Professional

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Professionalism in the realm of academia means to conduct oneself in a manner that is responsible and mature. Yet figuring out what these two terms entail can be rather difficult. What exactly does it mean to be mature, without being boring or lacking childlike creativity? What does it mean to be responsible, while acknowledging that individuals make mistakes?

Professionalism, in the case of teaching, may come to signify personal growth. It means learning what is called upon from the individual with respect to the community, school, and classroom. It means using what we know to enhance areas that we do not know as well. It means being honest with ourselves when we reflect on where our strengths and weaknesses lie.

I have included my Standards Project as a prime example of professionalism, because in the body of the project I acknowledge my areas of strength and areas of weakness. I am able to honestly assess myself according to a rubric. The Standards Project also enables me to see where school materials can be applied to the “real world,” the professional world that students themselves will encounter when they graduate. Thus the State Standards have enabled me to see that the focus in a classroom environment should not be solely on getting as much material covered as possible; it should be about enhancing the professionalism of students, and preparing them to apply their knowledge to the world at large.

I have also included my Admissions Letter. In the letter, I am told what materials are needed in order for me to progress with the program. The letter also states my endorsement, English Language Arts, which will enable me to teach at the secondary level.

Additionally, I have included lesson plans from both the Water Cycle project and my individual teaching unit on Figurative Language. These lesson plans exemplify professionalism in that they keep the teaching materials to be used in an organized fashion. The plans also enable me to see how I could teach the material, and where my lesson plans could use some improvement. I have also included my teaching video, which shows me teaching these lessons and reflecting on my strengths and weaknesses in conducting the lessons. Making the video has enabled me to be reflective, analyze my own teaching skills, and be creative and organized with the way I discuss my own teaching. Being organized and thorough in my teaching will be two needed skills that will help me in the future.

Observing teaching at Choice Alternative High School has allowed me to see a professional at work. Sue Barnard, my mentor teacher, often discusses with me aspects of teaching she herself has encountered in her many years of teaching. As a professional, Sue acknowledges that there is much work to do each day as far as grading and lesson planning go. She further uses her teaching to build relationships with the students. Observing Sue’s classes has helped me to see how Sue engages the students and uses the classroom and community to build her lessons and her relationships. The field evidence should demonstrate the ways and materials that Sue teaches, but should also delve into my own observations of how Choice is a unique and innovative learning environment for student. Students do not just learn material; they learn what it means to be a part of a collaborative learning group.

Finally, my Learning Analyses demonstrate the ways in which I incorporate learning into my own life. I am frequently called upon to reflect on what I have learned and how it relates to my own life. One learning analysis has me reflect on how my definition of learning has changed between the first week of the quarter and the most recent week, by having me re-read my paper on my learning experiences. The other learning analysis has me reflect on learning theories posed by Piaget and Vygotsky, and in the analysis I find myself wondering what happens when no learning occurs.

As I progressed throughout the quarter, I learned more and more what it means to be a professional. Completing the work and turning it in on time can be signs of professionalism, and yet I feel there are areas in which I can improve as a professional. I still have not taught in a classroom environment. I still have not experienced creating lesson plans for every day of the academic year. I still have a lot of experience to gain from being both a student in this program and a member of the Choice High School learning community. My job as a professional is just beginning.