4f: Professional Responsibilities

“A teacher’s integrity is demonstrated, most importantly, through honesty.  Professional educators can be counted on to do what they said they would do, to maintain confidentiality and to support the best efforts of colleagues.”

-C. Danielson

This week’s element is demonstrated every day in interactions with students and colleagues.  How we conduct ourselves and follow through with professional responsibilities are components of Danielson Framework 4f.  The elements of 4f: Professional Responsibilities include: Integrity and ethical conduct, service to students, advocacy, decision making and compliance with school and district regulations.

The descriptors for a teacher who is proficient in professional responsibilities include:

• Teacher displays high standards of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality in interaction with colleagues, students and the public.
• Teacher is active in serving students.
• Teacher works to ensure that all students receive a fair opportunity to succeed.
• Teacher maintains an open mind and participates in team or departmental decision making.
• Teacher complies fully with school and district expectations, including engagement in PLC discussions and meetings/community circles, as well as collaborative curriculum development and deployment.

The descriptors for a teacher who is distinguished in professional responsibilities include:

• Teacher is highly proactive in serving students, seeking out resources when needed.
• Teacher makes a concerted effort to challenge negative attitudes or practices to ensure that all students, particularly those traditionally underserved, are honored in the school.
• Teacher takes a leadership role in team or departmental decision making and helps ensure that such decisions are based on the highest professional standards.
• Teacher complies fully with school and district expectations, taking a leadership role with colleagues.

 
Throughout this year, there have been significant practices that have been launched and lifted by the professionals at STEM and Hawthorne.  The commitment to providing high quality PBL experiences, as well as iPad assisted personalized learning paths is rooted in an advocacy for students. The belief that we are here to move children forward is a powerful force in changing the lives of children.  This work could not have been done in isolation and requires a team focused on the same goal.  The time and expertise you share within your level and on vertical teams creates a bank of talents that we all draw from together.  Thank you for the wealth of collegiality you have brought to your team’s collaborative table...every day!

This week's question...not school related!

What is the best book you have read lately (for enjoyment) that you could recommend to everyone? Spring break is coming up fast and everyone needs a good read ;-)