traits conducive to being a professional, skills and knowledge that are reflective of up-to-date current scientific research as well as what is usual and customary for the profession and lastly physically presenting myself dressed according to what is required of my profession in reference to jewelry, shoes, cleanliness,etc.
I define Instructional Professionalism to the key fact of how an instructor present himself/herself and the subject ares discussed effectively delivered to others.
As you already know, Instructional professionalism is a broad topic. It encompasses, manner of dress, demeanor, preparedness, dedication, insight, and much more. Conservative is key, but only to an extent, you don't want to appear boring. I believe that an instructor needs to continually assess, and make changes from experiences and mistakes to improve. In sum, instructor professionalism is an ever changing, striving to improve image that students, peers, and other professionals see you as.
The manner in which you present yourself and incorporate your background into your courses would be my definition of instructional professionalism.
Instructional Professionalism: Preparation, knowledge of subject area, and being prepared for the adversity in the class room.
Being prepared and on time are extremely important. Incorporating my 40 years of experience into the curriculum helps the students understand the relevance of the material to actually performing their duties and the need to perform them well.
Hi Thomas,
These may seem like little things but they really are very big in the growth of the students. They get to see what a professional should be like.
Gary
Hi April,
Key point and thanks for making it. We need to look at ourselves and think about how students see us. Are we being the professional models we need to be to reflect the high standards of our field?
The answer has to be "yes" for the sake of the students.
Gary
Hi Roger,
Good points about being a good role model. You may be the first person that the students have know on a consistent basis that has worked in the field that they are preparing to enter. You are the standard they are using to measure how they should conduct themselves. It is a big responsibility and one that we need to always keep in our minds.
Gary
I would define instructional professionalism as the power to be proficient in all the three areas of the instructional process which includes technical competence, professional competence and personal competence. In order to accomplish this expertise one must be knowledgeable of both the “soft skills” and the “hard skills” of technical applications; have the ability to plan, convey and evaluate instruction effectively; and be able to inspire and cultivate their student’s learning experience by the ability to develop rapport with them.
I dress professionally, am always on time in fact always early so I can meet with students that may have questions,and I come to class prepared.
I think how I present myself to students gives them an example of how they should behave. I need to dress appropriately, conduct myself with integrity, and respect them in order for them to learn those skills needed to further their careers when they leave the school.
