...O is for Omnipotent, P is for Professional...(The ABC's of Teacher Qualities)

As I sit here in my fuzzy purple housecoat, sipping on herbal tea and munching on apple slices, I ponder what it means to be a professional (and how awesome it would be if I had real food in my apartment).

PROFESSIONALISM...What does it mean to me?  When I was asked this question in class, I was quite surprised by how stumped I was.  "Umm, well, it means to be...ahh, ummm, professional."  As our group talked it through we came up with some pretty good descriptive words, but I still didn't feel as though I had fully grasped the essence of the term.  After spending the weekend with four of the most special people that I know, I think I have come up with a definition that is wholly my own.

My Dad is one of the most remarkably professional people I know.  He is incredibly hard-working and driven.  My father is the guy that every employer wishes they had on their team (unfortunately for all of you employers out there, he is a die-hard farmer who only works for himself...and my mother of course : P).  It doesn't matter if it's -50 or +40 degrees celsius, my father is out there pulling calves and building bins, whatever needs to be done.  If he didn't have such an impressive appetite, we might not have seen much of him as kids.  He gives 110% to every job that he takes on, making sure that he gets it done right.  If he's unsure of how to do something, he will figure it out.  He takes his time to ensure that the job is done properly.  My Dad has many impressive qualities, but there are two I admire above all: 

Honesty is always the best policy.  This is my father's guiding principle in life, something he preached to my siblings and I from day one.  He treats everyone in his life with respect and courtesy, and in turn, all who know him admire and respect him. 

Patience is the companion of wisdom - St. Augustine.  My father is the most remarkably patient person I have ever known (and most likely ever will know).  His calm and relaxed manner have served our family well over the years, when he has had to put up with three highly energetic and inventive children, a chronically late wife, pushy pigs, too many cows, and many other situations which I shall not acquaint others with here, but make me realize what a saint my father is.  If I have ended up with a fraction of my father's patience, I am going to be a heck of a teacher, let me tell you.  Nothing is going to faze this lady.

Despite her serious inability to arrive anywhere on time (luckily she's a charmer, so no one can stay mad at her for long), my mother is the person I most aspire to be like.  She is thoughtful, friendly, intelligent, meticulous with detail...the list goes on and on.  One of my favourite things about my Mom is that she always looks the part.  She looks like a Mom.  She looks amazing in coveralls and rubber boots when she's being a farmer, and she looks like a teacher when she goes to school.  Image is important, whether we like it or not.  Even children will judge you (sometimes the harshest) based on how you put yourself together. The best thing about my Mom, however, is how much she cares.  She is an Educational Assistant, and I am pretty sure the teachers and students she works with are the luckiest ones in Manitoba.  She cares about her job, about her colleagues, and above all, about the students she works with.  She is constantly thinking about ways she can improve herself in regards to her work.  She pays close attention to detail, and is always looking out for the best interests of her students.  She commits herself to her job and the people she works for with such merit, it inspires me. 

My sister.  I am certain it will make her ( and her husband, our parents, our brother, most people who know her..) giggle to know that I am including her in my definition of professionalism, but she is one of a kind, and deserves this recognition.  I am pleased to say there is nobody in the world quite like my sister (which is a good thing, because the world certainly could not handle two of her).  Her commitment to her work is legendary in our part of the province.  She will bend over backwards for her employers and the people she serves.  I have seen her in action, and she really is a marvel to behold (I honestly watched her help some customers in the Credit Union one time while I was waiting for her to finish work, and I had to refrain  from bragging to the rest of the people in line that the amazing teller at the front was MY sister.)  She knows what she is doing.  No matter what job she has decided to tackle, she takes it seriously, and does her research.  Whether she is serving drinks at the bar (despite her personal choice not to consume alcohol, my sister knows every drink combination out there), advising Credit Union customers (this girl is a financial wizard I tell you, she has saved many a bank account), or arranging tables for a banquet (she has some serious style) my sister knows everything there is to know about it.  Although she is undoubtedly employee of the year no matter where she works, my sister is also aware of her personal rights in the workplace.  She is not afraid to stand up for herself, or for her fellow employees, when she feels something is inappropriate or wrong.  She knows who she is, and what her rights as a worker and as a Canadian citizen are.  In addition to many of the wonderful qualities I attributed to my parents which my sister also exemplifies, she is passionate, determined and confident.  She possesses so many of the outstanding attributes I hope to one day be able to put on my "Professional Qualities" list.

Last, but certainly not least, my little brother rounds out my definition of professionalism.  In addition to being one of my favourite people, he's also a great role model for professional character.  My brother is always eager to learn.  Self-growth and maturation are important for him, as they should be.  His employer this past summer described him as a sponge:  "He just soaks up everything you say, and then BAM!  He's got it!"  He knows that you have to evolve with the job, that you can't just get to a certain point and assume you know it all.  My brother recognizes that as human beings, we are never finished learning, and he doesn't want to be!  He's already looking into new programs he would like to get into after he graduates with his Agriculture diploma this spring.  My brother's most apparent quality (one, which beyond him, is not a strong point in our family, I'm afraid) is organization.  This kid is on top of things.  His room is clean and orderly.  He knows where his things are.  He makes use of his agenda, and is aware of upcoming tests and projects, school events, family get-togethers, and most importantly for a university student, social engagments.  He gets his sense of time management from his father (one essential component my sister and I missed out on - thanks Mom!), and never reneges on any of his commitments.  My brother's best attribute (while not at the top of my professionalism list, but certainly on my "Awesome Person" or "Great Teacher" description) is his sense of humour.  He has this wonderful ability to make everyone around him laugh, a skill which alludes me, but that I greatly admire.

There you have it.  I have most likely created the longest definition of professionalism ever, but it's a pretty hefty subject, once you really get into it.  I quite like Sergiovanni's Four Commitments to Professionalism:  Commitment to Caring, Commitment to Practice in Exemplary Ways, Commitment to One's Own Practice, But Also to the Practice Itself, and Commitment to Valued Social Ends, and think that my fabulous family exemplifies all these commitments and then some.

As I put on my fuzzy purple slippers and head to the kitchen to feed my cats in the hope that they will stop ripping apart my couch cushions, I reflect on my chosen career and all of the "professionalism" that is required of me.  Luckily for this lady, I am surrounded by exemplary professionals who will not hesitate to lavish me with guidance and support.