University of Washington Bothell
Teacher Education Program
Essential Professional Attributes of candidates and graduates
Essential Professional Attributes Overview
The education of a teacher requires learning of complex knowledge and skills along with development of appropriate professional, behavioral, and social dispositions (attributes) needed to become both an independent and collaborative teacher in any public or independent school in the State of Washington. The University of Washington Bothell has identified the following essential attributes as requirements for admission, satisfactory progress, and certification of applicants and teacher candidates in the teacher certification programs at the University of Washington Bothell. Students enrolled in a graduate program are expected to qualify for teacher certification and the M.Ed. degree.
Essential Attributes and behaviors of a teacher candidateenrolled in a University of Washington Bothell certification program are:
Academic
- Demonstrates active engagement and curiosity for learning in university, school and community settings.
- Demonstrates academic honesty
Self Reflection
- Reflects on and evaluates his/her behavior and work and is willing to consider, develop, and implement potential revisions or solutions.
Professional and ethical
4. Acts in a professional manner that demonstrates integrity, responsibility and tolerance.
5. Treats students and adults of various cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, social classes, abilities, political beliefs and disabilities with compassion, dignity and respect.
- Maintains confidentiality except as required by law to address safety.
- Uses reason and make decisions appropriate for a classroom teacher as well as use good judgment in establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Communication
- Communicates effectively both orally and through writing.
- Has sufficient interpersonal, listening, and responding skills to understand and respond appropriately to different perspectives represented in diverse university and school classrooms.
Behavioral
- Is dependable and takes appropriate initiative to go beyond minimum requirements.
- Is able to work calmly and flexibly under stress, e.g., work under time constraints, concentrate in distracting situations, make timely subjective judgments, and ensure students’ safety at all times
- Has stamina to work a teacher’s contracted day and perform extended additional duties of a classroom teacher such as parent conferences, open houses and other school related activities
Time Management
- Is able to organize time and materials, prioritize tasks, perform and supervise several tasks at once, and adapt to changing situations in order to develop skills to assess and attend to the needs of all students.
In addition to demonstrating the professional attributes, teacher candidates at the University of Washington Bothell must satisfactorily complete all required courses at a level deemed appropriate by the faculty, as well as meet eligibility requirements for a teaching credential including a negative criminal background history as provided by state law.
The University of Washington Bothell endeavors to select applicants who have the ability to become highly competent teachers. As an accredited teacher education program, the curriculum adheres to the standards and guidelines of a pre-service program outlined in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC). Professional expectations follow the Washington State Code of Conduct. Within these guidelines, the faculty has the freedom and ultimate responsibility for the selection and evaluation of its curriculum; and the determination of who should be recommended for state certification. Admission and retention decisions are based not only on prior satisfactory academic and performance achievement, but also on a range of factors that serve to assess that a candidate for certification can demonstrate the essential professional attributes.
The Teacher Education Program, as part of the University of Washington Bothell, is committed to the principle of equal opportunity. The program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, and disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran status. The essential attributes have been developed in compliance with the American Disabilities Act (PL 101-336), and when requested, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified teacher candidates with disabilities.
Candidate’s Statement
I have read the essential professional attributes and I understand that they describe a set of expectations for candidates enrolled in teacher education programs at the University of Washington Bothell. I believe I meet these standards with or without reasonable accommodation. I further understand that if I do not exhibit these behaviors based on the professional judgment of the program faculty, I may be asked to leave the program.
Candidate’s signature ______Date ______
Standards adapted and compiled from the University of Washington Seattle, University of Eastern Michigan, and University of Nevada Reno.
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