Standard 6 - Developing as a Professional Educator 

Teachers reflect on their teaching practice to support student learning. They establish professional goals and engage in continuous and purposeful professional growth and development. They collaborate with colleagues and engage in the broader professional community to support teacher and student learning. Teachers learn about and work with families to support student learning. They engage local communities in support of the instructional program. They manage professional responsibilities to maintain motivation and commitment to all students. Teachers demonstrate professional responsibility, integrity, and ethical conduct.

6.1 - Reflecting on teaching practice in support of student learning

As teachers develop, they may ask, “How do I…” or “Why do I…”

• assess my growth as a teacher over time?
• learn about teaching as I observe and interact with my students?
• reflect on my instructional successes and dilemmas to move my practice forward?
• analyze my teaching to understand what contributes to student learning?
• formulate professional development plans that are based on my reflection and analysis?
• develop awareness of potential bias that might influence my teaching or affect student learning?

6.2 - Establishing professional goals and engaging in continuous and purposeful professional growth and development

As teachers develop, they may ask, “How do I…” or “Why do I…”

• maintain an attitude of lifelong learning?
• establish goals and seek out opportunities for professional growth and development?
• ensure that professional goals are informed by appropriate resources such as the knowledge base for teaching, school and district priorities, colleagues, supervisors, mentors, and my personal reflections?
• use professional literature, district professional development, and other professional opportunities to increase my understanding of teaching and learning?
• learn more about my own professional roles and responsibilities? continue to seek out and refine approaches that make the curriculum accessible to all students?
• expand my knowledge and effective application of new instructional methods and technologies?

6.3 - Collaborating with colleagues and the broader professional community to support teacher and student learning

As teachers develop, they may ask, “How do I…” or “Why do I… ”

• collaborate with teachers, administrators, education specialists, paraeducators, and staff to ensure that all students' diverse learning needs, interests, and strengths are met?
• remain receptive to the feedback of colleagues, mentors, and supervisors in support of my teaching practice and student learning?
• support school and district goals and priorities?
• contribute to school-wide events, activities, and decision-making?
• establish and maintain productive relationships with other school staff to become a visible and valued member of the school and district communities?
• contribute to the learning of other educators?
• benefit from and contribute to professional organizations to improve my teaching?
• benefit from and add to the knowledge base of the profession?

6.4 - Working with families to support student learning

As teachers develop, they may ask, “How do I…” or “Why do I…”

• value and respect students' families and appreciate their role in student learning?
• develop an understanding of families' racial, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds?
• engage families as sources of knowledge about students' strengths, interests, and needs in support of their learning and personal growth and development?
• present the educational program to all families in a thorough and comprehensible fashion?
• provide opportunities for all families to participate in the classroom and school community?
  
  

6.5 - Engaging local communities in support of the instructional program 

As teachers develop, they may ask, “How do I…” or “Why do I…”

• increase my understanding of the cultures and dynamics of my students' communities?
• value and respect the students' communities and appreciate the role of community in student learning?
• promote collaboration between school and community?
• identify and draw upon school, district, and local community social service resources to benefit students and their families?
• seek out and use additional resources from the local community and businesses to support student learning?
• provide my students with community-based experiences that support their learning?

6.6 - Managing professional responsibilities to maintain motivation and commitment to all Students

• As teachers develop, they may ask, “How do I…” or “Why do I…”
• challenge myself intellectually and creatively throughout my career?
• find support and develop strategies to balance professional responsibilities with my personal needs?
• manage stress and maintain a positive attitude with students and colleagues?
• address the complications and challenges of teaching?
• identify sources of engagement and renewal in my professional work?

6.7 - Demonstrating professional responsibility, integrity, and ethical conduct 

As teachers develop, they may ask, “How do I…” or “Why do I…”

• remain informed of, understand, and uphold the professional codes, ethical responsibilities, and legal requirements applicable to the profession?
• contribute to school and student success by being knowledgeable of learning goals, standards, and objectives established by relevant national, state, and local organizations and stakeholders?
• meet my professional obligations to implement school, district, state, and federal policies and guidelines?
• extend my knowledge about my professional and legal responsibilities for students' learning, behavior, and safety?
• maintain professional conduct and integrity in the classroom and school community?
• interact appropriately with students and families outside the classroom?
• demonstrate my professional obligations to students, colleagues, school, and the profession?