1. IN HOME ECONOMICS Norma Maynard (Consultant , CAHE)
PROFESSIONALISM IN
HOME ECONOMICS
Norma Maynard
(Consultant , CAHE)

2. Home Economics
a profession with a long history at the local, regional and international level.
IFHE on August 1, 2008 celebrated its centennial anniversary
AAFCS will be holding its centennial celebrations (100th Annual Conference and Expo) June 9, 2009
CAHE was inaugurated in 1972, and is now in its 37th year of operation

3. Home Economics defined:
“Home Economics is a field of study and a profession, situated in the human sciences, that draws from a range of disciplines to achieve optimal and sustainable living for individuals, families and communities.” .

4. Historical origins -
place Home Economics in the context of the home and household.
extended in the 21st century to include the wider living environments. WHY?
the capacities, choices and priorities of individuals and families impact at all levels, ranging from the household, to the local and also the global. (Glocal – global and local)

5. Profession/professional/ism
“a vocation requiring knowledge of some department of learning or science”;
Professional
one who follows ‘an occupation as a means of livelihood or gain,’ or one who is ‘engaged in one of the learned professions’. .
Professionalism
being exhibited by the ‘professional character, spirit or methods’ or the ‘standing, practice or methods of a professional as distinguished from an amateur’.
is both an individual characteristic and an ideological position.

6. Professionalism
the skill, competence, standards expected of a member of a profession
undeviating courtesy, honesty and responsibility.

7. “Teacher Professionalism”
“…the ability to reach students in a meaningful way, developing innovative approaches to mandated content, while motivating, engaging and inspiring young adults minds to prepare for ever advancing technology”.

9. Characteristics of Professionals
are considered experts
have a high degree of generalised and systematic knowledge with a theoretical base
have a high degree of self control of their behaviour
are governed by a Code of Ethics
(Source:

10. Characteristics of Professionals
Competence
Performance
Conduct
(Source:

11. Competence Is displayed through: Preparation
A strong knowledge of the subject area that allows for preparation of innovative teaching/delivery techniques
The acquisition of pedagogical techniques that the he/she considers most effective.
Pedagogy is the act/practice/art/science of teaching.

12. Four dimensions or areas of practice
Home Economics can be clarified
As an academic discipline….
As an arena for everyday living….
As a curriculum area…
As a societal arena…
To be successful in these 4 areas means
that the profession is constantly evolving and that there will always be new ways of performing the profession.
Need for expert novices – good at learning new things.

13. Competencies for HEc Pro
Mastery of theoretical knowledge
Capacity to solve problems
Ability to create knowledge as well as possess it
Application of theoretical knowledge to practice
Enthusiasm and commitment to clients
Commitment to continuous learning about the profession

14. University of Northern Iowa Professional Teacher Competencies.
Knowledge of Content and Skills Areas
Knowledge of learners and the learning Process
Instructional Planning
Use of Instructional Strategies
Learning Environment and Classroom Management
Use of Communication Strategies
Assessing/Diagnosing/Evaluating Strategies

15. INI Competencies….
Home School Community Relations
Use of Motivation Strategies
Use of Problem Solving/Decision Making Strategies
Use of Technology
Use of Multicultural Gender Fair Strategies
Human Relations Skills
Professional Characteristics/Personal Qualities

16. In Teacher Professionalism
Competence is essential
Through Performance a professional effectively teaches concepts and learners are seen to apply these to their daily lives
Conduct is demonstrated… “from aesthetics to language to behaviour”.
Includes one’s ability to initiate and maintain quality communication with all parties in education

17. Expectations Professionals are expected to:
Establish a special relationship with clients or patrons.
Have a lack of self interest.
Be involved in all aspects of the profession.
Publicise what the profession ‘does’ and ‘is’.

18. Education
Unique training – extensive period, a combination of formal education, training and apprenticeship; usually in a higher education environment
Formal education
Achieving credentials
Activity in continuing education opportunities – lifelong learning**
Joining and actively involving your self in professional associations, locally, regionally and internationally. (CAHE, IFHE)

19. Responsibilities:
Maintain associations which advance the goals of the profession
Promote the well being of the profession’s members
Develop standards for themselves and their institutions – Best Practices
Publish information and research to explain the profession’s uniqueness
Make sacrifices…..

20. Focus Home Economics professionals are:
advocates for individuals, families and communities
concerned with the empowerment and well being of individuals, families and communities
concerned with facilitating the development of attributes for lifelong learning for paid, unpaid and voluntary work and living situations.
IFHE Position Statement

21. CAHE’s Mission Statement
‘to improve the standard of living for individuals, families and communities…

22. Sustainability of Home Economics
Foundation must be solid
Future directions must be carefully charted
‘Future proofing’ is necessary for our focus in the decade ahead.
Build and enrich Communities of Practice (CoPs)
Seek collective empowerment….

23. Future proofing defined:
anticipating future developments to minimize negative impacts and optimize opportunities
an elusive process of trying to anticipate future developments so that action can be taken to minimize possible negative consequences and to seize opportunities.

24. Future proofing the profession
Being able to have a continuous future in not just academia but also in the everyday lives of individuals, families, communities and societies.
Creating a future for the profession with a repertoire of strategies to adapt, grow and lead the home economics profession into an increasingly sophisticated and globalised future.

25. Are you a professional?
A professional looks, speaks and dresses like a professional. An amateur is sloppy in appearance and speech.
A professional completes projects as soon as possible. An amateur is surrounded by unfinished work piled on top of unfinished work.
A professional uses high emotional tones: enthusiasm, cheerfulness, interest, contentment. An amateur uses lower emotional tones: anger, hostility, resentment, fear, victim.
Anything you do, do it as a Professional to Professional standards.
Develop the frame of mind that whatever you do, you are doing it as a professional and move up to professional standards in it.
Source:

27. THANK YOU NORMA MAYNARD
QUESTIONS /COMMENTS
THANK YOU
NORMA MAYNARD