PROFESSIONAL DISPOSITIONS
Student Name: Elijah Forzani Garrison CSU ID 832398435
Teachers exhibit dispositions required for effective teaching and professional practice.
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORS FEEDBACK
x Excellence in attendance Total for this
disposition: 4 / 4
x Excellence in promptness
x Dresses to convey professionalism appropriate to site and content
x Understands and uses professional language in all public settings
INITIATIVE AND DEPENDABILITY FEEDBACK
x Demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness Total for this
disposition: 6 / 6
x Seeks opportunities to further own learning
x Works effectively with limited supervision
x Identifies problems and is able to prioritize, propose solutions, options and resources
x Advocates for self; takes responsibility for own actions; is responsive
x Completes responsibilities with quality, without excuses or prompting
TACT AND JUDGMENT FEEDBACK
x Demonstrates sensitivity to others' feelings and opinions while articulating own Total for this
opinions, feelings, and needs disposition: 4 / 4
x Approaches situations with an open mind
x Appropriately uses verbal and nonverbal language and cues to remain positive and
respectful
x Perceives what to do or say in order to maintain professional relations with all stakeholders
ETHICAL BEHAVIOR AND INTEGRITY FEEDBACK
x Consistently honest and worthy of trust Total for this
disposition: 4 / 4
x Honors confidentiality
x Assesses information critically—fact from opinion, right from wrong—and responds
honestly and respectfully
x Consistently models professional standards of conduct
COLLEGIALITY AND RESPONSIVENESS FEEDBACK
x Is collaborative: willing to share resources, seek advice, and work toward common goals Total for this
disposition: 6 / 6
x Demonstrates ability to compromise and negotiate
x Is respectful of all and works effectively in teams
x Is open to constructive criticism
x Keeps an open mind: is receptive and reflective concerning perceptions of others
x Proactively addresses feedback through an adjustment in performance
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR FEEDBACK
x Professional oral expression: expressive, articulate, respectful, effective for Total for this
purpose, appropriate to situation disposition: 4 / 4
x Professional written expression: organized, clear, effective for purpose, appropriate
to situation, free of grammatical errors and misspellings
x Demonstrates understanding of audience and purpose, body language and eye
contact during communication situations
x Uses digital media in a professional manner
DESIRE TO IMPROVE OWN PERFORMANCE FEEDBACK
x Demonstrates a responsibility for own professional practice Total for this
disposition: 3 / 3
x Actively pursues new and better ways of teaching
x Expresses sincere interest in personal and professional growth
CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS FEEDBACK
x Demonstrates the belief that all students can learn and are welcome in the classroom Total for this
disposition: 5 / 5
x Demonstrates commitment to culturally responsive teaching
x Demonstrates the desire and ability to plan, assess, and implement instruction to
address, engage, and nurture the learning of every student
x Demonstrates a commitment to the growth and development of each student by taking
into account issues of class, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, language, and
special needs
x Demonstrates an understanding of how families and communities impact student learning
COMMITMENT TO PROFESSION FEEDBACK
x Demonstrates a deep commitment to lifelong learning Total for this
disposition: 4 / 4
x Expresses passion and enthusiasm for teaching
x Models democratic ideals personally and professionally
x Demonstrates awareness of program policies and professional practices
Please check the box below that most closely describes the candidate's overall dispositions:
EMERGENT The candidate’s displayed dispositions are inconsistent-to-weak. General interactions fall significantly
short of those expected of a professional educator. The candidate’s dispositions, as demonstrated by
< 20 POINTS
daily interactions, are sufficiently weak so as to call into questions their fitness to become a
successful teacher.
DEVELOPING The candidate’s displayed dispositions are not consistently strong and positive. General interactions do
not always meet professional expectations. The candidate’s dispositions, as demonstrated by daily
21-30 POINTS
interactions, could be strengthened to improve the candidate’s ability to become a successful teacher.
x PROFICIENT The candidate’s displayed dispositions are consistent with those of a successful beginning teacher.
The candidate’s dispositions, as demonstrated by daily interactions, contribute to a positive learning
31-35 POINTS
climate in the classroom and school.
ACCOMPLISH The candidate’s displayed dispositions are consistent with the highest degree of professionalism
expected of a successful teacher. The candidate’s dispositions, as demonstrated by daily interactions,
ED 36-40
are consistently positive and productive.
POINTS
Please clarify areas of concern, using the space below:
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Dispositions Thesaurus
DISPOSITION: a tendency, inclination or attitude toward a professional behavior
This document is meant as a descriptor guide for instructors and students as they search for clarity in
describing behaviors that would exemplify each of the following professional dispositions.
Professional Behaviors
The teacher candidate displays consistent:
• Excellence in attendance
• Excellence in punctuality
• Positive attitudes towards each and every learner
• Personal and professional appearance appropriate to site expectations
• Affirming behaviors toward students from diverse backgrounds
• Belief that they can make a difference to students and the profession
• Understanding of how learners help to create knowledge
• Belief in the importance of a community of learners
• Knowledge about the lives of their students
• Willingness to learn about and respond to the needs of each and every learner
Initiative and Dependability
The teacher candidate consistently:
• Questions when necessary
• Helps others
• Uses proactive rather than reactive behaviors
• Does not wait for others to act on their behalf
• Looks for alternatives when appropriate
• Sees opportunities and moves into the situation
• Seeks options when problems arise
• Seeks own resources
• Accepts personal responsibility for situations; does not use excuses
• Is adaptable and flexible
• Goes above and beyond what is not explicitly requested
• Actively participates
• Asks self what is needed for personal success
• Is prompt and prepared; calls if late or absent
• Responds with honesty
• Knows expectations and acts accordingly
• Completes assignments thoroughly
• Follows through on promises and responsibilities
• Supports peers/colleagues
• Prepares quality work
• Communicates fully and effectively for situations
• Takes care of actions that result from advising sessions
Tact and Judgment
The teacher candidate consistently:
• Is sensitive to others’ feelings
• Is respectful in discussions
• Displays good manners
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• Thinks before they speak or act
• Uses positive word choices
• Uses constructive comments
• Exhibits good judgment
• Exhibits an open-mind
• Does not allow others to poison a group
• Displays only appropriate dress
• Uses positive tone of voice and body language to communicate thoughts
Ethical Behavior and Integrity
The teacher candidate consistently:
• Honors confidentiality
• Displays honesty in words and actions
• Knows right and wrong
• Admits mistakes and accepts responsibility
• Displays strong understanding of democracy and citizenship
• Considers all sides of an issues
• Is genuine and authentic in words and actions
• Does not lie
• Displays a responsible attitude
• Is respectful and able to be respected
• Is trustworthy
• Will not resort to plagiarism
Collegiality and Responsiveness
The teacher candidate consistently:
• Works and plays well with others
• Takes responsibility for own actions
• Learns from others and shares willingly
• Is willing to work to improve
• Seeks advice/feedback and is appreciative
• Listens actively and reflectively with an open mind
• Is respectful
• Is willing to compromise
• Reaches out and is positive with peers and teachers
• Participates effectively
• Handles ambiguity well and is tolerant
• Smiles, is friendly and open
• Compromises and negotiates
• Is authentic and genuine
• Is willing to try suggestions
• Accepts constructive criticism
• Is willing to engage in constructive confrontation
Effective Communicator
The teacher candidate consistently:
• Uses professional oral language
• Uses professional written language
• Uses respectful language
• Uses effective eye contact and body language
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• Is an active and reflective listener
• Responds calmly in all situations
• Is articulate, speaks clearly and kindly
• Thinks before speaking
• Is succinct and effective with written and oral assignments and communications
• Adapts messages to audience and purpose
• Takes risks
• Checks on audience understanding
Desire to Improve Own Performance
The teacher candidate consistently:
• Asks for help and seeks ways to grow
• Seeks feedback from many sources
• Is aware of the importance of reflection
• Asks for help to improve
• Looks for additional information
• Identifies ways to improve
• Takes risks to try new ideas
• Is committed to face diversity with care and concern
• Understands their part in the process of growth
• Has the ability to accept criticism without taking it personally
• Shows progress in skill acquisition
• Is open to the ideas of others and is reflective
• Enjoys taking guidance from others
• Effectively implements suggestions in practice
• Works to project new learning into future practice
Culturally Responsive
The teacher candidate consistently:
• Looks at student differences as personal opportunities to grow and develop
• Shares the belief that students learn differently and those differences are strengths rather than
obstacles
• Demonstrates the desire and ability to plan curriculum using the knowledge of students and their
lives
• Asks students for help in understanding differences
• Is aware that family and community impact student motivation and learning
• Understands and admits to personal biases
• Shows an understanding of personal communication, teaching and learning styles • Demonstrates
the desire and ability to create a community that is safe and nurturing to all students • Shows a
concern for issues of equity and social justice
• Talks and writes competently about the place of public education within a democracy
• Engages students in discussions concerning culture, equity, democracy and learning
• Provides multiple ways of assessing students
Commitment to the Profession
The teacher candidate is consistently:
• Committed to being an excellent teacher and is able and willing to work toward that purpose
• Willing to go beyond the day
• Seeking opportunities to work with children
• Committed to teaching as their primary profession
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• Demonstrating a desire to learn
• Looking for information beyond text
• Demonstrating that they value and understand the many facets of the profession
• Demonstrating the love of students over academic material
• Culturally responsive; desiring to reach and teach all
• Striving for improvement
• Aware that it is not possible to know everything
• Caring of young people and working to keep abreast of information concerning their development
• A lifelong learner
• Aware and accepting of their public responsibilities as a professional
• Engaged in appropriate discussions and new inquiry with professional colleagues
• Aware of the diversity, exceptionality and individuality in their classroom
• Eager, enthusiastic and motivated
• Striving to learn and engage in inquiry
• Aware of the importance of being a member of the professional and larger community