The title of this post is the title of a journal article written by Pamela A. Kramer (2003). She says that if teachers are to be considered professionals they must exhibit the characteristics of a professional namely A-Attitude, B-Behaviour and C-Communication. Hurst and Reding (2000 as cited in Kramer, 2003) identified a positive attitude as an essential component of professionalism.
A positive attitude is demonstrated when teachers do not allow their personal lives to interfere with their professional attitude; when having a bad day they do not project their bad mood onto students or their colleagues; they push aside outside concerns and focus on what's before them and not on the negatives; they do not whine when their perspectives are overlooked; they are assertive yet respectful; they demonstrate an attitude of self-confidence since a lack of it leads to social errors and unprofessional behaviours (Hurst & Reding , 2000).
As I read this article, I wondered how a Reading Specialist can benefit from these perspectives. Well the very nature of the job will involve quite a bit of interaction with persons at various levels, from students to principals to policy makers. If what we present (pedagogy) is not nested in professionalism, the valuable fruits of our labour will likely fall by the way side to be plucked by the birds or plundered by the scorching heat of quiet resistance and apathy. May all Reading Specialists take cognizance of the role that is demanded of us and should we feel professionally deficient, we can ingest a couple professional supplements along with our multivitamins. May we act wisely and allow the accumulation of knowledge to affect our hearts and our behaviour which would allow us to touch the hearts of others.
Victoria Cunningham
Kramer, P. (2003) ABC's of professionalism. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 22-25.
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