The way we present in the classroom is so important. We cannot correct our students on their professionalism until we correct ours as instructors. There are also a variety of ways in which we present for example: We must dress professionally, speak well and behave with professionalism. Until we all do this as instructors only them can we expect this out of our students.
Darcey,
Each part of this process establishes a standard for your students to observe and then follow. You are displaying professionalism in numerous ways that will guide your students as they develop their own professional identity.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The classes I teach require a uniform so the first step in instructional professionalism is to have my uniform perfect. Next is making sure my classroom is set up completely before the students start to arrive. Then be a model of appropriate behavior and speech while maintaining an approachable tone and style.
Rebecca,
Right you are. What are suggestions you would make to instructors as they refine their professional approach to the classroom?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Instructional professionalism is demonstrated in every word you speak, every action you make, every reaction you have, and response you give while sharing your professional expertise.
Ron,
You have defined professionalism very well. These are the characteristics that an educator should have and model for his or her students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Defining Instructional Professionalism: I’m currently a blackboard instructor at Joint Special Operations University. I defined instructional professionalism as being self-confidence, desire to teach, and knowledge of subject, physical appearance and ability to communicate and also being that mentor.
Ron Giger
Sarah,
Good points and the two items, good attitude and listening are very valuable for an instructor to use. These two go a long way in helping to earn the respect of students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel that being a professional as a student's instructor will help to be a role model for them as they enter the workforce. Good attitude and a listening ear can go a long way in any field.
John,
All elements of being a professional educator and model. This is what instructors should be about as they work with students and serve as learning leaders.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Being Professional in my opinion is being on time and acting in an appropriate manner at all times. Students learn from and take their cues from the instructor. If the instructor appears uninterested in the material, the students pick up on this. The instructor also needs to dress in a professional manner and especially needs to arrive on class on time. The instructor should also be prepared to start the class at the appropriate time and not spend the first ten minutes of class time preparing for class.
Andrew,
This is an important part of the students educational process since they are preparing to work they need to have the soft skills needed to help them be successful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Conducting yourself as you would have your employees - set clear expectations of both yourself and of yor students.
Patricia,
Great definition of professionalism. This is what brings value to what we are doing as educators.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Professionalism is being a master at your skill and sharing the knowlege of that skill in an intellectual and human fashion. By this, I mean never losing sight of the human factor. Yes, appearance, organization, delivery and rapport must work hand in hand.
China,
Good definition of what a professional educator should be like.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Instructional professionalism is define to me as being on time, being prepared, and being able to teach something that you have a passion for, and showing studnets the postive way and not the negative way!
Lisa,
Good strategy to follow. Your comments are right on target in terms of reinforcing that we as instructors need to not only outline the behavior and conduct we want from out students and what is expected in the field we need to demonstrate it as well. By showing our students our expectations they then can start to develop an idea of how they should conduct themselves as professionals once they are in the field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Certainly image is part of our professionalism as it projects our desire to be successful in the classroom environment. Our professional competence is demonstrated in our ability to plan instructionally, deliver content and assess student learning. We should also reflect on how we are perceived by our students to determine if there are areas where we can improve.
The role of Professionalism is to show by example. I try and do that so that the students have a clear understanding of expectations once they are out in the field of choice. Being on time, being organized, presenting material in a orderly fashion, reviewing prior material and asking questions of each student throughout the course of class time. Keeping students on task at the very beginning will give them a strong sense of expectations right from the start once out of the classroom.
Lisa Johnstone
