Your Introduction to Education: Explorations in Teaching, 2e Sara Davis Powell ©2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 1: Teachers and the Teaching Profession

© 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-2 Focus Questions Who teaches in the United States and why? How do we prepare to teach Is teaching a profession? What are the characteristics of effective teachers?

Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e Powell © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-3 Deciding to Teach Desire to work with young people Value of education to society Interest in subject matter Influence of a teacher Long summer vacation Influence of family Job security Opportunity for a lifetime of self-growth

Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e Powell © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-4 How Do We Prepare to Teach? Bachelor’s degree: 4-year undergraduate teacher preparation program including student teaching/clinical internship Fifth-year program candidates complete a major other than education and stay for a fifth year for education courses and student teaching. Master of Arts in Teaching: a graduate program for candidates with college degrees in a non-education major that includes initial teacher preparation with student teaching Alternative paths to teacher preparation vary by state and often grow out of specific needs. Teach for America recruits individuals to teach in rural or urban schools.

Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e Powell © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-5 What Is Teacher Professionalism? 1. Provides an essential service that no other group can provide. 2. Requires unique knowledge and skills acquired through extensive initial and ongoing study/training. 3. Involves intellectual work in the performance o duties. 4. Individual practitioners are committed to service and continual competence. 5. Identified performance standards guide practice. 6. Self-governance in admitting, policing, and excluding members. 7. Allows for a considerable amount of autonomy and decision- making authority. 8. Members accept individual responsibility for actions and decisions. 9. Enjoys prestige, public trust. 10. Granted higher-than-average financial rewards.

Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e Powell © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-6 Professional Associations Provide leadership and support for teachers Some serve the general teaching population, while others are specific to a grade level or subject area Most solicit members, hold annual conferences, publish materials, provide information, and advocate for the teaching and learning process NEA and AFT are unions that represent their members in collective bargaining Each subject area has a professional organization that provides guidelines and information

Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e Powell © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-7 Teacher Professionalism Teachers commit to making students their first priority. Teachers commit to quality in their relationships and interactions with students, colleagues, administrators, and families. Teachers commit to continual growth. Phelps, 2003

Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e Powell © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-8 What Are the Characteristics of Effective Teachers? Effective teachers… meet standards set forth by accepted organizations. make a difference in the lives of their students. realize that effective teachers have many different attributes and use a variety of strategies that lead to student learning. understand that increased effectiveness often comes with experience.

Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e Powell © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-9 What Students Say About Teacher Effectiveness Effective teachers… push students to learn. maintain order. are willing to help. explain until everyone understands. vary classroom activities. try to understand students. Corbett and Wilson, 2002

Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e Powell © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Concluding Thoughts Teaching is a life-affirming cycle. Teaching is a journey that gains momentum with time. Teaching will compel you to grow as a person and as an educator.