Introduction

            One of the most memorable teachers I had in high school was a young, pregnant biology teacher. She was not memorable for her revolutionary teaching methods, or even for being a friendly and encouraging instructor, but what made her unforgettable was what she wore. This teacher did not let her pregnancy stop her from dressing up for our class, in fact she dressed more for a night out on the town than she did to teach us about mitochondria being the powerhouse of the cell. She wore stiletto four inch heels almost every day, paired with deep cut tops and dresses that barely covered her body. To say her professionalism was lacking is an understatement. For this paper, I will share my own definition of professionalism and what my expectations are for professionalism in the field.

Personal Definition of Professionalism

            To me, professionalism as a teacher is conducting oneself in a respectful, competent manner. This means that from the moment I get dressed for work in the morning to when I get home I will be dressed professionally, appropriately, and modestly. A professional teacher must also use impeccable hygiene, appear showered, and well-groomed. In less superficial manners, I believe a teacher should exhibit professionalism by keeping an organized and accessible classroom. When a student comes in the classroom, they should know where to put their papers or homework and where to obtain all the necessary supplies.

            When interacting with students, I will maintain professional by demanding respect from my students and exuding respect in return. In interactions with colleagues and administration, a professional can build bridges and work in partnerships while establishing a reputation worthy of respect. Even when working with someone I may not care for, as a professional I will not show negativity toward the experience and instead use it as an opportunity for personal growth and collaboration.

Field Expectations

            When I venture out into the field, I expect to see teachers exhibiting professionalism through their lesson organization, classroom management, and personal appearance. The organization of lessons and curriculum in the classroom must be cohesive and easily understood by administration, partner teachers, substitutes, and parents. I would expect to hear or read the objective of the lesson clearly stated and be able to align this objective with a specific TEK for the grade level being taught. Although I expect that sometimes a teacher will lose the focus of the classroom, I expect professionals in the field to quickly regain management of the classroom. In personal appearance, I expect to see male professionals in slacks and button up shirts or polos except on spirit days. For female professionals, I expect to see slacks or khakis and a nice top or a tasteful length of dress or skirt. Since I am working with children in early childhood to sixth grade, all the clothing worn by professionals should allow teachers to get down on the floor.

Conclusion

            In summary, I expect to see many, if not all, of the aspects of professionalism which I value: appropriate dress, organization, mutual respect, and classroom management. There is a delicate balance to professionalism with still being personable for the students. To show professionalism as a teacher, a lot is expected of instructors and I intend to go beyond expectations to maintain a professional reputation throughout my career.