Saturday, December 10, 2011

PROFESSIONALISM IN TEACHER EDUCATION

PROFESSIONALISM IN TEACHER EDUCATION
Teacher professionalism has relevant significance in education in that it affects the role of the teacher and his or her pedagogy, which in return affects the student’s ability to learn effectively. It can be defined as the ability to reach students in a meaningful way, developing innovative approaches to mandated content while motivating, engaging, and inspiring young adult minds to prepare for ever-advancing technology.

However, this definition does little to exemplify precisely how a professional teacher carries himself or herself. Due to the growing autonomy being given to educators, professionalism remains one of the most influential attributes of education today. Teacher professionalism contains three essential characteristics, competence, performance, and conduct, which reflect the educator’s goals, abilities, and standards, and directly impact the effectiveness of teaching through the development of these qualities.

The four key points need to be focused to improve teaching profession :
1. There is a need to recognize teachers’ work as complex and demanding.
An improvement in teacher quality requires a re-conceptualization of initial teacher
education.
A re-conceptualization of initial teacher education is best based on a redefined
professionalism.
Redefined professionalism recognizes the intellectual dimension, a balance of autonomy,
control and responsibility, reflexivity, heteronomy and continuous learning as critical
attributes that define the 21st century teacher’s work

2. Innovative pathways in recruitment and continual innovation in teacher preparation
programmes are required.
Teacher preparation programmes need to broaden their entry requirements to diversify the
teaching corps and better represent diverse student populations.
Teacher preparation programmes require innovative recruitment pathways that allow entry
for “non-traditional” candidates.
Teacher preparation programmes require continual innovation to respond to changing needs.

3. Teacher education is enhanced by comprehensive teacher induction that fosters lifelong
learning.
Induction is a vital part in the formation of teacher professionalism and identity.
Induction is most effective when seen as a comprehensive system beyond just support and
assistance for beginning teachers.
Teacher education institutions need to prepare a comprehensive curriculum for beginning
teacher induction.
Effective professional development strategies seek the active involvement of teachers and are
largely school-based, developmental in nature and ongoing.

4. New designs for teacher education will need to rest on strong partnerships with key
stakeholders.
The best conditions for successful partnerships in teacher education occur when faculties of
education maintain close ties with schools, thus deeply engaging other faculties in the
university as well as strengthening community linkages in teacher preparation.
Principles and strategies must be put in place to ensure productive and successful
partnerships in teacher preparation.
- Chhabi Mohan

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