Stevie Higbee

August 30, 2020

SEC-490
Professor Cindy Barnes
Professional Dispositions Statement
As an educator, I believe in being a lifelong learner because in the field of education, the
most consistent element is change. Within this belief is having continual professional
competence in the field of mathematics. I believe in preparedness, punctuality, and
professionalism. Having lesson plans ready, being dressed professionally, and setting a positive,
ethical example daily is part of being an effective educator.
I believe that all students are intelligent and capable of learning. I believe in being on a journey
with the students to reach their individual goals, meet their needs as learners, and push them to
reach their highest individual potentials. Being a caring a responsive listener to both students and
colleagues is crucial to fostering positive and mutual respect.
I believe in creating an environment that fosters learning, fairness, respect, equality, warmth, and
opportunity. This can all be enhanced with effective classroom management. Where students feel
comfortable to expand their knowledge, yet confident enough to let the teacher know if he/she
writes something incorrectly on the board. I believe in guiding young minds to become
successful members of society as adults.

Reflection
The professional dispositions assessment has opened my eyes that I do fully agree with
all of the positive assets that a teacher should possess. I do believe that I am thoughtful,
considerate, caring, and kind. The assessment shows specific examples such as I believe that all
students can learn, even though they do not all learn in the same way or at the same pace.
Communication, collaboration, and the classroom environment are three more examples of how
my professional disposition statement is similar to the assessment.
In the Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE), in the responsibility to students section, it
discusses providing a safe environment for students and being respectful, fair, and considerate of
students needs, which are all things that are mentioned within my disposition (NASDTEC,
2015).
Growth is an understatement for me as I consider the person that I was at the beginning of my
program of study. I have gained a great sense of ability and confidence in myself and in others
and have obtained a mindset of anything is possible. I have learned that when I am punctual,
prepared, and professional, I have more confidence in the front of the classroom. When I did my
clinical field experience and taught my very first lesson, I was shaking in my boots and my voice
kept cracking under the pressure. That was the longest lesson of my life but taught me that it
does eventually end. The feedback from that lesson was that I needed to be more confident, but
the students absolutely loved the lesson that I put together, and they still talk about it when they
see me. That told me that I can do it, I have great ideas, and that I will be an awesome teacher
one day. Through my toughest math classes I learned that I am capable of learning anything that
I put my mind to and that there are many resources online that are there to enhance my
experience. As I first began student teaching, I updated my wardrobe to fit into the professional
that I am becoming as I complete my program. I am thankful for all of the experiences for
continually shaping me into the educator I have dreamed of becoming.
Even though I have come a long way, there is always room for improvement because no one is
perfect. I plan on using my experience to become more prepared, organized, and creative. I plan
on attending professional development, obtaining a masters degree, and utilizing all of my time
within the classroom to practice in self reflection and search for feedback so that I may
continually learn and grow to become the best educator that I can be.

Reference

The National Association of State Directors of Education and Certification. (2015). Model Code
of Ethics for Educators. Retrieved from https://www.nasdtec.net/page/MCEE_Doc.