Professional Dispositions Assessment

Indicate your level of agreement with each statement listed below using the response
scale of 1-5. Use this assessment to inform your Professional Dispositions Statement.
1 = Strongly Disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Undecided 4 = Agree 5 = Strongly Agree
Professional Dispositions Criteria 1 2 3 4 5
I believe a teacher must use a variety of instructional
X
strategies to optimize student learning.
I understand that students learn in many different ways. X
I demonstrate qualities of humor, empathy, and warmth. X
I am a thoughtful and responsive listener. X
I assume responsibility when working with others. X
I believe that all students can learn. X
I believe it is important to involve all students in
X
learning.
I believe the classroom environment a teacher creates
X
greatly affects students' learning and development.
I view teaching as an important profession. X
I understand that teachers’ expectations affect student
X
learning.
I view teaching as a collaborative effort among educators. X
I understand that students have certain needs that must be
X
met before learning can take place.
I am sensitive to student differences. X
I communicate caring, concern, and a willingness to
X
become involved with others.
I am punctual and reliable in my attendance. X
I maintain a professional appearance. X
I believe it is my job to create a learning environment
conducive to the development of students’ self-confidence X
and competence.
I respect the cultures of all students and am sensitive to
X
cultural norms.
I honor my commitments. X
I treat students with dignity and respect at all times. X
I am willing to receive feedback and assessment of my
X
teaching.
 I am patient when working with students. X
I am open to adjusting and revising my plans to meet
X
student needs.
I communicate in ways that demonstrate respect for the
X
feelings, ideas, and contributions of others.
I believe it is important to learn about students and their
X
communities.

Professional Disposition Statement

As an educator, I believe in maintaining an ethical and morally sound disposition while

continuing to keep my students’ best interest at heart. I will set expectations high without

compromising compassion. I will choose fairness in conjunction with respect for diversity.

Lastly, I will remain open to constructive criticism and accept it as guidance while I reflect on

things to improve in myself and my students. I will recognize and appreciate that not all students

learn at the same pace or in the same way. I will create a classroom environment that

accommodates all of those differences in order to ensure success for all students despite their

race, gender, religious beliefs, socioeconomic status, or learning abilities. I will work in close

collaboration with my colleagues to provide the best learning experience and I will be open to

new ideas and criticism when necessary.

Reflection

While going through the professional disposition assessment and developing my

disposition statement, I really focused on the things that will be most beneficial to my students

which are also the things that I found were the most challenging in the beginning. As I reflect

back on my time in my course of study, the hardest concept for me to grasp what that

differentiation is such a huge part of a classroom. As I spent more time in the classroom, I

realized that there are many ways to help students reach their individual learning targets without
compromising the experience for others. Fairness in a classroom doesn’t mean just giving

everybody the same learning tools, it means giving individuals the tools that cater to their

learning styles and abilities.

At the beginning of my teaching journey, I also really struggled with constructive

criticism. Instead of criticism having a negative connotation, I am now able to take feedback

from instructors, mentors and peers and use it to help me grow in my profession. As teachers, we

never stop learning. Education is ever evolving, and if we ever deny ourselves the ability to

evolve with it, we are liable to get left behind.

In order to improve myself in my, there are several steps that I can take. I know that it is

necessary to ask important questions from colleagues and mentors. Among these questions

include the willingness to be coached. Managing an inclusive classroom can be complex. If you

aren’t flexible enough, not all of your students will benefit. If you are too flexible, you might end

up facing some behavioral challenges. The strategies don’t just happen overnight. It comes with

willingness to ask questions, becoming informed, and being open-minded to uncomfortable

changes.

If there is anything that can serve as an exemplar reminder on how to be our best selves

as teachers, it is the Model Code of Ethics and the Professional Dispositions. The two have many

similarities but they also have differences in order to cover all aspects of what it means to be a

great teacher. The Model Code of Ethics assists teachers more on their responsibilities to the

profession and their communities and the Professional Dispositions serve as a better guide for

how to cater to students. When used in conjunction, the two serve as a great road map which I

will continue to use as I navigate through my career. As long as I know I am holding myself to
those standards and trying my best to uphold them, I know that I am always on the right path for

myself, my students, and my colleagues.