10 commandments of professionalism for teachers
1. Thou Shalt Define Your Terms
What are the characteristics of a professional teacher? Successful teachers develop a clear image of themselves at their professional best.
2. Thou Shalt Locate Your Mentor
An appropriate mentor is invaluable. New teachers need to locate someone whose style they respect and who will guide them through the pitfalls of the first few years.
3. Thou Shalt Keep Up Appearances
What is appropriate dress for a teacher? Successful educators understand that their appearance will create the first impression that students, colleagues, administrators, and parents will make of them.
4. Thou Shalt Respect Your Power
Because of the nature of the job, teachers are handed a great deal of power over their students. Professional teachers respect that power, they do not abuse it by becoming a "buddy" or a "dictator" in the classroom.
5. Thou Shalt Take Care of the Parents
Professional teachers work hard to open up the lines of communication between the home and school. They understand the importance of creating positive relationships with their students' parents in the first few weeks of the school year.
6. Thou Shalt Pull Your Weight
All teachers are part of a team and must learn ways to work cooperatively with even the most difficult coworkers.
7. Thou Shalt Pay Attention to the Details
Before school begins, teachers need to establish a classroom management plan which includes a system for documenting discipline problems.
8. Thou Shalt Pick and Choose Your Battles
A professional knows the difference between a petty annoyance and a roadblock. Successful teachers learn to diffuse a negative situation before it gets out of control.
9. Thou Shalt Grow in Your Profession
As with any profession, teachers must stay aware of new advances in education and resist the temptation to teach the same curriculum in the same style year after year.
10. Thou Shalt...