Professional Activity of a Teacher - Essay Example

Professional Credo First Affiliation There are quite a number of issues, which come into playwhen looking at the various careers, which people engage in. In some of the instances, these issues are in relation to the way the individuals in that particular field carry themselves or the way they relate with other people in the course of their activities especially those that are related with the profession (Branson, 2006). The profession, which is in focus, in this case is that of an educator. In the case of an educator, there are several values, which come out in relation to the profession. As an educator, it is of significant essence to be aware of some of these values and present a belief statement with regards to these values. Respect I have come to realize that this is a rather significant and influential value in the course of the interaction between people. In a school setting, this value is portrayed through the interactions of educators with each other and with the students. I believe that for a system to function properly it is of the essence for respect to be existent between the various stakeholders that keep the institution alive (Cummings & Worley, 2004). This is because respect is an element, which is two-way. One of the most controversial issues which educators are faced with, and one, which brings about the questioning of respect is when a student means to differ with what the educator is presenting. The notion in this case is that the educator is mostly right in almost all the occasions. For starters, it is significant to note that respect for other people’s opinions is something, which is highly valued in a particular setting (Eagly, 2005). For this reason, an educator has to be in a position to take in and respect what another party, particularly a student may pose. Teaching is defined as the cause of knowing something. In this case, the teacher imparts knowledge on the students. This, however, is not to say that the teacher necessarily knows everything. There are those elements which the teacher does not know and on the other hand, there are those elements which the students may have some knowledge of in comparison to the teacher. The one thing, which will make these two parties come to agreement with each other, is the element of respect in them. Respect is something, which I will hold with high esteem in the course of my interaction with the various people in the school. I would not like to disrespect a person because equally I would not like them to disrespect me. I believe that if the students respect each other, they will be in a position to exercise this same respect in other areas, say their education, for example (Noddings, 2010). They will be in a position to see how important this education is. Compassion In the course of the teaching profession, there are various instances in which the teacher will get to encounter situations that will demand compassion on the part of the tutor. This is especially in the course of their interactions with their students. There are those students who will be on the wrong in some instances. The true test of compassion on the part of the teacher will be portrayed in the way he or she will handle such students. A case example in this case may be an issue to do with a child who has not carried out his or her assignment majorly because of some upheavals at his or her home. This, as child psychology establishes, is something, which may have some rather devastating effects on the child in question. How will the teacher handle the case of such a child? This is especially if the teacher is punishing other children who have not done the assignment. I believe that compassion is something, which automatically comes up on the part of the teacher majorly as a result of the situation which he or she may be in. The day-to day activities that are involved with the teaching profession pose situations where the teacher has to exercise compassion (Pierce & Newstorm, 2006). This is especially a hard affair if this has to be done in a manner that may point an element of favoritism on the part of the teacher. The value of compassion is one of the things in education institutions, which makes students have preference of some teachers as opposed to others (Senge et al, 2007). This is not to say that teachers should show compassion for the purpose of winning the liking of the students. I believe that compassion should be shown where it is deserved. I will be at the forefront of showing this compassion to my students. In this same regard, it is my hope and belief that they will also show the same compassion to other individuals (Skipper & Bell, 2006). Integrity I am of the opinion that integrity is one of the most significant values, which should be possessed by a person in the education field, especially a tutor (Starratt, 1994). It is integrity, which will point out whether the tutor is indeed successful in the course of his or her activities of, is more of a failure. There are several issues, which show a clear lacking of integrity on the part of the tutors. An example in this case is when the tutor favors some students in the course of marking of performance assessment. There may be some reasons for this but the bottom-line is that this undertaking is one, which portrays a lack of integrity on the part of the tutor. The major thing in this case is to do with honesty in the activities, which the tutor is embarking on. This integrity has to be shown on the part of the tutor and the students and not forgetting in the relationship between the tutor and other senior stakeholders in the institution, say the management. The results, which are presented to the management of the school, ought to be the true reflection of what is happening on the ground in relation to the work, which the teacher is doing with his or her students. In the course of my career, I have come across various cases where tutors would like to win the liking of the management because of good results, which they post. For that reason, they may engage in other unscrupulous activities with the intention of pointing out that they are doing well when in actual case they are underperforming (Islam & Zyphur, 2009). I believe that integrity is something which stems down from the leader to the subjects. As a teacher, I would exercise integrity with the hope that the students would come to see this and the importance attached to it. The notion for this is that in future, they will also be integral individuals who will be positive and also attach greater importance to integrity (Begley, 2003). Professionalism Any particular career demands that a person carries him or herself in a manner, which shows elements of professionalism. This professionalism may be exhibited through various aspects (Rausch, 1999). This ranges from the way the tutor dresses to the way he or she interacts with his or her students. One thing, which I know for sure, is that a teacher is not supposed to engage in other activities with a student. For example, paying his or her bus fare or giving the student money or other favors. This is because the level of professionalism of the teacher may come into question if such activities start coming up. The manner in which the tutor undertakes his or her duties in class is also supposed to show an element of professionalism. As a teacher, I will be responsible for ensuring that the associations, which I have with the various stakeholders in the institution, are of a professional nature. There may be some elements of informality in my relations with fellow members of staff but in the case of the students, professional ethics will have to be adhered to (Modaff et al, 2011). When my students get to see my professionalism, they will see the seriousness I put in my work. In the process, they will also become serious individuals. Understanding There are various diverse needs, which students have in the course of their learning activities. These needs range from one individual to another. For this reason, a tutor ought to be in a position to clearly understand the differences, which come about. Through this understanding, the teacher will be in a position to know how to go about one problem in comparison to another (Branson, 2008). It is significantly important for a person in the field of education to realize that students are different. Understanding these differences will lead to the aversion of cases of misunderstanding on the part of the tutors. For example, giving a student punishment because of a failure on the part of the teacher to understand a situation. It is usually a disappointing affair when the teacher comes to realize his or her fault when the damage has already been done. In this case, the impact will have already been felt by the student. Basing on the impact that is experienced, the result of such a failure may have some far-reaching repercussions especially on the part of the student. As a person in the teaching profession, I will always try my level best to endure that I find out as much as I can about issues that are related to my students so that I can get an understanding of the plight, which they have. The portrayal of understanding which I will have on my students will clearly show them that conflicts can be avoided through such measures. Through understanding also, the students will also be able to learn that people’s opinions ought to be considered (Begley, 2003). The beliefs which I hold with regards to the above values will significantly help me be a better teacher and build me even more in my career. I believe that my career majorly entails the offering of service to individuals. With this knowledge, the service which I offer to the students ought to be of high quality. At the same time, the methods which I use to teach ought to be those which are more encouraging to the students and in this case being encouraged to participate and learn. References Begley, P.T.  (2006). Self Knowledge, capacity and sensitivity: Prerequisites to authentic leadership by school principals. Journal of Educational Administration, 44(6), pp. 570-589. Begley, P. T. (2003). 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