Hi Shawn,
Great definition as well as supporting comments about your philosophy. I am sure your students are both inspired and motivated when working with you. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi Peter,
Dead on. Great advice for all instructors.
Gary
Hi Cheryl,
Excellent list that reflects professionalism of the highest degree. Your students are fortunate to have a model upon which the can rely as they develop their own professional persona.
Gary
GREAT! Lets get started then shall we?
I define my instructional professionalism as a delicate balance between encouragement, inspiration, and discipline. I embrace the philosphy that discipline, in the old Latin term, means "to teach." To teach by example, and to continuously emphasize the importance of my students striving to exceed my expectations.
Simple: Talk your talk, and walk your walk, but you better practice what you preach.
I would define it as presenting yourself as a professional (not losing one's cool, etc) and also motivating students to achieve your high level of standards themselves to advance the profession.
Since I teach in a culinary school, each day i ensure that I
1. am in full, clean, pressed chef uniform to set an example to all students
2. i make sure that my demonstration of the day is entirely prepped so I do not have to stop and interrupt the lesson by leaving to get an ingredient that I missed
3. go through each recipe step so the student will learn the procedure in a logical progression. It is in this way that they will learn to duplicate on their own.
4. watch the body language of the students - if they look confused, they probably are and I can address their questions
5. go over foreign terms to clarify
6. give handouts to enhance (and solidify) the class objective
Hi Larry,
Good examples all of what instructional professional can be when a dedicated instructor focuses on how to best meet the needs of students.
Gary
Hi Abdalla,
This is a great list of ways to illustrate one's professionalism. The more one can plan and share the greater the level of engagement by the learners.
Gary
To me instructional professionalism involves classroom standards, competencies demonstrated in a consistent and clear fashion and also creating an open and fair environment for learning and feedback
To me the Instructional professionalism amoung other things as follows:
a. The course content is up to date and appropriate.
b. The course content is taught in an approach that is acceptable to the discipline/department.
c. The materials used are pertinent to the course outline.
d. The class is taught at an appropriate level.
e. The pacing of the class is appropriate to the level and the material presented.
Hi Patricia,
Well said. Professionalism has to be a integral part of our being if we are going to be instructors of excellence.
Gary
I think professionalism in instruction is about doing the best job in defining content needed for a course, developing techniques to teach it, and evaluating if you have suceeded.
Really all aspects of the first module fall under this broad topic. for instance, I think it is unethical to not grade appropritley, or also to delay grading etc and not respond quickly to students need. Professionalisn in instruction could be a smaller or bigger piece of the pie. PAP
Thank you. I believe that teaching is a delicate balance of treating students equally but understanding that each person is an individual with individual learning needs, life situations and personal and educational backgrounds all of which greatly affect a persons ability to acquire knowledge.
Hi Kimberly,
Good definition. It reflects your philosophy of education and student development in a way that provides support and respect for students.
Gary
To me instructional professionalism is using the variety of tools that one has at their disposal, inclusive of their educational backgroud, professional experience in a field, personal experiences, and technical expertise to relay infromation in a way that suits not only groups but has enough flexibility to adjust to individual learning needs.
Hi Nancy,
Good definition. Your definition reflects what instructors need to strive for as they develop their instructional style.
Gary
I define Instructional Professionalism as the willingness and ability to model effective behaviors, develop and manage stimulating course content, and motivate others to succed; plus, I like to communicate with my class and have some fun while we're at it.
I try to go by the guiding principles of fair but firm. I also try to always instill a fun environment that is appropriately professional, since our classroom environment includes customers/guests. I also try to focus on the "spirit" of the rules, not the wording of the rules. And, in all cases, strive for consistency and predictability.
Hi Frank,
You have a very global grasp of what it means to have a professional attitude and focus on educating students. With your comprehensive plan I know your students are benefiting from your dedication.
Gary
