Standard 9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professional, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
Standard 9I
The teacher understands how personal identity, worldview, and prior experience affect perceptions and expectations, and recognizes how they may bias behaviors and interactions with others.
The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professional, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
Standard 9I
The teacher understands how personal identity, worldview, and prior experience affect perceptions and expectations, and recognizes how they may bias behaviors and interactions with others.
This is a standard that took me awhile to understand. But as I began to think about it, I realized that I have been observing this and thinking about this all semester. My Practicum teacher is covered in tattoos. The very first day he asked if I had any more questions. Of course I did. I asked him how these tattoos had effected his educational career. He replied with, "These are part of who I am. They don't make me any better, or any worse than anyone else. People know me for my teaching abilities. Not what I look like. It does not effect my professional abilities at all. In fact, I believe it makes me better!"
I loved this response. Yes, it is believed that teachers have to put on a face and be "perfect." However, that is setting themselves up for failure because no one is perfect. It is important to be who you are and to express yourself. Why? Because students look up to their teachers. If the teacher is open to expressing themselves, then hopefully the students will as well. I am not saying that his students all need to go get tattoos, no. That is a personal choice. But the philosophy of expressing oneself is so important. It helps create a safe atmosphere within the classroom.
I loved this response. Yes, it is believed that teachers have to put on a face and be "perfect." However, that is setting themselves up for failure because no one is perfect. It is important to be who you are and to express yourself. Why? Because students look up to their teachers. If the teacher is open to expressing themselves, then hopefully the students will as well. I am not saying that his students all need to go get tattoos, no. That is a personal choice. But the philosophy of expressing oneself is so important. It helps create a safe atmosphere within the classroom.
Below is a response on how my Practicum teacher continues to be a lifetime learner and improve himself.
Standard 9J
The teacher understands laws related to learners’ rights and teacher responsibilities (e.g., for educational equity, appropriate education for learners with disabilities, confidentiality, privacy, appropriate treatment of learners, reporting in situations related to possible child abuse).
Below are snapshots of a pamphlet and slides. That explain all of the Laws of Teachers and Students. It is important that teachers know the laws and follow them. Especially when it involves the laws located under "Other Laws."
Standard 9K
The teacher knows how to build and implement a plan for professional growth directly aligned with his/her needs as a growing professional using feedback from teacher evaluations and observations, data on learner performance and school and system wide priorities.
The teacher knows how to build and implement a plan for professional growth directly aligned with his/her needs as a growing professional using feedback from teacher evaluations and observations, data on learner performance and school and system wide priorities.
Below is an excerpt from a Practicum Journal talking about making plans and sticking to them.
As can be seen, my teacher did not ever make plans.
I came to learn that it is important to make goals for yourself even as an educator. One should always be improving and wanting to make themselves, and their teaching style better. That is just part of being a successful teacher. It is also crucial to take in to account different opinions of others. That does not mean that as a teacher you have to agree with them, but take them in to account.
I came to learn that it is important to make goals for yourself even as an educator. One should always be improving and wanting to make themselves, and their teaching style better. That is just part of being a successful teacher. It is also crucial to take in to account different opinions of others. That does not mean that as a teacher you have to agree with them, but take them in to account.