College of Education and College of Arts and Sciences 

Candidate’s Statement of Commitment regarding Dispositions

The College of Education, in collaboration with the College of Arts and Sciences, is responsible for preparing candidates who have the required knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become effective teachers.  Therefore, your initial licensure program will prepare you to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions expected of beginning teachers.  Faculty and school personnel will evaluate your demonstration of these dispositions and provide you with feedback about your progress.

 

Dispositions are defined as the values, commitments, and professional ethics that influence behavior toward students, families, colleagues, and communities and affect student learning, motivation, and development as well as the educator’s own professional growth.  Dispositions are guided by beliefs and attitudes related to values such as caring, fairness, honesty, responsibility, and social justice (NCATE, 2001).   The dispositions listed below are expected of UNC Charlotte teacher education candidates in the university classroom and in the schools.

 

Professionalism

  • Timeliness is consistent in class, clinicals, group work, appointments, completion of assignments
  • Attendance is consistent at class, clinicals, group meetings, appointments, student teaching and internships
  • Appearance and dress matches schools’ dress standards and expectations when candidates are present in the schools
  • Poise/attitude reflects proactive planning, preparation, and engagement in classes and in the schools
  • Initiative is demonstrated by offering ideas and suggestions to others, setting goals for self-improvement, seeking advice and feedback, and independently searching for, creating, or modifying plans and materials
  • Ethics is demonstrated by maintaining confidentiality about BK-12 students and their families, following the Code of Ethics for North Carolina Educators and the UNC Charlotte Code of Academic Integrity, disclosing any unlawful activity upon application to and during the teacher education program that might adversely affect ability to obtain a teaching license, as well as passing criminal background checks and drug screening required by the school systems

 

Teaching Qualities

  • Demonstrates organization through student-centered planning, selection/ preparation of materials, time management
  • Demonstrates flexibility in modifying ideas, materials, plans, lesson implementation, course assignments
  • Values diversity through choosing and creating inclusive materials, lessons, assessments, and creating classroom environments that are inviting for diverse students’ participation and learning; and that provide equitable access to instruction.

 

Relationships with Others

  • Cooperates with instructors/school personnel; resolves differences or misunderstandings respectfully and reflectively
  • Responds productively and respectfully to feedback from instructors, classroom teachers, mentors, and principals
  • Establishes rapport with BK-12 students and their families
  • Collaborates with peers, instructors, school personnel and parents; shares responsibilities, ideas, materials
  • Provides leadership to peers, instructors, school personnel and parents; initiates, suggests, contributes
  • Affirms perspectives and contributions of diverse students, teachers, families, instructors, and peers

 

Professional Development

  • Engages in reflection by using various forms of feedback about candidates’ teaching effectiveness, including assessment data showing impact on BK-12 students’ learning
  • Engages in life-long learning through reading, observing, assessing, and participating in professional development opportunities such as conferences and professional organizations
  • Promotes success for all students through best practices, informative assessments, and inclusive environments
  • Demonstrates involvement with  parents, families, school personnel, and community agencies on behalf of students

 

I have read the dispositions and indicators above.  I agree that dispositions are important to being an effective, professional teacher.  I am committed to both growth and excellence in demonstrating these dispositions.  I understand that my progress in the teacher education program depends upon successful demonstration of these dispositions.

 

               

                             Bryon Vaught                                                    11/16/2006                          MDLG Language Arts & Social Studies

                                Signature                                                              Date                                                Initial licensure field