Professional Teacher Essay

1496 Words6 Pages
This essay will guide you through the expectations of a teacher as a professional, analysing roles, responsibilities and challenges. Boundaries faced and the impact on teaching will be explored throughout. Being professional depends on the profession (Wright 2008). However, the term professional usually describes a person who is characterised by or conforms to the technical or ethical standards of a given profession (Moyles 2006). Calderhead (1994) advises a profession will have its own code of practice in relation to its work. Moyles (2006) suggests the code of practice should be understood and adhered to by all those in the profession and reminds us some may be unwritten, yet will still guide us in or day-day practices. A teacher is expected to demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct. These behaviours and attitudes are specifically outlined in the Department for Education Teachers’ Standards (DfE 2013, p.7) Teachers make the education of their pupils their first concern, and are accountable for achieving the highest possible standards in work and conduct. Teachers act with honesty and integrity; have strong subject knowledge; keep their knowledge and skills as teachers up-to-date and are self-critical; forge positive professional relationships; and work with parents in the best interests of their pupils. The Teachers’ Standards (DfE 2013) have recently recommended our professional values and practice should be based on having high expectations of all pupils and being committed to raising their educational achievement. This is a core responsibility and, like a doctor is expected to make people better, a teacher’s primary role is to teach. Meeting these standards presents a significant challenge. Constant
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