MTS Code of Conduct

I look forward to being a teacher, and to becomming a member of the Manitoba Teacher's Society. I am a member as a student, but once I graduate I will be an official member as a professional teacher. Yay!
There are 13 standards in the MTS Code of Professional Practise. Many of them seem obvious and are easily understandable. But there are a few that seem a tad scary, and I hope that I am never in a position that calls for that standard:
A teacher or group of teachers makes only authorized representations to outside bodies on behalf of the Society or its local associations. Without the express permission of the Society, no member(s) conferring with outside bodies may explicitly or implicitly claim that they represent the Society or its local associations. Or
 A teacher neither applies for nor accepts a position which is included in a Society in-dispute declaration.
Although I am sure these things happen.
Another thing I am nervous about dealing with is child abuse. Right now it seems scary that I may have to deal with students who are faced with this. I want to be able to do the right thing and make sure these students have the best possible care. (I also think I will have to deal with my own emotional involvement).

I'm going to be a Professional

I think there are many factors that account to being a so-called professional. There is one idea that really sticks in my mind that I was told when I went out student teaching: the 3 B's - No boobs, not buttcrack, no belly. I think that is extremely important dressing professionally in the classroom, and I think even in our personal lives. Dress to impress, or at least dress appropriately.
There are a few other thoughts that were discussed in our class that I definitely think hold true to being a professional: never compromise your standards and values, going above and beyond your legal requirements, and plain and simple; do your best, mediocrity isn't acceptable when you can do better. There are probably many other aspects that I can name that qualify as being a professional teacher.
I think we should all consider these ideas when teaching since we will be in the spotlight of many children's lives. We will be the people that they look up to (besides parents, siblings, and other role models in their lives).

Sergiovanni's 4 Commitments to Professionalism
1. Commitment to caring
2. Commitment to practise in exemplary ways
3. Commitment to one's own practise but to the practise itself
4. Commitment to valued social ends

I really like these ideas. I think that they are vital when thinking of being professional in the teaching field. Or any field of professional nature. An article I read on Segiovanni's views stated that believes that "in order to improve, schools must adopt the metaphor of school as community rather than school as organization." I like that. I think that in order for students to succeed they need to feel like they are involved as a community rather than working for an organization.

Being a professional seems so daunting. But I think I am up for the task!

Professional vs Subject Knowledge

What a debate!
I think if our class could have been on the fence with this discussion many of us would have chosen that both professional and subject knowledge is important as a teacher. Since we were to split up as to what we thought was more important it made for quite the discussion. Many of us were passionate about what we chose, but both sides of the debate had very valuable ideas. Some of us just need to understand how to bring up our points (tone of voice, language both make a HUGE difference).
I think that it is extremely important to have subject knowledge as a teacher and to be passionate about the subject(s) that we are teaching because the kids will pick up on that. And they will probably enjoy it too, especially if you have that professional knowledge as well. To be a good teacher you need to know what you are teaching and how to teach it so that your kids will understand and learn.

Why Teach?

When I think about why I want to become a teacher I think about the teacher who inspired me to teach. She made a difference in my life, she went above and beyond her job to make learning fun and to get to know me, and she took an interest in what us students were doing beyond her classroom. That is what i strive to do and become when I am a teacher.
Don't get me wrong, teaching has it's benefits; weekends, holidays, and summers off. Fairly good salary (depending on where you teach). But teaching is much more then that. I hope to be a teacher that inspires my students, and that students look back on as an influential person in their life. I enjoy working with kids; I want them to learn and become great people.
I am definitely nervous about being in the public eye, but I think that I am low-key enough that I won't have to worry too much about doing something stupid to tarnish my name.

FISH Philosophy

Be there
Play
Make their day
Choose your attitude

The Fish Philosophy is a great idea and the video was very motivational and makes you wish that all places worked with the Fish philosophy in mind. But it is kind of unrealistic, I mean, can you be that positive every day at work? I know that if I get a short amount of sleep the next day I am tired and am not all that positive. I guess that would run into the idea of "Choose your attitude," and if you're tired you can choose to make the best of being awake early or whatever. I'm just saying that for me, good luck. I'll probably just be in a not so positive mood. It's not that I'm in a bad mood, I'm just less responsive, not cheery/bubbly, etc..
Anyways, back to the Fish Philosophy. I think it would be a great concept to try to integrate into the classroom. Maybe not to the full extent, but give the students and teachers the main ideas and see if they can become more positive like the guys from the Seattle Fish Market. But give them the option. Some people are unable to always have that face on, and thats okay. But to try and become a more positive, upbeat, cheerful person is something everyone should strive for.

photo © 2010 Benson Kua | more info (via: Wylio)

Favourite Teacher

The teacher that inspired me to finally become a teacher was Mrs. Murray. She was my grade 8 homeroom and French teacher. There had been times when I was in earlier grades when it crossed my mind, but it wasn't until her class that I finally decided it was what I wanted to do. She was an amazing person, she got to know her students, and built a relationship with each student and got to know them. Once when a student got beat up and was away from school for a few days, she had us make him a big get well card and she personally delivered it to him. In that sense she reminds me a lot of myself because I can sometimes get emotionally involved. 
She also baked us brownies every once in a while.
We started reading Harry Potter in her class, and ended up reading all 4 books (that was how many were written at the time). After reading she had a scavenger hunt for us to find/create different items and concepts from the book (such as Professor Quirrels turban, a wand, a cape). She made learning fun. She was my favorite teacher.