4D: Participating in a Professional Community
This component focuses on getting involved in the professional community. While teachers must be professional in the classroom, they must bring that professionalism out of the class to learn more. Being in a professional community allows one to have relationships with colleagues, the school and the culture in the school.
It is important to join this community because teachers can always learn more. Gaining that knowledge can come from colleagues, the school, or other educators around the world. By communicating with our colleagues, it develops a positive, encouraging and supportive environment. With this environment, teachers can work with each other to lead programs or events in the school, and co-teach lessons to the students. Taking on leadership roles in the school is also very important. Taking charge of a school committee, attending conferences, and keeping up with website blogs on education, help in developing as a teacher. Helping the school itself is also beneficial to both the teacher and school, by promoting leadership skills while making the school a better place.
It is important to join this community because teachers can always learn more. Gaining that knowledge can come from colleagues, the school, or other educators around the world. By communicating with our colleagues, it develops a positive, encouraging and supportive environment. With this environment, teachers can work with each other to lead programs or events in the school, and co-teach lessons to the students. Taking on leadership roles in the school is also very important. Taking charge of a school committee, attending conferences, and keeping up with website blogs on education, help in developing as a teacher. Helping the school itself is also beneficial to both the teacher and school, by promoting leadership skills while making the school a better place.
Elements:
- Relationships with Colleagues
- Involvement in a Culture of Professional Inquiry
- Service to the School
- Participation in School and District Projects
Examples of Artifacts:
Taking Leadership in an Organization:
This gives a teacher an opportunity to grow in leadership skills as well as connect to the students and their families. An example is Reading Olympics; it is a great organization that encourages reading good, quality books by giving out rewards. |
Taking Leadership in a Club:
Similarly to an organization, clubs give a more personal connection to students. It helps teachers with organization and experiencing a wonderful opportunity to enjoy time with students doing something they love. One example is the Robotics club; students explore their minds, collaborating with one another to develop their technology and problem solving skills. The teacher can gain knowledge by this, while learning to guide the students in the right direction. |
Coaching a Sport:
Couching a sport, like field hockey, is a way to get involved in the community. Besides watching students grow in the classroom, teachers can be a part of their outside of class activities. They can get to know the students and their families, communicating with them. |
Danielson, C. (2007). Enhancing professional practice a framework for teaching (2nd ed.). Alexandria, Va.: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.