Notes on Teaching as A Profession, Mentoing and Mentor teacher, Professional ethics of a teacher, Qualities of a teacher, Teachers Accountability

Hai readers, this is a brief note on certain notions regarding teaching profession. Read and comment on them.

Teaching as a Profession

Teaching is not a job, but a profession. A profession always needs completion of a professional education and training.  Teachers all over the world enter this profession after the completion of a professional education.

In India, teaching is something more than a profession. It is considered a sacred work. They are called preceptors or Gurus.

Teaching is the specialized application of knowledge, skills and attributes designed to provide unique service to meet the educational needs of the individual and of society. The choice of learning activities whereby the goals of education are realized in the school is the responsibility of the teaching profession.

Profession is derived from the word “profiteor” meaning to profess or to recognize or to own up or to agree or knowledge. The implication here is that a professional is a person who possesses knowledge of something and has a commitment to a particular set of values both of which are generally well accepted characteristics of professions. Teachers are professionals with knowledge and commitment. They possess a particular set of values and qualities.

In its broadest sense, teaching is a process that facilitates learning. Teaching is the specialized application of knowledge, skills and attributes designed to provide unique service to meet the educational needs of the individual and of society. The choice of learning activities whereby the goals of education are realized in the school is the responsibility of the teaching profession.

In addition to providing students with learning opportunities to meet curriculum outcomes, teaching emphasizes the development of values and guides students in their social relationships. Teachers employ practices that develop positive self-concept in students. Although the work of teachers typically takes place in a classroom setting, the direct interaction between teacher and student is the single most important element in teaching. By going on through the duties and responsibilities of a teacher, we can significantly acknowledge that teaching is a profession.

Teacher as a Mentor

The word mentoring represents close relationship. A mentor is an angel guardian and teacher. The notion of mentoring is very ancient. The original Mentor was described by Homer as the ‘wise and trusted counselor’ whom Odysseus left in charge of his household during his travels.

In modern times, the concept of mentoring has found application in almost every forum of learning. In academics, mentor is often used synonymously with faculty adviser. A fundamental difference between mentoring and advising is more than advising; mentoring is a personal, as well as, professional relationship.

 A mentoring relationship develops over an extended period, during which a student's needs and the nature of the relationship tend to change. A mentor will try to be aware of these changes and vary the degree and type of attention, help, advice, information, and encouragement that he or she provides.

In the broad sense, a mentor is someone who takes a special interest in helping another person develops into a successful professional. If a teacher is the mentor he or she is to take responsibly and interest to develop student a successful personality.   

The mentor teacher must possess certain qualities or skills. Other than the skills of a teacher, a mentor should possess the skills those given below:

Careful listening. A good mentor is a good listener. Hear exactly what the student is trying to tell you-without first interpreting or judging. Pay attention to the stdent and undertones of the student's words, including tone, attitude, and body language. When you think you have understood a point, it might be helpful to repeat it to the student and ask whether you have understood correctly. Through careful listening, you convey your empathy for the student and your understanding of a student's challenges. When a student feels this empathy, the way is open for clear communication and more-effective mentoring.

            The magic of listening allows mentors and mentees to get to know each other and informs the mentor on how they can be of assistance.

Keeping in touch: Keep regular contact-daily, if possible-to keep all your students on the ‘visinity’ to anticipate problems before they become serious. Don't assume that the only students who need help are those who ask for it. Even a student who is doing well could need an occasional, serious conversation. One way to increase your awareness of important student issues and develop rapport is to work with student organizations and initiatives. This will also increase your accessibility to students.

Respect: First and foremost, there must be respect between the mentor and the mentee. But respect doesn't form overnight—it takes time. A teacher must respect the student. A mentor teacher must respect more.  

Challenging and attending: Mentors must push their thinking and help to students in all the ways.

Collaboration, cooperation and cohesiveness: A monitor must have these skills and qualities. This critical step benefits everyone within the support system. These qualities are helpful to refine individuality. They are also mutually beneficial for teachers to work together because everyone will walk away with new and improved strategies, lessons, and ideas.

Reinforcing and appreciating: Success comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Mentor must identify and appreciate the students at all the walks of his or her life. Happiness of the students must be the aim of a mentor.

Truthfulness: Honesty is the foundation of any relationship. Tell the truth to others in a genuine way. Mentor has the opportunity to coach students through changes that will positively impact them. Help them learn the do’s and don'ts of many things like school politics, communication, and the many other little things.

Toleration, Sympathy and Empathy: Mentor must be able to render these skills.

Professional Ethics of Teacher

 Professional ethics is an associated factor of any profession. Teachers too have the professional ethics. Normally national ethics committees of the state are determining the professional ethics of teachers.  

Following are certain professional ethics applicable to teachers all over the world. We can derive certain deviated professional ethics applicable to different countries.

·         The professional teacher deals considerately and justly with each student, and seeks to resolve problems, including discipline, according to law and school policy.

·         The professional teacher does not intentionally expose the student to mocking.

·         As per the professional ethics, the teacher does not reveal confidential information concerning students, unless required by law.

·         Constructive effort to protect the student from conditions detrimental to learning, health, or safety.

·         Present facts without distortion, bias, or personal prejudice.

·         Apply, accept, or assign a position or a responsibility on the basis of professional qualifications, and adheres to the terms of a contract or appointment.

·         Maintain sound mental health, physical stamina, and social prudence necessary to perform the duties of any professional assignment.

·         Continue with professional growth. A good teacher is a good learner. So teacher should learn and should try to grow with qualities.

·         Do not intentionally misrepresent official policies of the school or educational organizations, and clearly distinguishes those views from his or her own personal opinions.

·         Honestly accounts for all funds committed to his or her charge.

·         Do not willfully make false statements about a colleague or the school system.

·         Do not interfere with a colleague's freedom of choice, and works to eliminate coercion that forces educators to support actions and ideologies that violate individual professional integrity.

·         Take efforts to communicate to parents all information that should be revealed in the interest of the student.

·         Understand and respect the values and traditions of the diverse cultures represented in the community and in his or her classroom.

·         Manifest a positive and active role in school/community relations.

Qualities of a Teacher (Social Science Teacher)

 A teacher must have all the qualities of a good human being. As teacher he or she must have some deviated qualities too. They are:

·         Integrity: a teacher must be a person with integrity. Indian values and ethical choices must be followed by a teacher.

·         Readiness to work

·         Patience and other  values

·         A good citizen

·         Sympathetic, empathetic and with all sort of such values.

·         Democratic

·         Ideal character

·         Interpreter of experiences

·         Try to be role model

A teacher must have some professional qualities too:

·         Good communicator

·         A good learner

·         Adaptable

·         Up to date

·         Technological fitness

·         Psychological fitness

·         Philosophical fitness

·         Sociological cultural fitness

·         Time sense and space sense

·         Map reading skills

Improving Professionalism

            To improve the professionalism a teacher must be dedicated for the  profession. He must be up to date.

·          A teacher can improve his professionalism by continuing as a good learner

·         Participation in seminars, workshops, and such other educational programmes are essential

·         Participate in in-service programmes organized by different agencies

·         Maintain close relation with agencies of education like peer groups, collogues, family, schools and etc

·         Maintain active relation and participation in cluster groups

·         Be active in research

·         Maintain academic innovations

·         Maintain pedagogic innovations

·         Active and effective relationship with students, colleagues and others

·         Be a good reader of news papers, magazines, periodical and etc

·         Identify and make use all the available resources

Accountability of Teachers

Accountability is an ethical concept. Accountability concerns with proper behavior and responsibilities of individuals and their actions towards other people and agencies.

The term accountability of a teacher is often used synonymously with the concepts of transparency, liability, answerability and other ideas associated with the expectations that others have on a teacher. Accountability is the answerability on one’s own actions towards others.

Bovens’ definition

Bovens’ (2005) defined accountability as: “A social relation in which a teacher feels an obligation (responsibility) to explain and to justify his or her conduct to some significant others”. The others include collogues, parents, policy makers, administers, other teachers, and above all students.

That simply defined relationship contains a number of elements involved in a process of the account giving. It includes an individual or organisation that needs to render an account to its stakeholders being responsible for its conduct.  

Methods for ensuring accountability

·         Greater transparency on actions ensures higher standards of accountability.

·         Trustworthy performances improve accountability

·         Understanding of duties and responsibilities will ensure accountability of a teacher.