PTS Name: Developing as a Professional Educator
Element: Balancing professional responsibilities and maintaining motivation
Indicators
As teachers develop, they may ask, “How do I…” or “Why do I…”:
- Reduce stress and maintain a positive attitude with students and colleagues?
- Challenge myself intellectually and creatively throughout my career?
- Deal with the isolation of teaching?
- Find support to balance professional responsibilities with my personal needs?
- Demonstrate professional conduct and integrity in the classroom and school community?
- Extend my knowledge about my professional and legal responsibilities for students’ learning, behavior and safety?
Descriptions
Examples may include, but are not limited to:
- Journaling daily to reflect on successes and challenges
- Inviting other teachers to plan units, discuss strategies to support struggling students, or spend time together at lunch
- Balancing time for work and relaxation
- Pursuing hobbies outside of teaching, and spending time with friends and relatives
- Asking for help when needed from colleagues, administrators, other school staff, family members, friends, etc.
- Resting, relaxing, rejuvenating
Problems of Practice
Challenges with this element frequently include:
- Devoting an immense amount of time to teaching and becoming a better teacher without maintaining a work-life balance
- Reacting emotionally to situations before thinking through a more professional response
- Isolating oneself from help and support