Professional Dispositions
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The Virginia Department of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education promote standards of professional competence and dispositions. Dispositions are values, commitments, and professional ethics that influence behaviors toward students, families, colleagues, and all members of the learning community. The School of Education expects students, faculty, and staff to exhibit professional dispositions through a:
Commitment to the Profession
- Promoting exemplary practice
- Excellence in teaching and learning
- Advancing the profession
- Engagement in partnerships
Commitment to Honoring Professional Ethical Standards
- Fairness
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Trustworthiness
- Confidentiality
- Respect for colleagues and students
Commitment to Key Elements of Professional Practice
- Belief that all individuals have the potential for growth and learning
- Persistence in helping individuals succeed
- High standards
- Safe and supportive learning environments
- Systematic planning
- Intrinsic motivation
- Reciprocal, active learning
- Continuous, integrated assessment
- Critical thinking
- Thoughtful, responsive listening
- Active, supportive interactions
- Technology-supported learning
- Research-based practice
- Respect for diverse talents, abilities, and perspectives
- Authentic and relevant learning
Commitment to Being a Member of a Learning Community
- Professional dialogue
- Self-improvement
- Collective improvement
- Reflective practice
- Responsibility
- Flexibility
- Collaboration
- Continuous, lifelong learning
Commitment to Democratic Values and Social Justice
- Understanding systemic issues that prevent full participation
- Awareness of practices that sustain unequal treatment or unequal voice
- Advocate for practices that promote equity and access
- Respects the opinion and dignity of others
- Sensitive to community and cultural norms
- Appreciates and integrates multiple perspectives