Angela,
You have such a great perspective on teaching since you use your skills with elementary students during the day and adults at night. Many of the same principles apply to both. I have found that adults are just taller children in many ways, such as wanting to be reinforced and rewarded. My adult students will work extremely hard to receive a piece of candy or have pizza day as a reward for their hard work and doing well on assignments. I am sure it is fun to teach both groups.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Instructional Professionalism is a combination of many things. It is the teacher's attitude, rapport with students, dress, knowledge of content, respect to students, etc. I teach full time at a public elementary school so therefore my instructional professionalism is a little different at the elementary school that it is at the technical college where I teach nights. I find that I can easily adapt between the two. My adult students want to be treated fairly and respected just as my elementary students do.
Thank you for the feedback!
Mary Ellen,
With the earning of respect the foundation is laid for the development of rapport. It is at this point teaching really starts to be fun because you have students that are engaged and focused on the course content and want to develop the skills needed for success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Professionalism includes respect - respect for myself to have achieved this role, and for my students to be present and eager to learn and improve themselves.
Emeline,
I think you have a very good grasp of what it takes to be a professional educator as evidenced by this list.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
John,
This is such an important part of career success. Students need to realize that good written and oral communication is needed if they are going to be perceived as professionals in their field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Honesty, integrity, and caring for student success is my own definition of instructional professionalism.
Good grammar is key to good instructional professionalism.
Olivirgin,
What are some ways that you get yourself ready for class?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You need to be well prepare for your class.
Lee-Ellen,
Well developed definition of instructional professionalism. This is what we should be about every time we interact with students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Instructional professionalism is demonstrating the passion one has for their field by being a professional everyday. It is being on time. It is being fair. It is being consistent. It is being creative and diverse when necessary. It is challenging the student on a learning level, not a personal level.
Cynthia,
You make a key point and that is to be yourself as an educator. We all have our strengths as well as our issued since we are human. Taking the attitude that you do you can bring humor into the situation as you search for your glasses and reflects well on you as a human being that cares about her students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with the posted qualities/strategies, and I would add that being your genuine self is also key. I don't worry if I misstep or lose my glasses (again), because that's who I am as a human being. I joke a bit, I am clumsy and I tend to leave my glasses lying around. Yet I know my stuff, am personable with the class, dress appropriately and am early to the clasroom all ready to go. I think that being ourselves shows students that it's ok to not be perfect. It takes some of the stress away, keeping the focus on the material.
Arnitra,
Good definition and one that will serve both you and your students well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I define it by being prepared to teach your content, being professional at all times, Delivering your message in ways to which all levels of students can understand the content.
Lucia,
All good components to include in the modeling of professionalism. Being a model of professionalism sets the tone for your course and how your students will see themselves as they develop their understanding of how to perform like professionals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Delivering the message in a way that students can understand is very important. Mannerism, presentation, and keeping the students interested in the subject is also important. Representing yourself as a professional is creating a positive atmosphere and a controlled classroom.
Jodi,
Yes, it is. This type of professional appearance and conduct sets the tone for the classes to come and gives your students an idea of how you are going to conduct the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
