Disposition of the Effective Educator

The School of Education has identified eight dispositions with specific indicators that the effective professional educator displays.  The effective professional educator demonstrates a commitment to the following below.

Checklist (printable copy) 

1. Professional Ethics

• Maintaining my position as a positive role model for students and others in regular attendance, grooming, punctuality, and professional demeanor
• Demonstrating positive work habits and interpersonal skills, including a positive attitude, dependability, honesty, and respect for others
• Maintaining the standards of confidentiality regarding student information and communications
• Using sound judgment and thoughtful decision-making with consideration of the consequences

2. Collaboration

• Collaborating with other professionals to improve the overall learning of students
• Understanding and involving a wide variety of resources in the school, family, culture, and community to facilitate student learning

3. Diversity

• Recognizing students’ unique prior knowledge, life experiences, and interests as part of the context for student learning
• Understanding and involving a wide variety of resources in the school, family, culture, and community to facilitate student learning
• Providing equitable learning opportunities for all students

4. Self-Reflection

• Life-long learning and personal growth through reflection, seeking constructive feedback, and willingness to learn from others and past experience
• Using analysis and reflection to assess and plan for student learning

5. Belief in Students' Ability to Learn

• Promoting achievement of students at all levels
• Understanding and involving a wide variety of resources in the school, family, culture, and community to facilitate student learning
• Developing students’ skills as problem-solvers as they progress toward becoming independent, self-directed learners
• Effective planning and classroom organization as tools in maximizing the time available for instruction and learning

6. Technology

• Understanding and involving a wide variety of resources in the school, family, culture, and community to facilitate student learning
• Using analysis and reflection to assess and plan for student learning

7. The Teaching Profession

• Accepting responsibility for what occurs in my classroom and for other school-wide responsibilities that contribute to student learning and a safe, orderly environment
• Using sound judgment and thoughtful decision-making with consideration of the consequences
• Life-long learning and personal growth through reflection, seeking constructive feedback, and willingness to learn from others and past experience
• Participating in professional growth activities within and outside the school

8. Professional Growth

• Participating in professional growth activities within and outside the school
• Life-long learning and personal growth through reflection, seeking constructive feedback, and willingness to learn from others and past experience