Chapter Two Teaching as a Profession

ü Teaching is a sophisticated and complicated professional activity requiring extensive academic and professional preparation. ü A teacher requires an array of knowledge in many academic areas.

Chapter Two Teaching as a Profession Teaching is a sophisticated and complicated professional activity requiring extensive academic and professional preparation. A teacher requires an array of knowledge in many academic areas. What you will learn: Every profession has specific hallmarks that define its organization as well as its purposes for its members and the public. A goal of teacher organizations, such as the National Educational Association and the American Federation of Teachers, is to help teachers become professionals. As society becomes more complex, the problems teachers encounter in the classroom are reflected in teacher organizations. Defining the profession Is teaching an occupation or vocation? How do we define professionals and profession? We want you to have a clear idea of these terms mean to teaching and teaching organizations. 1.Hallmarks of a Professional A professional is an individual who performs a unique task that sets him or her apart from society. This task is important to society Individual agrees to follow a special code of ethic’s Professional organizations guarantees that those with certain knowledge and skills meet high standards (hallmarks) 1. A unique set of knowledge and skills to offer society 2. A code of ethics agree on by all members of the profession 3. A professional organization · Unique knowledge – an organized set of skills and information that individuals obtain through advanced education in an accredited institution or university. · Code of Ethics – members agree to act in a certain fashion · Organization – associations of individuals with similar skills who agree on a specific code of ethics. 2.The Professionalism of Teacher · While it is true that some teacher organizations have a code of ethics, teachers cannot be disciplined by their professional organizations in the same way as lawyers or doctors. · Is there a professional teacher organization you must join to be recognized as a professional? 1. Ensuring the Quality of Teachers · Perhaps the major reason teaching is not considered a profession is that teachers have difficulty transferring the unique knowledge learned in teacher prep programs to classrooms. · Many schools do not have sophisticated mentoring programs to help beginning teachers understand the practical problems of classrooms. 2. Certification, or Licensure of all teachers. · Teacher certification legally endorses those who we call teachers to teach children. · It is a privilege · Teacher certification procedures vary greatly from state to state. · The state’s license is the final document an individual receives from the state department of education that allows her/him to teach ü In some states (Oklahoma), a license allows you to be employed after graduation by a local school district for a period of time which completing program. 3. Alternative Certification Programs. ü Allows college graduates to teach in classroom even though they do not have teaching certificates. 3.Professional Standards Boards 48 state legislatures have developed professional standards boards Define minimum competency of teacher would know · National Board for Professional Teaching Standards ü The purpose of the NBPTS is to provide strong leadership on behalf of those in the profession in explaining to states what should be the criteria for the certification of teachers. ü Assessment of teacher competency. · National Board Certification of Teachers ü Voluntary advanced teaching credential 4.Professional Teacher Organizations ü Figure 2.1 on p. 36 ü National Education Association (NEA) ü Local and State NEA and AFT Affiliates ü Comparison of the NEA and AFT p.40 5.Problems facing Teaching Organizations ü Public Perceptions ü Educational Goals and Expense ü Improving Working Conditions

Defining the profession Is teaching an occupation or vocation? How do we define professionals and profession? We want you to have a clear idea of these terms mean to teaching and teaching organizations.

1.Hallmarks of a Professional A professional is an individual who performs a unique task that sets him or her apart from society. This task is important to society Individual agrees to follow a special code of ethic’s Professional organizations guarantees that those with certain knowledge and skills meet high standards (hallmarks) 1. A unique set of knowledge and skills to offer society 2. A code of ethics agree on by all members of the profession 3. A professional organization · Unique knowledge – an organized set of skills and information that individuals obtain through advanced education in an accredited institution or university. · Code of Ethics – members agree to act in a certain fashion · Organization – associations of individuals with similar skills who agree on a specific code of ethics.

1.The Professionalism of Teacher · While it is true that some teacher organizations have a code of ethics, teachers cannot be disciplined by their professional organizations in the same way as lawyers or doctors. · Is there a professional teacher organization you must join to be recognized as a professional?

1. Ensuring the Quality of Teachers · Perhaps the major reason teaching is not considered a profession is that teachers have difficulty transferring the unique knowledge learned in teacher prep programs to classrooms. · Many schools do not have sophisticated mentoring programs to help beginning teachers understand the practical problems of classrooms.

· Teacher certification legally endorses those who we call teachers to teach children. · It is a privilege · Teacher certification procedures vary greatly from state to state. · The state’s license is the final document an individual receives from the state department of education that allows her/him to teach ü In some states (Oklahoma), a license allows you to be employed after graduation by a local school district for a period of time which completing program.

1. Alternative Certification Programs. ü Allows college graduates to teach in classroom even though they do not have teaching certificates.

1.Professional Standards Boards 48 state legislatures have developed professional standards boards Define minimum competency of teacher would know · National Board for Professional Teaching Standards ü The purpose of the NBPTS is to provide strong leadership on behalf of those in the profession in explaining to states what should be the criteria for the certification of teachers. ü Assessment of teacher competency. · National Board Certification of Teachers ü Voluntary advanced teaching credential

1.Professional Teacher Organizations ü Figure 2.1 on p. 36 ü National Education Association (NEA) ü Local and State NEA and AFT Affiliates ü Comparison of the NEA and AFT p.40

1.Problems facing Teaching Organizations ü Public Perceptions ü Educational Goals and Expense ü Improving Working Conditions