The teacher models behaviors associated with leadership and assumes appropriate leadership roles. He/she encourages stakeholder feedback and utilizes opportunities to enhance the educational environment. The teacher promotes student learning, and effectively collaborates with learners, families, colleagues, and community members to ensure students growth and academic progress. He/she seeks opportunities to improve the classroom atmosphere and advance the teaching profession.
A teacher models this standard in three very important ways. The first is by participating in grade level weekly planning meetings. The second is by working closely with remediation instructors and other educational service providers. A third is by supporting the relationship between a school and the community it serves.
Teachers spend a great deal of time planning for instruction; and it is important that they make sure the instructional plan is in accordance with pacing guidelines and coordinated with grade level objectives. Simply put, all grade level teachers need to be on the same page from an instructional planning standpoint. It is essential to provide consistent instruction to students in order to create a uniform learning experience, this is a vital component in educational equity. I model this standard by attending weekly grade level instructional planning meetings.
Teachers also need to work closely with other educators to provide a students total education experience. A student studies a variety of subjects, some of which require specialized instruction; other students have specific needs that require other educational services. I display this standard by coordinating and communicating with my students other subject teachers, along with co-taught situations that result in a colleague dropping into class or pulling a student from class.
Teachers must also support the relationship between the school and the community it serves. A quality education and positive environment a reflective of the school and indirectly the surrounding community. Parental involvement is always a welcome addition to helping a student reach their educational objectives; but teacher involvement is imperative. A teacher should take a vested interest in their students by learning not just how they learn, but how they like to learn and learn best. I demonstrate interest in my students and form a genuine collaborative learning environment through parental communication.
For further reading see the link to my paper on Professionalism below.