Professional Knowledge and Abilities - Research Paper Example

As the largest national non-union professional teacher association, Association of American Educators, advocates personal growth, professionalism inteaching and promotes excellence in education (Association of American Educators, 2011). Founded in 1994 by Gary Beckner, his wife, and a group of nationally-recognized educators, the association seeks to promote professionalism in education in order for teachers to acquire the respect, recognition and reward they deserve. Funded by membership due of its 300,000 members spread across the 50 states of the United States, the association is officially nonpartisan, non-union, is not a lobbying organization and is licensed as a 501(c)(6) professional trade association (Association of American Educators, 2011).

The association promotes professionalism in education through the provision of classroom mini-grants and scholarships designed specifically to help advance continuing education and student achievement. All members are eligible to apply for these grants and scholarships. Through the association newsletter, Education Matters, an easy-to-read and straight-to-the-point letter, members are updated with key issues in the education career. Indeed, featured articles with refreshing perspective in recent editions include “A Charter School Success Story in the Making”, “Reinventing Special Education”, Empowering Teachers to do Assessment” and “The Three Reasons We Must Teach History”.

Furthermore, through the Individual Liability Insurance policy, the association guarantees $2,000,000 protection per occurrence, per member. In addition, the association’s Legal Protection benefits ensure that members have access to legal counsel at the onset of workplace issues and Defense costs. The legal coverage takes care of legal action arising from out of duties. The Employment Right Coverage of the association ensures that members have immediate access to an attorney if they are threatened with termination, suspension, reassignment, or demotion in the place of work.

These packages and benefits promote as well as enhance efficient discharge of duties as an educator through increasing professional knowledge, abilities and self-confidence. Indeed, the scholarship program makes it possible for members to further their education in order to update themselves with current issues in the frontiers of the teaching profession. In addition, the scholarship provides funds to attend conferences, which are avenues for keeping informed on the latest trend in one’s career.

The knowledge gain from the conferences and continuing education program assist in the development of new skills, and approaches in the discharge of one’s duty. For instance, through participation in conferences, communication skills are developed and improved, which will facilitate efficient delivery of class materials to students. Furthermore, knowledge builds self confidence, which ultimately enhances leadership quality. This is very important in the teaching profession as a teacher must be in control of himself and his/her students.

Indeed, the professional knowledge and abilities acquire through membership of the Association of American Educators will ensure my career success. Works Cited Association of American Educators. (2011, May 18). Who are we? Retrieved May 19, 2011, from Association of American Educators: http://www.aaeteachers.org/