The Thirteen Commandments of Teaching

aka: Code of Professional practice
Ahh the rules. At first glance of the list, I was impressed with the simplicity of many of the expectations. We are being given one of the most rewarding jobs in society and being trusted to do so. Thus, the reason the first expectation is on the list: A teacher’s first professional responsibility is to her or his students.
So now we have read the rules, we have gone through the rules, and as teachers it is our job to follow them. It’s simple. Right? WRONG.
The conflict arises as I reflect on experiences as a student, as a colleague and as a teacher. I am sure most of us have been stuck in that awkward conversation in the staff room about a student…and you know its not appropriate…you don’t join in the conversation, but you just don’t have the nerve to get up and walk out. Or you have a confrontation with another colleague and you just so badly need to talk to your mom and ask her what to do before dealing with the issue. It seems innocent enough and quite honestly the instinctively thing to do.
When in reality you are actually GUILTY: Breaking rules #4,5,6,7,8.….and maybe more.
Geeze! All in a fifteen minute recess break.
No that does not make you a criminal. It just means you need to look over your definition of professionalism and get yourself a pocket sized laminated version of the Code of professional practice. Haha.
Now that I am aware of these expectations according to MTS, it is my job as a teacher to follow them. The examples I created were to show you how easy it is for professional behaviour to turn personal.