Becoming a Professional Educator | Origin: EC101
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Your First Year as a CTE Teacher (Part 1) --> Becoming a Professional Educator
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
It is amazing to me that individuals need to be reminded that there should be seperation between personal and professional life. I find it very important that adults be the role models of correct behavior and actions. Students learn more by observing our actions verses the words that we share.
I learned that it is particularly important to set clear guidelines that dictate the relationship I have with my students and the parents of my students. Coming from a small town and school, I know most parents of my students on a personal basis. Many times I have known the parents since before any of us had kids. Now the relationship has to change when I am teaching their kids. Sometimes it is better, sometimes you almost need to stop being friends in order to maintain the proper amount of professional relationship in school.
Recognizing that I am coming from a professional career in business, but I'm essentially starting over in a new career as a CTE teacher is comforting. I'm excited for the opportunity to teach in the public schools, but switching over from a peer experience to a teacher/student relationship was creating some anxiety with the start of the school year right around the corner. We're all new at something, and knowing this makes me feel more comfortable with my learning process as a new teacher.
This portion of the course was a great reminder of those professional boundaries that we need to maintain as educators. We must be careful not to place ourselves in situations in which it appears that favoritism is being given to one student over another. In addition, our behavior can lead to allegations of violations if we are not careful.
My first year I learned about boundries and parents. It's always best to have professioanl boundries in place for that moment when you need to confront kids or disipline kids.
Maintaing a professional teacher student relationship throught the day. I have had to remind myself and think critically about how to progress as a role model in CTE while on my feet. This has taken considerable practice.
I think this section stresses the fact that boundries between students and teachers need to be set.
Reinforced what I already know about social media being very public. Also, setting firm and clear boundries. At my previous job before teaching I had to be available 24/7. So, I really didn't have any boundries. It's hard for me not to answer student emails on the weekend or in the evening. But, I don't.
I have always know that what I post can be visible by anyone at anytime. I am very conscious of what I share and never stray from being professional.
What resonated most for me was the quote about the teacher setting the tone and establishing the climate of the class and the tremendous responsibiity that comes in a career in which students' futures are at stake. I am all about creating a student-centered classroom, but the reality is that the teacher really is at the center in the design and implementation of the learning experiences, and therefore they must be have a clear vision about what it means to create a positive, nurturing, and dynamic classroom environment in which students feel respect and belonging. It is a tremendous responsibility, and it is far more important that the content of whatever course a teacher is teaching.
Understanding your role as a teacher goes beyond being a teacher. You are a role model rather you know it or not. I learned that my actions as a teacher can have an impact on students directly or indirectly and setting boundaries and a standard for myself will be a great benefit to my career and to our students.
This module hits the professionalism needed in the classroom and beyond. Keep the students as learners and me as a teacher.
It was a good reminder about social media and being professional but I really liked the comment " teaching is not about what you know but what the teacher enables others to do". I like the fact that it gives you and the student opportunities for a wide range of resources and it is ok to put some of it on the student.
The fine line of using todays technology as a tool to support students professional asperations should never be confused with personal asperations. Bring professionalism to class every day shows consistency of ethic.
Being very new to teaching, being the students best friend jumped out at me. I have work in teams my whole life and now being the educator is a whole new world to me. I really need to undrstand that I am the educator and not your best friend.
I LOVED having access to the Acronym Dictionaries!! So helpful!
The module reinforced the importance of living a life of integrity - and how that may be defined differently by individuals. I also love the concept of boundaries in the classroom as a positive, healthy management system.
Social media is really a double edged sword, can be used to promote our programs, but also opens us up to scrutiny.
Professionalism in the classroom is paramount. Maintaining the position of authority lends to student success.
