Sergiovanni

I think that professionalism is a very important topic to discuss with any future graduate. In my personal opinion I feel that whatever career you choose or job you work at you should be conducting yourself in a professional way. It does not matter the age of the individual.

Today in class, we were asked to think about the term professionalism and come up with a definition. In my view, professionalism is acting in a professional manner and carrying one’s self out in an appropriate matter. Some characteristics that are included with professionalism are confidentiality, respecting others views and opinions, dependability, attitude, responsibility and accountability.

Believing passionately about what you do, never compromising your standards & values and caring about your students, your colleagues and your own career, by David Maister, edited by Jackie Kirk. I think this is an excellent definition to follow. I know that for me personally I never compromise my standards for anyone or anything.

Sergiovannis’ 4 commitments to professionalism

1.       Commitment to caring

-          Families, students, the school and colleagues

-          Example: if someone is discussing another colleague in an inappropriate way you will have the commitment to say you do not feel comfortable in this conversation and find a way to remove yourself from it.

2.       Commitment to practice in exemplary ways

-          Lesson Planning, Classroom Management, Communication

3.       Commitment to valued social ends

-          Need to make the world a better place, global and local support

4.       Commitment one’s own practice, but also to the practice itself

-          Making a commitment to teaching and the profession, Attending professional development days as well as leading professional development days, hosting a student teacher

So, because this is a blog I have to go on my first little rant! I am not sure the way people carry and present themselves has been changing over the last few decades or whether it is because I am more aware of it as I get older, but there are many people in society who do not seem to care how they are presenting themselves. I feel that many professionals are jeopardizing their reputation by the things they are posting on the internet (mainly Facebook) and the actions they carry out on their free time. I would like to share this story with you. It was near the end of the school year when I turned 18, as my birthday is in May. I was at the bar with some friends from work. I was still in high school and I saw one of my previous teachers there ( this teacher was not teaching me in any classes at that time, but was at the same school) and this teacher gave me the finger from across the bar and I guess my mouth must have dropped, because they came over and said I hate how you are so young. Now, how was I ever supposed to respect that teacher as a professional again? I didn’t and I still don’t.