Professionalism in the Workplace
Work ethics is a very important part of a job. When someone
counts on you to do a job, and you accept, you must be reliable, because
someone is counting on you to play a part. In my work environment, I have seen
everybody show great example, and professionalism. Teachers care about the
students, and everybody does the best they can. As teachers, it may seem we don’t
do very much, but there have been weeks, where I and my grade level team, we
barely get time to eat. Parent/ Teacher conferences, usually comes with report
cards, or IPV meetings, and it could be very stressful. Nevertheless, we still
teach lessons, prepare classes, and do all of our duties.
Recently, I heard a substitute teacher who had accepted a long
term substitute job for a maternity leave, decided not to do it last minute. The
poor mother had to come to work with 3cm dilated, to prepare for a different
substitute that only speaks English. As a teacher, I know how important is to
have someone reliable to take care of our class when we are gone. If they don’t
follow the lesson plans, or you hear something went wrong; it makes you feel a
little bit disappointed.
Sometimes after a long week, teachers will plan to have
happy hour somewhere. I don’t drink, therefore, I never go, but I feel that if
you do that kind of thing with coworkers you could get in trouble for saying something
out of the school environment.
Personally, I never share my Facebook with coworkers or students.
That social media tool is exclusively for family and friends, not for the
workplace.
I’ve heard some inappropriate comments and opinions, people
are not perfect, but we can do the best in our possibilities to make
appropriate observations, and to avoid criticizing other people, especially
when that is not our job. Just some observations, and work etiquette to avoid
getting in trouble.
