Professionalism – Michelle A. Esposito (Consorte)

Professional Practice Standard 6: Professionalism

The purpose of Virginia’s Professionalism standard is to make certain that all teachers understand how to act professionally and that teachers apply this understanding to their lives inside and outside of the classroom. The goal of this standard is a teacher should complete all work to the best of his/her ability, always be punctual, dress appropriately, speak and act in ways that benefit others, understand where to obtain specific resources, seek out new opportunities to augment professional knowledge, understand and be able to implement effective pedagogical and content-based practices, and assume responsibility for all actions. The objective of the Professionalism Standard can be evaluated by whether teachers maintain integrity, maturity, and honesty at all times.

Parent/Guardian Communication:

Educators must focus on building positive and professional relationships with parents/guardians through frequent and effective communication concerning students’ progress. This means that teachers and parent/guardians must work as a team. With productive communication that leads to equal support from school and home, students can wholly succeed.

Please click here to view a copy of the letter I distribute to parents on meet the teacher night. Please click here to view a copy of the letter I distribute to students on meet the teacher night in order to welcome them to my class.

Please click here to view a copy of the parent contact log I use to document all of my contact with parents. I communicate with all parents of students earning below a ‘C’ grade at three different points during each academic quarter, as well as when students are absent, and/or if students/parents have questions or concerns.

I use the Remind app to communicate deadlines and reminders to parents and students via text or email.

Google Calendar of assignments deadlines and upcoming events available to all students and parents/guardians. This calendar is also linked with Google Classroom for each class.

Extracurricular Activities:

Beyond curricular activities, educators should also seek to engage in activities outside the classroom intended for school and student enhancement. Being an active member of the community betters the school and can strengthen the bond between the school and its surrounding community. Creating opportunities for students to become active in the community also develops their sense of purpose, pride, and civic duty, making them well-rounded citizens.

I am the adviser to the Key Club at my current school. We complete many service projects throughout the year.

I am the vice president of the PTSA at the school where I currently teach. We support the betterment of the community through that of our students, teachers, and parents.

Professional Growth:

An educator must seek out professional growth opportunities then incorporate new knowledge or skills gained into instructional practice. Participating in on-going professional development gives teachers access to new, cutting-edge evidence-based practices, resources, and ideas. When teachers implement such new ideas into their classrooms students are provided with varied, effective, and engaging instructional practices to help them succeed.

I recently participated in an Ed Camp session with a group of my peers and found it extremely beneficial. I left the session with a wealth of new strategies to try provided by other professionals in my field.

Here is a link to view my Ed Camp certificate.

I participated in a Project CRISS training and currently employ many of the strategies discussed in my own classroom for my students’ benefit.

Thesis:

Please click here to access my paper on this professional practice standard as part of my thesis for my MAT degree from Hollins University.