Professional Commitments and
Dispositions
In addition to
assuring that graduates of initial and
advanced certification programs have
demonstrated sufficient knowledge and
skills for their level of preparation,
faculty within the professional
education unit expect graduates to
display dispositions that are important
for professional practice and
development. The unit has identified and
adopted a common set of dispositions
that apply to candidates across program
areas and across levels of
certification. Desired dispositions
fall into the following categories:
Legal and Ethical Conduct:
Behaves in a manner consistent with
standards of legal and ethical conduct
(e.g., professional conduct with
students, parents, colleagues,
professors, etc; academic conduct
consistent with UAB code, protecting
privacy and confidentiality)
Professional Conduct:
Recognizes and fulfills professional
responsibilities and habits of conduct
(e.g., dress, language, preparedness,
attendance, punctuality, composure,
honesty).
Sensitivity to Diversity:
Is sensitive to community and cultural
norms and is responsive to and
respectful of individual and cultural
differences and experiences.
Demonstrates the belief that all
students can learn and a commitment to
supporting the growth of all learners.
Safety and Well-being:
Demonstrates concern for, and protection
of, the safety and the well-being of
self, students, parents, and colleagues.
Acceptance of Feedback:
Is open and responsive to feedback from
others.
Commitment to Effective Communication:
Demonstrates thoughtful, effective
verbal and non-verbal communication and
listening.
Commitment to Collaboration:
Demonstrates a willingness to
collaborate with parents and others to
improve student learning and
development.
Commitment to Improving Teaching or
Professional Practice:
Demonstrates a commitment to continual
improvement through reflection, inquiry,
modifying instruction, and remaining
current in knowledge and professional
practice.
Commitment to the Profession:
Demonstrates a positive attitude and
commitment to the profession.
This list of categories
of dispositions and examples of
behaviors that are evidence of
deficiencies within each category are
provided to all candidates. While
candidates in some programs are
evaluated on the presence of these
dispositions prior to admission and
again during the internship or student
teaching experience, the primary
mechanism for evaluating dispositions is
the “Disposition Assessment Form” which
is completed whenever there is an
incident of deficiency within one or
more dispositional categories. Faculty,
staff, cooperating teachers, and
supervisors are provided with these
forms and encouraged to complete them on
a candidate when appropriate. If a form
must be completed, the candidate is
asked to sign and receives a copy of the
form. Details about the dispositional
assessment system are provided
elsewhere. |
