Transcript
Page 1: EXCERPT - Engage for Excellence - Inspiring Your Learning Community of Professional Educators

Inspiring a Community of

Professional EducatorsKeepers of the Flame

Learning… Linking… Leading

Presenter: Jacqueline Ledgister-Bethell©2005

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Objectives:Examine:a. Examine the historical and contemporary perspectives on

the term “professional”.b. Discuss what qualifies educators to be called professionals

(instead of semi-professionals as is sometimes the perception).

c. Explain the aims of education & the role of educators in society as “Keepers of the Flame”.

d. Describe five quality standards of the education professional and give examples

5. Distinguish between the behaviors of an "education worker" and an "education professional"

6. Describe strategies to move the Education Professional from average ...to exceptional! AND…

7. Brag about & exemplify this noble profession!

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Historical Perspectives of a “Professional”Original meaning of a

“professional” was one who had made a vow or public declarationIn 16th century it meant “client”Term was then used to refer to lawyers and priestsTo become a professional, the incumbent was required to attend institution of higher learning to acquire specialized knowledge & skills to meet needs of clients

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Contemporary Perspectives of a

“Profession”American Institution of School Administrators (1960): a profession differs from other vocations, in that it has a body of knowledge known & practised by members. This knowledge is intellectual & acquired through formal learning. Specializations which require manual skills (dentistry, architecture, engineering) were included due to high degree of theoretical-based learning.

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Contemporary Perspectives cont’d

P.W Musgrave (1974): close relationship between practitioner & client which stems from (a) the practitioner’s special knowledge which is used to service the client & (b) the client’s level of confidence in the practitioner’s status and abilities.Commonwealth Professional Societies Association (1975): main criterion is academic qualification and appropriate training

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Who

Then

Is A

Professional?

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A Professional:

Is guided by institutions and organizations which establish: (a) entry requirements & educational standard for its incoming practitioners, (b) standards of professionalism & conditions of service (c) system of rewards for professional competence (d) professional associations which develop a Code of EthicsIs guided by Legal Code of Regulations or Laws

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A Teacher IS a Professional

Teachers are required to have expert knowledge and specialized skills acquired and maintained through rigorous and continuing studiesTeachers cultivate a strong professional-client relationship with students

Teachers execute critical social responsibility & public duty to educate generationsTeachers are called to have a sense of personal responsibility for welfare of studentsTeachers are governed legally and by Code of Ethics

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Why the Stereoptypes & 2nd Class Status?

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The Realities Facing the Education Profession

Historical StereotypesSalary Working conditions TrainingUse of teachers’ time for non-teaching activitiesRegulations for establishment of new schools

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We Can Shatter the Stereotypes

•Understand the Aims of Education

•Understand the Roles of The Education Professional

•Commit to being an Outstanding Education

Professional

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Understanding the Aims of Education

O’Connor in Schofield (1972):

1. To provide learner with maximum skills necessary to take his/her place in society and to seek further knowledge

2. To provide learner with vocational training for self-support

3. To arouse interest in and a taste for knowledge4. To make the learner critical and creative5. To expose learner and train him/her to

appreciate the cultural and moral achievements of mankind.

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Understanding the Roles of the Education

ProfessionalFacilitating Role

1. Creation of stimulating learning environment

2. Motivation of students

3. Control of students

Functional Role1. Instruction2. Evaluation3. Socialization

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Standards for the Education ProfessionalPossesses great verbal ability: studies confirm that students taught by teachers with greater verbal ability learn more than those taught by teachers with lower verbal abilityAcquires Educational Preparation and Certification: Studies show that teachers with formal training in education are better able to discern student needs and provide for the different learners in a classroom. These teaches stay current with trends in the field by reading extensively and doing professional upgradesHas strong Content Knowledge: This teacher goes beyond the prescribed text & is more skillful at involving students in discussions & activities. Lesson planning is easier.

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Standards for the Education Professional…

Teaching Experience: uses real-life situations and can improvise wellDemonstrates an excitement & love for learning and conveys this to his/her studentsCaring: Listens, knows & understands students. Loves students unconditionally, always looking for the positives & communicates with parents regularlyTreats students with fairness & respect: students can expect teachers to treat them as people, avoid ridiculing, practise racial and gender fairness and provide opportunities for all to participateIs friendly & personable: interacts with students outside of classroom while maintaining appropriate authority; demonstrates a sense of humor

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Standards for the Education Professional…

Is an Effective Classroom Manager: (a)demonstrates smooth transitions through lessons (b) anticipates potential problem and plans for them (c) sets & reinforces clear performance expectations (d) uses both positive & negative discipline (e)maximizes instructional time (f) uses a variety of instructional techniques and assessment techniquesIs Committed to the Teaching Profession: (a) commands respect with speech and attire (b)invests in own learning and evaluates own teaching processes; asks the advice of other teachers (c) understands the biblical basis for education and will integrate this into teaching and (d)sets clear goals

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Goal Setting for the Education Professional

The S. M. A. R. T Approach

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SpecificMeasurableAction-orientedRealisticTime and Resource-Constrained

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The Outstanding Education Professional

Seeks to influence the profession by using the established channels to participate in the decision-making process at the school level as well as to steer national policyFosters collegiality – exchanges information with peersCommits to being a life learner

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What Do We Want from Life?

We can be workers or … leaders.

We can have a job or … a career.

We can be teachers or … education professionals.

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Worker or Professional?Worker Preoccupied with

spending the least time; earning most $

Takes a job to pay the bills

A laborer with a skill

Professional Spends time to

enhance him/herself and environment

Makes a lifetime of pursuing a career

A leader with talent who thinks, makes decisions and solves problems

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Let’s Choose To Be A Professional Educator

Strive for accomplishment and avoid the “woe is me” modeInvest in ourselves:(a) read professionally (b) attend conferences (c) share - conduct a workshop (d) join or organize a peer coaching group (e) observe other effective teachers (f) welcome evaluationsDevelop a Career Risk Plan

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ConclusionBy now we should be able to:

Recognize the characteristics of a ProfessionalSay why an educator IS a ProfessionalIdentify challenges in the Education professionExplain the aims of Education and Define the roles of Educators in fulfilling these aimsIdentify the characteristics of an Outstanding Education ProfessionalTalk about the joys of this noble calling!

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Resources and Themes to Explore

BOOKS:1. The First Days of School by

Harry & Rosemary Wong2. Totally Positive Teaching by

Joseph Ciaccio3. Classroom Instruction that

Works by Robert J. Marzano et al

4. The Differentiated Classroom by Carol Ann Tomlinson

5. Awakening Genius in the Classroom by Thomas Armstrong

6. 1st-Year Teacher’s Survival Kit by Julia J. Thompson

7. Teaching Kids with Learning Difficulties in the Regular Classroom by Susan Winebrenner

JOURNALS• Education Leadership • TeacherTHEMES Social & Emotional Learning Curriculum Mapping Teaching Boys vs. Girls How Learning Changes the Brain Teaching Vocabulary


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