Professional
Expectations for Candidates
As a teacher candidate, you should demonstrate
professionalism and commitment to classes and course work and to the
practicum (STEP, Practice Teaching, Internship).
With respect to classes and
course work, you are expected to:
- make every possible effort to attend and
fully participate in each class session. Notify, ahead of time,
the instructor and provide the reason if you are going to be
absent;
- make every reasonable effort to attend
class on time in order to maximize personal contributions and to
minimize disruptions to ones colleagues. Punctuality is an
essential characteristic of a responsible teacher;
- use every opportunity to share personal
talents, expertise, and/or teaching resources with ones
colleagues in class sessions;
- submit class assignments by the due date or
makes arrangements, satisfactory to the instructor, for an
alternate due date. Late assignments will not be graded if the
candidate has not made such alternate arrangements with the
instructor;
- demonstrate a sense of professional
reliability. For example: (i) Borrowed resources are returned when
they are due; ii) When you sign to attend the optional workshops,
you make every effort to participate. You will notify the
instructor if you are unable to attend so that the rest of the
group is not delayed in adhering to its workshop
timetable.
With respect to STEP &
Practice Teaching, you are expected to:
- Seek information regarding routines such as
recess duty, fire alarm drill, corridor routes and behaviours,
tidyup, etc. and help in monitoring same.
- Observe, discuss, and reflect on the
management of classrooms and the guidance of children's
behaviours.
- Assist the teacher in preparation,
instruction, and evaluation of children's learning
experiences.
- Learn through observation, discussion, and
practice the various skills of teaching in all areas of the
curriculum.
- Present to your associate a well
considered, clear set of statements depicting your own personal
and professional goals vis-a-vis this particular STEP/PT setting.
- Communicate the University's expectations
of STEP/PT, as you see them, and assigned projects and associated
due dates with realistic lead time.
- Invite comments from your associate on your
progress toward your goal of becoming a professional
educator.
- Contact your Faculty Advisor if
consultation or advice on any matter relating to the STEP/PT
experience is needed or rf a school visit by a Faculty advisor or
other staff would be beneficial.
Besides
the above, you are expected to demonstrate to adults and
children:
Empathy
- as concern for the welfare of others -- the ability to care beyond
oneself;
Acceptance and Respect
-of individual
differences -- i.e.; looks attitudes, life styles,
viewpoint;
Ability to
Listen - with
understanding and supportive feedback;
A Positive
Attitude - as
expectations of the best from others;
Continued Personal Growth
and Development - by
admitting deficiencies, correcting fallacies and acquiring new
knowledge;
Freedom from Preiudice and
Discrimination - by
supporting and valuing cultural heritage;
Flexibility and
Adaptability - as
needed to approach a situation in a new way according to the moment's
criteria;
Imagination and
Creativity - by
escaping from rigidity, structures and the hum-drum;
Enthusiasm
- as a positive model stimulating active involvement and
participation;
Patience
- to accept the myriad frustrations of a teacher's and student's
day;
Intuitiveness and
Sensitivity - as felt
response to unspoken needs;
Poise and
Self-Confidence - as
presenting a model of security;
Honesty and
Congruence - as a sense
of fair play and justice; treating each person according to his/her
needs,
Cooperation. Reliability and
Dependability - by
demonstrating individual initiative.