Becoming a Teacher: Looking Forward and Backward at the Same
Time Collin College EDUC 1301 Dr. Nita Thomason Chapter 1
Slide 2
Teaching is the essential profession, the one that makes all
other professions possible. -from Promising Practices: New Ways to
Improve Teacher Quality, US Dept Ed report, 1998
Slide 3
Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Do I have what it takes to become a good educator of the very
young? What do I believe about how children learn? Why do I want to
work with children? How do I think about concepts such as equity,
diversity, and fairness? What personal qualities and abilities do I
possess that will make me successful in working with children? What
kind of teacher do I want to become? How will I demonstrate my
commitment to children through my work? What attitudes, skills,
traits do I believe are required to excel as a teacher?
Slide 4
Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 1 -
4
Slide 5
List three top reasons for considering a career in teaching BE
HONEST Share with a small group What motivations are common to many
people in the class? Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All
rights reserved. 1 - 5
Slide 6
List five strengths you possess List five challenges you
struggle with Share with the class as you are comfortable What
strengths and challenges are common to many people in the class?
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6
Slide 7
Story of you, as a student Attend preschool? At what age did
you start school? Did you walk, ride bus, get driven? Feelings on
entering school, classroom How did school smell, sound, look?
Earliest classroom memories
Slide 8
These drawings show how 3 perspectives on a classroom. What
would yours look like?
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Dentist Extract response from students Tour guide Set
itinerary, interpret, explore with group Sailor When wind blows in
the wrong direction, you change course Toolbox Give students
ability for lifelong learning Hill climber Stop often to check
everyones progress, keep group climbing Whats your metaphor?
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Describes your ideas about teaching & learning and how that
will guide practice Should be based on educational research Forms
important part of teaching portfolio (Lab Manuel gives
outline)
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A profession typically: Offers essential service to individual
& society Has unique body of content knowledge & skills
Makes decisions based on valid knowledge, principles, and theories
Requires formal training Uses professional assoc. to control
admissions, standards, licensing
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Teachers commitment to the student 1. Support independent
action in pursuit of learning 2. Offer access to different points
of view 3. Dont suppress or distort subject matter 4. Protect
student from harmful conditions 5. Dont allow student to be
embarrassed or disparaged 6. No discrimination on basis of race,
color, creed, sex, national origin, marital status, political or
religious beliefs, family, social or cultural background, sexual
orientation 7. Wont use professional relationship for private
advantage 8. Dont disclose student information unless required by
law or in service of compelling professional purpose
Slide 13
Teachers commitment to the profession 1. No lies or failure to
disclose on job applications 2. Offer fair representation of
professional qualifications 3. Dont help unqualified person enter
profession 4. Dont lie about a candidates qualifications 5. Dont
help anyone teach illegally 6. Dont disclose information about
colleagues unless required by law or in service of compelling prof.
purpose 7. Dont lie or gossip maliciously about colleagues 8. No
gifts/tips/favors that might influence prof. decisions
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Honor diversity Believe in worth & dignity of each person
Recognize importance of multiple truths, multiple expressions of
excellence Nurture democracy Adhere to highest ethical
standards
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Salaries improving; National Average is ~$45k; Texas Average is
~$40k Benefits retirement; health care; etc Status depends upon who
you ask Power - unique power over students Work Schedule - June,
July and August off; weekends off; work day is usually less than 8
hours Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 1
- 15
Slide 16
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16
Slide 17
Working with Students/Children Performing a Significant Social
Service Stimulation & Support from Fellow Teachers and other
Educators The Work of Teaching That feeling.. Copyright by Houghton
Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 1 - 17
Slide 18
Social atmosphere, the way students experience school
Orderliness, clarity & enforcement of rules Teaching practices,
diversity, relationships Halls friendly or silent? Nurturing vs.
authoritarian Values, Beliefs, and Traditions What behavior is
rewarded?
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Real encounters with children Coaching, mentoring, church
school, etc. Vicarious experience film, fiction, memoirs about
teachers Guidance advice from those who know you esp. educators
Reflection the most important source can you cut it? Copyright by
Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 1 - 19
Slide 20
Work in Groups of 4 Individually select three quotes from
handout that reflect your ideas about teaching. Come to a consensus
in your groups on which quote represents the group most, and then
least. Share with the class as requested Copyright by Houghton
Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 1 - 20
