Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:

• Explain professionalism.
• Identify professional behaviour.
• Explain why ethics and responsibility matter.
• Distinguish professional and unprofessional behaviour.

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🎥 TEACHING SCRIPT

Instructor:

“We have reached the final lesson in Module 1.

We’ve discussed teaching, the role of teachers and the qualities of effective teachers.

Now let’s discuss something that can determine whether people trust a teacher:

Professionalism.

What does it mean to be professional?

Being professional means carrying out your responsibilities with competence, integrity, respect and responsibility.

For a teacher, professionalism can be seen in everyday behaviour.

For example:

A professional teacher comes prepared for lessons.

A professional teacher respects students.

A professional teacher arrives on time.

A professional teacher treats student information responsibly.

A professional teacher does not deliberately humiliate students.

A professional teacher accepts constructive criticism.

A professional teacher continues learning.

Let’s consider an example.

Imagine a teacher frequently arrives late.

When the teacher eventually enters the classroom, students are already waiting.

The teacher then complains that students are not punctual.

Is that professional?

No.

Teachers should demonstrate the behaviour they expect from learners.

Professionalism also involves fairness.

Suppose two students submit similar assignments.

One is your favourite student and the other is a student you don’t particularly like.

You should not give the favourite student a higher mark simply because you like them.

Assessment should be based on clear criteria.

Professionalism also involves confidentiality.

Teachers may have access to information about students that should not be casually shared with others.

Finally, professionalism means accepting that teaching is a responsibility.

You are dealing with people who are developing intellectually, socially and emotionally.

Therefore, your words and actions can have a lasting effect.

Always remember:

Students may forget some of the lessons you teach, but they may remember how you treated them.

That is why professionalism matters.”

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STUDENT NOTES

What Is Professionalism?

Professionalism is the demonstration of appropriate knowledge, behaviour, responsibility, ethics and conduct while performing one’s professional duties.

Examples of Professional Teacher Behaviour

A professional teacher:

• Arrives prepared.
• Is punctual.
• Communicates respectfully.
• Treats learners fairly.
• Maintains appropriate boundaries.
• Protects confidential information.
• Gives honest feedback.
• Accepts constructive criticism.
• Continues professional development.
• Takes responsibility for mistakes.

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Unprofessional Behaviour

Examples include:

• Regularly arriving late without justification.
• Showing favouritism.
• Humiliating students.
• Being dishonest.
• Ignoring student needs.
• Sharing confidential student information irresponsibly.
• Refusing to improve teaching practices.
• Using inappropriate language toward students.

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CASE STUDY

The Favourite Student

Mr. Bello teaches 30 students.

One of his students, Daniel, is his favourite because Daniel participates actively.

Another student, Ibrahim, rarely participates.

Both students submit assignments of similar quality.

Mr. Bello gives Daniel 90% and Ibrahim 65%.

Questions

1. Is this professional?
2. What principle has been violated?
3. What should Mr. Bello have done?

Model Answer

No, this is not professional.

The teacher has allowed personal preference to influence assessment.

The teacher should assess both students using the same clear criteria and marking standards.