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Teaching is a profession comprised of professionals trained in the art of teaching, but being a professional means more than just having knowledge in a particular field. Professionalism is a package. It is a look with a meaningful purpose. To be treated like a professional, one must dress and act professionally.

Some schools have dress codes but they are not often enforced. Teachers work with children, potentially outside and on the floor. School is not the place to display one's physical attributes. Men should pull up their pants, tuck in their shirts, and avoid promoting their favorite team by constantly wearing sports related paraphernalia. Women should lower hemlines, pull up their shirts and lighten up on the make-up. Teachers are not working the nightshift for tips. They are educating little children and should adapt style preferences to suit their career choice.

Besides dressing accordingly, teachers need to behave appropriately. Be organized because there are many students to account for and help learn. Use different teaching methods that appeal to a variety of students. Continue learning. Embrace life and get the brain juices flowing. Children are dependent on educators to keep abreast of educational research and effective strategies. Talk in a calm tone and speak real words. Avoid um, like, ain't, and gonna. Most importantly, discuss only topics suitable for children's ears. They may not hear a teacher call, "Line up," but they never miss eavesdropping on an improper conversation.

Administrators stop holding tenure over the heads of teachers who have new thoughts to express. Running a school is demanding, wouldn't it be beneficial to hear what teachers think without them fearing denial of tenure? Schools like businesses should be permitted to declare a plan, set rules, and get rid of employees who refuse to comply with the missions and philosophy adopted by the institution. Employers want employees who share their goals. So, why should teachers stay on staff if not up to par?

To be fair, teaching is difficult. A brilliant math person does not necessarily know how to teach division to children with varying learning needs and styles. Parents great with their children do not automatically have the ability to organize and effectively instruct a classroom filled with a range of personalities and aptitudes. All those people against teachers, try it some day. Get ready to be judged based on an assessment that covers skills you may not have even been required to teach at your grade level and certainly had no part in creating.

To get respect as professionals and develop into stronger teachers, teachers should support one another. Form a think tank within your small public community. Share best practices. Make suggestions and follow through with plausible solutions. Administrators listen. Teachers will not feel like professionals if they can't voice their opinions. Businesses thrive because of fresh input so should schools. Maybe then, the teaching career would be treated with more respect.

Learn more about this author, Mandy Donoghue.
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