Growth of the Professional Educator Model - Professionalism Growth of the Professional Educator Model Professionalism Professional educators understand, value, practice and encourage lifelong learning. Professionalism requires knowledgeable and ethical behavior. Moreover, professional educators interact professionally with students, families and colleagues.
Professional educators value the scientific study of development, learning, and education.
Good teaching involves complex and sophisticated skills, built on a knowledge base that has expanded enormously in the last fifteen years. Effective educators critically evaluate and utilize research to engage in reflective teaching and related skills. Professional educators are able to articulate what they believe about students, learning, and the educator's role in the learning process. Graduates of programs must have opportunities to reflect and think critically, value scientific study, use and engage in research, and remain open to new ideas. The acquisition of this knowledge base will prepare professional educators for transferring educational theory into classroom instructional practices that will improve the quality of learning for all students.