DISPOSITION OF THE WEEK
Definition: “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.”
(NCATE, 2002)
The following dispositions were taken from a model developed by Iowa’s Teacher
Quality Enhancement Dispositions Team (2008).
1. Respect: shows appropriate regard for the needs, ideas, and experiences of others.
The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Describe a time when you were treated with respect by a teacher and a time you were
disrespected by a teacher.
2. Compassion: sympathizes, often with a desire to understand and help improve
conditions of students’ lives.
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy,
practice compassion. The Dalai Lama
When did a teacher’s compassion make a difference in your life?
3. Authenticity: fosters and enhances the teaching and learning process while
exercising judgment about personal boundaries; displays genuineness.
What we’re all striving for is authenticity, a spirit-to-spirit connection. Oprah
Winfrey
How do you know where your limits are in expressing authenticity?
4. Passion: demonstrates excitement, enthusiasm and optimism for the people,
content, and context of the teaching-learning process.
Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire. W.B. Yeats
Can you think of a time when you became more interested in a subject because of a
teacher’s enthusiasm?
5. Reflectiveness: takes time consistently to evaluate effectiveness of instruction
and behavior in terms of the larger goals of education; nurtures reflectivity in
students and peers; reflects on own growth and accountability.
By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection which is noblest; second
by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is bitterest. Confucius
Why do most teachers and students find it so hard to be reflective?
6. Inventiveness: uses the needs and interests of students to approach curricular and
strategic decisions; visualizes and implements novel ideas and practices.
To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk. Thomas Edison
Which of Gardner’s eight multiple intelligences (linguistic, logical-mathematical,
spatial, musical, kinesthetic, naturalistic, interpersonal, intrapersonal) is your main
creative strength?
7. Efficacy: nurtures high expectations; demonstrates self-direction and confidence;
empowers students and peers.
Children cannot be fooled by empty praise and condescending encouragement…ego
identity gains real strength only from wholehearted and consistent recognition of real
accomplishment, that is, achievement that has meaning in the culture. Erik Erikson
Describe a time when you helped someone believe in their ability to succeed at
something.
8. Resilience: endures stress and maintains stability in the face of disruption and/or
chaos; recovers poise or spirit that enables moving forward in an effective
manner.
In order to succeed people need a sense of self-efficacy strung together with
resilience to meet the inevitable obstacles and inequities of life. Albert Bandura
Describe a time when you or someone you know demonstrated resilience.
9. Flexibility: adapts, adjusts, and modifies practices to meet the needs of students
and peers; thinks on one’s feet; is comfortable with change.
I am a man of principle, and one of my main principles is flexibility. Everett Dirksen
Describe a time when you successfully made an on the spot adjustment in some
activity
10. Presence: has keen with-it-ness and engagement in human interactions and
others’ needs.
The most precious gift we can give others is our presence. Thich Nhat Hanh
Spend five minutes with your eyes closed paying attention to your in and out breath.
What did you notice?
11. Open-mindedness: exhibits an ability to look at different sides of an issue;
recognizes the possibility of error in one’s own beliefs and practices; does not
display or act upon prejudices against people or ideas.
Minds are like parachutes. They only function when open. Thomas Dewar
When was the last time that you changed your mind about something important?
12. Humility: places the needs of the learner and/or learning task above one’s own
ego; reflects on own growth and accountability.
Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real. Thomas Merton
When was the last time you admitted you were wrong?
13. Initiative: exhibits a willingness to pursue solutions to problems or questions;
gathers relevant data and persistently seeks to improve situations or areas of need.
You can’t stay in the corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have
to go to them sometimes. Winnie the Pooh
Can you think of a time when you took the initiative to get things started?
14. Collaborativeness: involves and works with others in planning, problem-solving,
and implementation of effective practices.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the
world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead
Describe a highly effective team (class, work, sports) that you were part of. What
made the team successful?
15. Voice: is willing to openly engage and respond to peers, faculty, teachers,
administrators, parents, and community as the need arises.
One word expresses the pathway to greatness: voice. Those on this path find their
voice and inspire others to find theirs. The rest never do. Steven Covey
What was the largest or most important group that you have spoken to?