Maintaining Professionalism in Schools Is Essential

Maintaining Professionalism in Schools Is Essential Professionalism is an underrated quality that every educator and school employee should possess. Administrators and teachers represent their school district and should do so at all times in a professional manner. This includes being mindfully aware that you are still a school employee even outside of school hours. Building and maintaining relationships are key components of professionalism. This includes relationships with your students, parents, other educators, administrators, and support personnel. Relationships often define success or failure for all educators. Failing to make deep, personal connections can create a disconnect which impacts effectiveness. For educators, professionalism includes personal appearance and dressing appropriately. It also includes how you talk and act both inside and outside of school.  In many communities, it includes what you do outside of school and whom you have relationships with. As a school employee, you must keep in mind that you represent your school district in everything that you do.   All school employees must always be aware that they are almost always being watched by students and other community members. When you are a role model and authority figure for children, how you carry yourself matters. Your actions can always be scrutinized.  The following policy is designed to establish and promote a professional atmosphere among the faculty and staff. Professionalism Policy All employees are expected to adhere to this policy and to at all times maintain professionalism such that an employee’s behavior and action(s) are not harmful to the district or workplace and such that an employee’s behavior and action(s) are not harmful to working relationships with teachers, staff members, supervisors, administrators, students, patrons, vendors, or others. Staff members who take a sincere professional interest in students are to be commended. The teacher and administrator who inspires, guides, and helps students can have a lasting influence on students throughout their lives. Students and staff members should interact with each other in a warm, open, and positive fashion. However, a certain distance must be maintained between students and staff in order to preserve the businesslike atmosphere necessary to achieve the educational mission of the school. The Board of Education considers it obvious and universally accepted that teachers and administrators are role models. The district has a duty to take steps to prevent activities which adversely intrude into the educational process and which could lead to undesirable consequences. In order to maintain and preserve the appropriate environment necessary to achieve the educational mission of the school, any unprofessional, unethical, or immoral behavior or action(s) harmful to the district or workplace, or any such behavior or action(s) harmful to working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, administrators, students, patrons, vendors or others may lead to disciplinary action under applicable disciplinary policies, up to, and including termination of employment.