The professional science teacher

Profession

The term profession stands for an occupation which requires some specialized study and training and the purpose of which is generally to provide skilled services and guidance. A profession is a calling and implies acquisition of a fond of knowledge, range skills and their application in service of humanity. They services rendered by a professional may be direct as will the case of teachers and doctors or indirect as is in the case of teacher educators, ie. Teacher of a teacher. It is a paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.

Profession - Definition

According to Halliday 'a profession in an occupation with a set of competency based on knowledge acquired through many years of academic training, the goal of its members being a commitment to service guided by a code of ethics. It requires formal qualification, mastery of skills, specialized knowledge and prolonged training.

A professional is a skilled practitioner. "Teaching is a profession laden with risk and responsibility that requires a great deal from those who enter into it" - John I Goodlad

Characteristics of a profession

Defining profession is the most challenging task at hand in general and teaching as profession in particular. Redefining teaching as a profession is no less a critical task in the world of today where everyday the same age old concept gets a new meaning in the light of experiences emerging out of interactions and confrontations with changed meaning of life. However, some characteristics of profession can be enumerated that are found to be relevant towards determining its existence as a profession.

1. A profession requires specialised knowledge with extensive training and an advanced level of intellectual skills in carrying out its service to society.

2. A profession provides an essential service that is both unique and definite to society and only the people within that profession should provide the service. For instance, only doctors practice surgery in this country as opposed to a variety of individuals who believe they have the skill.

3. Members of a profession enjoy a considerable degree of autonomy and decision-making power. They are largely free of closely supervised performance. Members of a profession primarily make their own decisions and regulate their own activities.

4. Members of a profession are required to accept personal responsibility for their actions and decisions.

5. A profession is responsible for monitoring its own members and self-governing. The implications of the previous statement make it essential for professional groups to perform various duties to keep the level of their services high and to watch for the economic and social well–being of the members of the profession.

6. A code of ethics exists within a profession that sets out acceptable conduct for its members. The existence of this code is necessary to enforce a level of high standards.

7. A profession emphasises the services it provides over the financial rewards.

8. It is generally agreed that members of a profession not only get paid for their work, but receive a high salary commensurate with the time and effort required to obtain their specialised knowledge and skills.

9. Society must recognise an occupation as a profession.

10. A profession is considered a lifework or terminal occupation. Those involved usually stay in the field for the rest of their careers.

11. Professional development of a person in a profession is a continuous process.

It is important to remember that a profession needs not have all the above characteristics we have discuss above. Many professions do not satisfy all of the characteristics. You can reflect on the nature and dynamics of action of a teacher as a professional. Teacher needs to recognise herself as a professional endowed with the necessary knowledge, attitude, competence, commitment, enthusiasm, spirit of seeking new ways and means of dealing with teaching-learning situations and capability of reflection on her own practices. She should be sensitive and perceptive not only to the learners and the institution but also the emerging concerns in a larger social perspective within which one functions.