Professional Documents
Culture Documents
educational training, the purpose of which is to supply objective counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain. Definition of a profession While there is no agreed definition of a profession, the Australian Council of Professions (Professions Australia) defines a profession as: 'A disciplined group of individuals who adhere to high ethical standards and uphold themselves to, and are accepted by, the public as possessing special knowledge and skills in a widely recognised, organised body of learning derived from education and training at a high level, and who are prepared to exercise this knowledge and these skills in the interest of others. Goodson (2003) noted that Occupations that have attained professional status share the following characteristics: A high level of education and training based on a unique and
specialized body of knowledge. A strong ideal of public service with an enforced professional code of
conduct and high levels of respect from the public at large. Registration and regulation by the profession itself Trusted to act in the clients best interests within a framework of
practical training.
It sets up its own professional organization. It assures its members a professional career. It has a truth and loyalty. It has a transparency of work. It gives instantaneous results.
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TEACHING PROFESSION It has well said that "teaching" mean "causing to learn". Nothing has been given until it has been taken; nothing has been thought until it has been learnt. Teaching is more than the efficient delivery of thoroughly prepared lectures, and a clear realization of this simple fact will have many beginners in the art of teaching from much disappointment. Knowledge of how children learn is the first essential for success in teaching and that is why teaching at present is considered as a profession. Let us not forget that teaching is a noble profession which counts amongst its members the greatest and noblest figures of human history. All the great religious leaders and reformers of the ages were teachers of mankind in the truest sense of the word. Teachers of our age, too, can work as the architects of a better future for the race if they follow their examples and try to achieve happiness, not by concentrating on petty and selfish interests but by serving some cause greater than themselves, the cause of building up a better type of human being and a better social order than that in which it has been their lot to live. Are our teachers prepared to accept this challenge and equip themselves for the great task?
teachers are entitled to the following rights and must accept the corresponding responsibilities. 1. Teachers have the right to base diagnosis, planning, methodology and evaluation
on professional knowledge and skills, and have the responsibility to review constantly their own level of competence and effectiveness and to seek necessary improvements as part of a continuing process of professional development. 2. Teachers have the right to expect standards of pupil behavior necessary for
maintaining an optimal learning environment and have the responsibility to use reasonable methods to achieve such standards. 3. Teachers have the right to a voice in all decisions of a professional nature which
affect them and have the responsibility to seek the most effective means of consultation and of collaboration with their professional colleagues.
conducive to teaching and learning, and have the responsibility to assess conditions encountered and to seek improvement of unacceptable conditions. 6. Teachers have the right to a reasonable allotment of resources, materials and
services of support staff and have the responsibility to use them in an efficient manner. 7. Teachers have the right to fair and reasonable evaluation of professional
performance and have the responsibility to give sincere consideration to any suggestions for improvement. 8. Teachers have the right to protest and in extreme cases to refuse the assignment of
teaching duties when they believe their qualifications and experience will not provide adequate service and safety to pupils and have the responsibility to consider any special circumstances under which the duties were assigned. 9. Teachers have the right to be protected against discrimination on the basis of
prejudice as to race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical characteristics, disability, marital status, family status, age, ancestry, place of origin, place of residence, socioeconomic background or linguistic background and have the responsibility to refrain from practising these forms of discrimination in their professional duties. 10. Teachers, collectively and collegially, have the right to:
a) be members of the organization representing their professional, economic and contractual concerns b) Serve the organization and be represented by it. c) Adhere to and to expect other members to adhere to the organization's code of professional conduct. d) Have a voice in determining criteria and procedures for the evaluation of professional performance of teachers. e) be protected under provisions outlined in contracts of employment with the employer.
To be a teacher out of choice, and not by default. To acquire relevant professional education and training to get the right concepts of teaching.
Honesty and sincerity towards the profession. Accept that being a teacher does not make you a 'know-it-all'; so it's important to become a partner in the learning cycle with the students.
Accept that no two students will think, act and react alike, and respect that diversity.
Upgrade knowledge and learn new ways of teaching. Avoid indulging in unethical behavior, and at all times maintain the dignity of a teacher-student relationship.
TOWARDS STUDENTS
Inculcate model behavior and mannerisms by self example. Prepare long-term teaching programs and daily lessons in accordance with the guidelines of the school's education system.
Provide activities and materials that engage and challenge the students intellectually.
Understand and implement the use of information technology in lesson preparation and teaching.
Shift between formal and informal methods of teaching, like debates, discussions, practical activities, experiments, projects and excursions.
Plan, set and evaluate grade test, exams and assignments. Supervise student conduct during class, lunchtime and other breaks. Understand the diverse background students come from, their strengths, weaknesses and areas of interest.
Enforce discipline by firmly setting classroom rules. Resolve conflict among students by encouraging positive debate. Be ready to adjust teaching styles to meet individual needs of students.
TOWARDS PARENTS
Keep parents well-informed about their ward's progress. Take time out to discuss an issue, or a problematic behavior. Encourage parents to promote various diverse interests of their children. Inform parents about after-school activities like excursions, meetings, as well as detention.
Keep the parent feedback journal updated. Encourage parent participation in parent-teacher meets. Finally, work with parents for the betterment of their child's future.
TOWARDS MANAGEMENT
Voluntarily participate in organizing sporting events, and other excursions like camping trips, picnics, educational tours, etc.
Maintain a healthy relationship with all teaching and non-teaching staff members.
Help out in formulating school policies. Carry out administrative duties relevant to your position in the school.
In an emerging world, responsibilities of an educator have increased several folds. From being a person who just imparts bookish knowledge, an educator now has the power to shape a better world for the students and empower them with knowledge to take on the world! MORE
Teachers need to impart knowledge of their subject matter to students. This goes beyond simply stating the knowledge that they have gained through their own education. Instead, teachers must possess an aptitude to teach the material through different methods based on the needs of the students. Many teachers who are finishing up their degree do not see much more than this as their main responsibility. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
abilities within the same classroom. Even though many teachers would like to be able to teach a class of students with similar background knowledge and motivation, this rarely if ever happens. Therefore, teachers have the responsibility to vary instruction and enable all students an opportunity to learn.
to make numerous decisions everyday. A good decision making ability grounded in common sense will lead to a more successful teaching experience. But more importantly, teachers who do not use their common sense and make judgment errors are more likely to create difficulties for themselves and the profession. Pick up any newspaper across the nation, and you will read about a teacher who made a stupid decision causing them their job and the profession of teaching an embarrassing situation.
the classroom. Believe it or not, this is somewhat of a controversial statement as there are teachers who do not believe that their private life at all impacts their professional life. However, a teacher who sidelines as a porn star and whose films are available on the internet will soon see their private life ruin their ability to teach. Students will find out about activities like this and any moral authority will be lost.
and daily procedures in place, the job of teaching not only becomes more difficult but the teacher themselves could also be in professional jeopardy. If a teacher
especially true when dealing with students who have learning disabilities. Personal information is deemed to be private. Teachers can not only get into professional problems by being indiscreet but can also lose the respect of their students which will ultimately affect their learning. It is not unreasonable to expect teachers to meet their professional obligations and responsibilities. Every career has its own level of responsibility. For example, doctors, lawyers, and other professionals have many similar responsibilities along with many others like patient and client privacy. The level of responsibility is commensurate with the amount of influence the professional teacher, doctor, lawyer, etc. have. If you expect to influence children and help them achieve their full potential, you must be a responsible adult who models excellent behavior for them. In conclusion, the following quote seems quite appropriate. It is from a book by Chauncey P. ColeGrove called The Teacher and the School. It was written in 1910, but the words still ring true today: No one can justly expect that all teachers, or any teacher, shall endlessly patient, free from mistakes, always perfectly just, a miracle of good temper, unfailingly tactful, and unerring in knowledge. But people have a right to expect that all teachers shall have fairly accurate scholarship, some professional training, average mental ability, moral character, some aptness to teach, and that they shall covet earnestly the best gifts. A TEACHER MUST: 1 Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils establish a safe and stimulating environment for pupils, rooted in mutual respect
First is patience. You are dealing with kids and not-so-little kids so patience, as they say, is a virtue that you must possess. Get a positive attitude. Always remember that you are dealing with people who want or need to learn. They need as much motivation as they can get from you. If you can't be positive for their sake, your students will feel down and unmotivated. A timely sense of humor is also
AIM
SAP aims to enhance the standards of science education in the country and to broaden the concept of science educators, to better prepare them to face the challenges of the 21st century
2. SHORT COURSES
SAP organizes short courses on contemporary topics for teachers at AKU-IED. The duration of the courses is from two to six days.
3. MAJOR EVENTS
1. SAP Symposium/Seminars: SAP celebrates its anniversary in the month of October by organizing symposiums, seminars, and conference. 2. Science Olympiad: SAP Science Olympiad is an event which provides children an opportunity to experience science through innovative science teaching and learning approaches. It involves activities such as quiz, puzzles, problem solving, poster making, construction tasks, etc.
4.SCHOOL-BASED ACTIVITIES
To further facilitate the implementation of effective teaching- learning strategies in the science classroom, SAP conducts model lessons in the science classrooms in different school contexts on request.
6.
SAP has been involved in reviewing and translating the Science text books of Sindh Text Book Board.
7. MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT:
SAP focuses on the development of materials such as workshop package, activity sheets, lesson plans, etc. SAP was also involved in development of assessment units for AKU-EB.
8. SAP PUBLICATIONS:
To disseminate relevant knowledge and contemporary notions in science education To a wider community, SAP regularly publishes newsletter biannually. Other publications include teachers guides, handbooks, and booklets having innovative science activities. SAP FUTURE PLANS Classroom Based Research
Teacher development courses. Two hour academic session every month. International conference every year. Networking of teachers worldwide through courses and conferences. Publication of the journal SPELT Quarterly.
International conference This conference will provide a forum for teachers to understand and link teaching theories and practices in the classroom. It wills an excellent opportunity to see theory and practice as two sides of the same coin and to network. Papers, presentations and workshops will cover themes of classroom practices, learnercentered approach, research in language teaching/learning and the relationship between language teaching and language learning.