CHAPTER 3: TEACHING AS A PROFESSION

Overview:

In this chapter, we shall cover

• Concepts of a professional and non-professional

• Code of Ethics

• Accountability towards school, profession, nation and self

Key Terms

• Profession

• Professional

• Non-professional

• Qualities of teaching-behaviour, mentor, model, leader

• Code of Ethics

• Accountability

Further Reading
Darling-Hammond, L.(1991) Teachers and Teaching: Signs of a changing profession. In The Handbook of research on teacher education. Houston(ed.) New York: Macmillan
Day,C. (1999). Developing Teachers: The Challenges of Lifelong Learning. London: Falmer Press.
Hoyle,E. & John,P. (1995). Professional Knowledge and professional practice. London: Cassel
Lieberman, M. (1995). Education as a profession. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall
http://www.mpls.k12.mm.us/departments/CIT2/ethics.htm
Ryan,K. & Cooper, J.M.(1998). Those who can, Teach. Boston: Houghton Miflin Co.

Suggested Input

1. Profession

A profession is an occupation which performs a crucial social function. To accomplish this function it requires a considerable degree of skill requires a body of systematic knowledge grounded in theory. This acquisition of this body of knowledge and the development of specific skill entails a lengthy period of higher education. The period of education and training involves the process of socialization into professional values. These professional values tends to center on the pre-eminence of essential for the professional to have the freedom or autonomy to make his/her own judgments with regard to appropriate practice.

2. Professional

2.1 Professional is one who has (i) a specialized knowledge base(technical culture);(ii) commitment to meeting client needs(service ethic) ;(iii) strong collective identity-professional commitment( professional commitment); and (iv) collegial as against bureaucratic control over practice and professional standards (professional autonomy).

2.2 Characteristics of professionals:


- possess a specialized skill enabling them to offer a specialized service

- undergo intellectual and practical training in a well-defined area of study

- maintain detachment and integrity in exercising personal judgment on behalf of a client

- establish direct, personal relations with a client, based on confidence, faith and trust

- collectively have a sense of responsibility for maintaining the competence and integrity of the professional as a whole

- tend or required to avoid certain manners of attracting business

- are organized in bodies which, with or without state intervention, are concerned to provide the machinery for testing competence and regulating standards of competence and conduct


3. Non Professional

The profession is not a unique service. Training is not rigorous that is a short period of training. And entrance to the occupation is not especially competitive, particularly on intellectual grounds. There is little decision-making power as most important decisions that affects the person ‘s daily lives, even those directly on the standards of their own profession are made by administrator. There is little accountability and little involvement in activities professional organization

4. Qualities of a teacher

4.1 Leader who can inspire and influence students through expert and referent power but never coercive power. This teacher knows his students well and is kind and respectful towards his students. He has high standards and expectations coexisting with encouragement, support and flexibility. The teacher empower students and get them to do things of which they did not think they were capable.

4.2 Coach/guide who helps students to improve on their skills and insights

4.3 Disseminator of knowledge and skills

4.4 Role model to the student; practices what he/she preaches. He/She upholds moral values and humanitarian principles in all his actions. Teachers conduct their day –by-day doing in such a way that their behavior can be cherished by the learners. Teachers should be a human model for learners therefore, they must uphold all codes of ethical conduct that are necessary and essential in human modeling and moral education.

4.5 Innovator, creative, resourceful and encourages diversity and individuality in his students.

5. Code of Ethics

5.1 Ethical responsibilities to students

- Teachers will educate students to high standards of achievement. The teacher shall use best professional practices and materials and the teacher is knowledgeable of and delivers the standards-based curriculum

- Teacher shall engage in practices and select materials that include all students, celebrate diversity and never exclude them from opportunities on the basis of their race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, language, ability or the status, behavior or beliefs of their parents

- The teacher is committed to developing the skill sets needed to best accelerate the learning of the students currently in their classrooms

- The teacher creates a classroom environment that is respectful, emotionally secure and physically safe for students

5.2 Ethical Responsibilities to Family/Community

- The teacher shall inform families of program philosophy, policies and personnel qualifications and explain why we teach as we do, which should be in accordance with our ethical responsibilities to students

- The teacher shall involve families in significant decisions affecting their student and regularly communicate student progress with families

- The teacher shall inform the family of accidents involving their student, of risks such as exposures to contagious disease that may result in infection and of occurrences that might result in emotional stress

- The teacher shall maintain confidentiality and shall respect the family’s right to privacy, refraining from disclosure of confidential information and intrusion into family life, except when a student’s welfare is at risk

- The teacher shall be objective and accurate in reporting the knowledge upon which we base our programs, assessments and professional practices

- The teacher shall cooperate and team with other professionals who work with students and families

- The teacher shall exercise care in expressing views regarding students.

Statements shall be respectful and based on firsthand knowledge

5.3 Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues

- The teacher shall show respect for personal dignity and for the diversity found among staff members, and to resolve matters collegially
- The teacher shall exercise care in expressing views regarding the professional behavior or conduct of co-workers and/or students.
- The teacher agrees to carry out the program at the site to which we are assigned. When we do not agree with the program policies, we shall first attempt to effect change through constructive action within the organization
- Teachers who do not meet program standards shall be informed of areas of concern and, when possible, assisted in improving their performance
- In making assessments and recommendations, the teacher shall make judgments based on fact and relevant to the interests of students and programs

6. Accountability

6.1 Teacher accountability refers to the responsibility towards one’s teaching profession

6.2 Job accountability

o Performs curriculum and co-curriculum activities

o Follow job procedures

o Internalize one’s work ethics

o Responsible and perform job with dedication and commitment

6.3 Accountability towards nation

o knowledge practitioner and educate citizens of Malaysia

o inculcate moral values, develop and preserve our culture

o realization of the national philosophy of education and vision of the country

o instill national integration

o develop a progressive generation

6.4 Accountability towards students and parents

o disseminate knowledge and skills to students

o educate and inculcate moral values

o inculcate good behaviors

o develop students’ potentials intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically

6.5 Accountability towards self

o as a model for students

o maintain good behaviors

o update oneself on current knowledge and skills

o perform one’s job sincerely