PROFESSIONALISM for Pre-Service Teachers

1. PROFESSIONALISM forPre-Service Teachers College of Education

2. Teaching is a profession….. …therefore, candidates are expected to display appropriate and professional behavior, appearance, and dispositions.

3. Montana Professional Standards Professional Dispositions: Candidates for all professional roles should develop and demonstrate dispositions that are expected for educators, demonstrating ethical behaviors and attitudes of a professional educator,and communicating with students, communities, and colleagues effectively. State of Montana Administrative Rule 10.58.304 Candidates preparing to work in schools as teachers or other professional school personnel know and demonstrate the content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to help all students learn….and….meet professional, state, and institutional standards.

4. Dispositions • The values, commitments, and professional ethics that influence behaviors toward students, families, colleagues and communities that affect student learning, motivation, and development as well as the educator’s own professional growth, guided by beliefs and attitudes related to global values such as: • caring • fairness • honesty • responsibility • social justice • etc.

5. Attendance and punctuality Self-initiative & independence Reliability and dependability Desire to improve Appropriate response to feedback & supervision Critical thinking skills Collegiality Adequate & appropriate oral grammar & speaking skills Adequate & appropriate written grammar & writing skills Commitment to the teaching profession. Professional ethics and demeanor Professional Dispositions

6. Developing skills of personal responsibility for… professional development and learning “behavior” & attitudes successes & achievements failures & mistakes Professional Dispositions • Developing the professional maturity to • apologize • make amends • celebrate other’s successes even if you have failed • conduct professional reflection if you have failed, ….and try again!

7. Professional Conduct for Pre-Service Teachers

8. Arrive on time, stay the full period and/or time commitment. • Pre-arrange any absence from your Field Experience or notify your Mentor Teacher and University Supervisor immediately if it is an “emergency” absence. • Always have classroom & materials prepared and organized. • Do not bring your children to your school (unless, of course, they attend there). Make alternative arrangements for before and after school care. They should not be in your classroom.

9. Consistently demonstrate professional writing skills. • All writing will be evaluated as if you were a professional educator in a public or private classroom. Neatness, spelling, grammar, penmanship, citation and referencing counts! • Home/school written communications • School communications • Writing “on the board” • Etc. • Consistently demonstrate professional oral language skills. • Appropriate language, tone of voice, etc. is expected. Avoid: • cursing/swearing or use of objectionable words • derogatory jokes, remarks, etc. • racist, sexist, demeaning “slurs”, remarks, or jokes • personal remarks about religious or political views to students • personal remarks about students and staff • argumentative or aggressive verbal tones • Incorrect grammar and usage (a common reason why beginning teachers don’t get jobs!!!)

10. Always be respectful of classmates, colleagues, mentors, supervisors, staff and P-12 students. • Respect staff and administration’s practices, beliefs, classroom management, instructional styles, etc. • Set aside magazines, materials & “stuff”, laptop games, “chit-chat” , etc. during in-services, workshops, meetings, etc. • Consistently demonstrate professional social skills. • CAUTION: the “teacher lounge trap” ~ don’t gossip! • Maintain confidentiality of students and staff. • Avoid using specific names of staff, students, and locations except with university supervisor, the Director of CAFÉ, and college and/or school faculty and administrators. • NEVER discuss anything about a student outside of appropriate professional settings.

11. There are legal penalties for a breach of confidentiality. You will be personally liable for all legal actions and penalties and you will fail student teaching if any allegations are substantiated.

12. Use extreme caution with ANY personal medication(s). Inform yourself of the school’s policy. • Smoking, smokeless tobacco, illegal drugs and alcohol are not allowed on school property. • College students working in any field experience site are PROHIBITED from distribution or dispensing of tobacco products, drugs (illegal or legal), or alcohol on site, or away from the site with students or clients, in accordance with related state and federal laws. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE TOBACCO, ALCOHOL AND DRUG REGULATIONS WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE FIELD EXPERIENCE.

13. You are a GUEST in your school–please avoid: • Casual blue jeans (except on sanctioned “dress down days”) • Mini and low-rise skirts • Crop tops, low cut tops, or spaghetti straps • T-Shirts with logos/words (other than school sanctioned) • Low-cut pants and “baggy britches” • Overly tight-fitting clothing • Strong scented perfumes, aftershaves, tobacco odor, etc. • “Spiky-high fashion” shoes or “flip-flops” • Baseball-style caps • Obvious body piercings or tattoos – minimize, remove, or cover - and - check on the school’s policy. • Gum, food, tongue studs (remove them for the school day!). because of effect on oral speech enunciation. • Cell phone and pager usage during class time

14. YES! • Dress conservatively • Shirts with collars • Guys: ties optional (observe male staff or ask!) • Khakis, slacks, “Docker” style pants, etc. • Comfortable skirts & dresses • Socks • “Leather-like” shoes that are comfortable • Be practical and professional – life in P-12 settings can be hard on clothing and shoes – don’t wear anything you don’t want damaged! This is not the time or place for a “fashion show”! • Do the “mirror test”. Bend over, stretch, lean down, and kneel – if you see skin where you shouldn’t don’t wear it to school. A good “rule of thumb” – collarbone to top of knee cap should be covered.

15. Professional Conduct • Respect professional boundaries - DO NOT: • Date students, teachers, staff, or supervisors • Develop a “personal friendship” with students • Transport students in a vehicle at anytime, under any circumstances • Invite students to meet you off school property • Visit students at their home or have students come to your home • Exception: Authorized “home visits” that are part of the program…but you MUST have a supervisor with you. • Sexual Harassment • Do not be alone with a P-12 student. If you must: • First notify your mentor teacher • Sit in full view (to the hallway) with an open door • Sit on opposite side of desk or table – or at least on adjacent side (avoid “shoulder to shoulder”) • Keep all the lights on and window blinds open • Do not sexually harass any student, staff member, or visitor • Counseling Settings: make every reasonable effort to avoid even the appearance of actions that could be interpreted as sexual harassment of students and/or co-workers.

16. Professional Conduct • Respect personal boundaries • Do not use corporal punishment • Hitting, slapping, shoving, paddling, grabbing, etc. • If youinitiate “time outs”, do so only under direct supervision and follow all school and state-sanctioned guidelines and policies. • USE EXTREME CAUTIONwith all physical contact including hugs, “back-pats”, touching, etc. • Notify your university supervisor if you implement aversive treatment of a P-12 student or are concerned a student may alleged that inappropriate touching or harassment has occurred. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REGULATION WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE FIELD EXPERIENCE.

17. Career Killers • Gossip, whining, & griping • Breach of confidentiality • Substance abuse • Tardiness & absenteeism • Academic incompetence • Poor oral speaking skills • Poor writing skills • Unprofessional behavior and demeanor as described in this presentation.

18. BOTTOM LINE… You have the civil right to present yourself as you see fit…. BUT site administrators, university supervisors, faculty and administrators have the AUTHORITY to remove you from the site if they see fit….

19. Miscellaneous Responsibilities • Learn the safety regulations. Know exactly what to do for: • Fire and other safety drills and evacuations • Weapons & bomb threats • First aid situations, including school district policy about giving aid • Lock-Down procedures (preplan care for your children if you can’t leave the school!) • People authorized for pick-up and delivery of students • Use of Public Property • Use property only in accordance with the rules and regulations of the school and district. No equipment, supplies or materials may be taken off-site without expressed permission. • Drug use, sexual or physical abuse, neglect, potential suicide, harm to others, etc. • Helping professionals and teachers are required to report. • Report full knowledge to your mentor teacher and university supervisor, immediately. • The school will have specific guidelines regarding the steps to be taken. Your responsibility is to inform without delay and to follow the procedures of the school and district.

20. Communicable Diseases • Always protect yourself – strictly follow blood borne pathogens procedures. • Always have rubber gloves on you (this is why teachers like pockets!) or near you. • Liability • There is always a risk that you can be held liable for a situation during a field experience. • Most school districts will not “cover” personal liability cases or judgments against an individual. • We strongly recommend that you acquire liability insurance. • Personal policy • Student MEA-MFT membership • $20.00 per year • $1 Million liability insurance coverage

21. “The Buck Stops Here…..” • Maintain a positive, professional attitude, even if things are getting “rough and tough.” • Please conduct yourself in a manner befitting a member of the teaching profession! • You must follow any other ethical and professional standards set by the school/agency in which you are completing a field experience.