Educators act ethically and maintain the integrity, credibility and reputation of the profession.

So what does it mean to act professional and be a good role model not only for your students but also your profession?

You are a teacher both in and out of the classroom. As an educator you represent the school, school district, and the teaching profession. Professionalism is not a hat you can put on and off, its on at all times. It is important for educators to be mindful on how you represent yourself. As a role-model your actions will be watched and sometimes scrutinized. Therefore, how you carry and represent yourself matters.

Building and maintaining respectful relationships is an important component of teaching. Relationships with students, co-workers, families, communities etc all matter. Within these relationships is important to be mindful of the line between professional and personal lives. For educators this can be a difficult task because your professional and personal lives are so intertwined.

The importance of maintaining professionalism within the class is evident, however, maintaining professionalism outside the classroom is just as important. More specifically in todays eras online professionalism is crucial. Not only is it important to maintain professionalisms in and out of the classroom but also maintain online-professionalism. Unprofessional content online not only reflects poorly on yourself but also the profession. Everything you put in the internet leaves a digital footprint. Your social media can reflect who you are, so what do you want the public to see?

Maintaining professionalism does not mean you don’t get to go out and live your life, however, it just means to be mindful and what you do and what you share. You are a role-model, someone these students look up too. You can still share your life and who you are but think before posting if it something you want to represent.

I live in a small community so everyone knows everything about everyone. Living in a small community has its perks and disadvantages. In regards to professionalism, in a place where everyone knows you, your actions are in a spotlight and examined through a magnifying class. Being a teacher is an incredibly important and rewarding career which is why it is essential to maintain professionalism.