Sergiovanni's Professionalism Blog

Sergiovanni's Four Commitments to Professionalism:

*Commitment to Caring

*Commitment to Practice in Exemplary Ways

*Commitment to One's Own Practice, but also to the Practice Itself

*Commitment to Valued Social Ends

I unfortunately missed this discussion in class but I researched it and found lots of articles involving Sergiovanni's Commitments and Transformational Leadership.  What I took away from my readings is that in order to encourage professionalism in teachers they need to feel involved and that the authority and responsibilities of the school need to be distributed.  I think that we need to take on some of this responsibility ourselves as teachers and get involved with all aspects of the school we teach in.  I know that I will try to show my students, parents, colleagues, community, etc that I am happy to be part of the team and that I am willing to do any of the work that needs to be done to make our team successful.  I will also do my part as a professional to stay abreast of the newest findings in my field.  This will require attending professional development sessions, networking with colleagues, and personal research. I think that continual improvement, caring, and involvement are key and that my students, school and community deserve that. To be a professional I need to bring all of those components Sergiovanni outlines to the position I hold.

MTS Code of Professional Practice Blog

The Manitoba Teachers' Society Code of Professional Practice is the standard by which we as teachers must meet.  It outlines thirteen codes of conduct that we as teachers can refer to and to which parents and society can assume that we will uphold.

I think that it is always good to have a clear code that people can refer to and be expected to follow.  We often assume that people will use their common sense but that is not always the case and everyone has a different idea of where common sense will lead them.  The biggest code that I think I need to keep in mind as a new teacher and all new teachers out there should keep utmost in their mind, is the very first one where it states that; "A teacher's first professional responsibility is to her or his students."  I believe we all have those feelings of inadequacy when we are the new kids on the block and we can often allow ourselves to be swayed by those that have been teaching for years, parents, etc. Or we just don't feel confidant enough to make any waves so we disregard our own good sense.  I think that if I keep that first statement in mind I will be off to a great start and really that is what it is all about.  We can't really go wrong if our students are always our top priority in our decision making process. 

Why Teach

Why teach??  That is a good question to which I usually answer because it is what I have always wanted to do.  I have mentioned in another blog that I had an inspiring teacher and she started me looking at the career of teaching but I went on never losing that desire to teach.  I sincerely want to have a class of young minds that I get to inspire and teach and feel the rewards of figuring out.  You know finding a new way of getting them excited about a subject, watching them glow when they know they have done a good job, or simple just the smile they greet you with because they are happy to be in your class spending the day with you. 
My first role student teaching reaffirmed this for me as I think I made a small impact on a few children and some of the children that I thought could care less that I was there gave me the biggest most intense hugs when I left.  I loved that some of them came to me with issues that they wanted my help with and trusted me enough to feel that I had the ability to help them.  That is a very powerful thing; that faith that they have in our abilities.  I don't take that lightly and I want their faith in me to be well deserved.  Sure, teaching has it's drawbacks but the good definitely by far outweighs any negatives.  I am very excited to be able to say "I am a teacher."  I look forward to that day and my first class in my very own classroom.  I will not take the role lightly or for granted.  I want to be some child's, no many children's favourite teacher!!!

Professional vs Subject Knowledge

This was a very interesting topic that I thought would have more of a split point of view.  I was surprised that we all thought that professional knowledge held a bit more importance for us but I totally agree with that finding.  I am a firm believer that it takes a certain kind of person to teach.  I know some people that are very informed and skilled in their perspective subjects but they would not be able to inspire or impart any of this knowledge to another person very easily.  So, I think they would not be very successful teachers as they cannot teach.  There have been a few times in my life when more than one person has attempted to teach a person something and then someone else will come along and explain it in a different way and the learner will throw their hands up and say "Oh, now I get it."  They will then turn to their first teachers and say "why didn't you just say it like that?"  Some people know how to break things down in to explainable parts and some people just know stuff.  I have had my fair share of professors that were brilliant and they taught me very little.  I had to do a lot of the learning on my own after sitting in their class with my mouth hanging open thinking I was the only one not understanding this very accredited brilliant teacher.  I was usually not the only one!  When I am a teacher I will definitely ask for feedback and constantly check in with my students to assess their understanding of my lessons as I want to be brilliant but also effective and understood!

Fish Philosophy

What can I say about this philosophy other than I love it!  The Fish Philosophy is nothing ground breaking or highly original but it is essential and so many people forget it.  I found the video very refreshing.  They had real people doing a job that most would find hard, tiring, and mundane and they were doing it well, with a smile on their face, and a kind word ready for all they came in contact with.  I eagerly showed it to the staff at the daycare where I work in hopes that it would inspire them as well.  I don't know that it will because I think each person has to make a choice to follow this philosophy just as they choose to pick their attitude every day they get up.  I will however keep showing this video in hopes that it will make a difference and encourage its components every day by setting the example myself and complimenting those that choose to play, choose their attitude, make a persons' day, and be there.  Such simple ideas that so many have a hard time following.  Sadly, if they could they would I think be happier for it.  Fishmongers you are inspiring!!!

Favourite Teacher Blog

Let me preface this by saying I just created this blog so I certainly hope this works and I did this right.  I am just learning about this blogging creation.

When we started discussing our favourite teachers my favourite teacher easily sprang to my mind.  I shared with my classmates that my favourite teacher had the qualities of caring, humour, kindness, skill, patience, and compassion, to name just a few.  She seemed to love her job and her students and always made me feel very important to her.  I was impressed by her and inspired to be a teacher by knowing her.  She was truly a great teacher.
I intend on being a teacher like her and hope that I will inspire my students as she did me and so many others.  I believe in order to do this I must present myself in a professional prepared manner but at the same time allow my students to get to know me as a person; flaws and all.  I think it is important to be able to relate to your teacher in some manner and I want to know the children I teach in a more personal in depth manner.  This not only will help to create that much needed bond but will also help me to know how to teach to each of their unique abilities.  Some of the ways I hope to do this is to keep my classroom welcoming and fun.  I will have time everyday for sharing and give everyone a chance to be heard.  In essence, I won't be the only one talking or teaching.  I hope to always stay on the edge of what is new and exciting in learning and inspire my students with this knowledge as well as coming up with some unique ideas of my own.  All in all I want my students to feel that we are on a journey together and that we will have some fun and all be successful along the way!