My Professional Disposition Toward Faculty and Staff in my Building

Problem: I teach my students, others should stay out of my business and I'll stay out of theirs.

Some teachers see there job as similar to a job on the factory line. They do their job, but don't think much about what other teachers are doing. With a social justice perspective on teaching, I cannot exist in the bubble of my own personal fiefdom. My students will benefit from any coordination of concepts and content with other teachers I can do. My students will benefit if I learn about them from others who work with them on a daily basis. My students will benefit if all teachers have the same high expectations for their success.

As hinted above, my role is twofold regarding interaction with colleagues. First, I need to encourage the 'warm demander' perspective among all of my peers, so students will get the consistent message that they can and will succeed with teacher support. I also need to work to collaborate with my colleagues to create interdisciplinary opportunities to learn concepts across different classes. Collaboration should also extend to working to figure out the best ways to support all students by working with TAs, Special Ed. instructors, and peers to co-plan and coordinate instruction.

My self-assessment Rubric: Do I work with my peers for my students' learning?

Problematic

• I teach my kids, others should stay out of my business and I’ll stay out of theirs

Working on it

• I collaborate and seek advice when I need it

Transformative

• I seek advice and collaborate with peers often
• I work to develop interdisciplinary units with peers
• I encourage a ‘warm demander’ perspective in my peers
• I am an available resource to my peers