Professionalism in the Workplace

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.