Being a professional in school: Dos and don'ts

The media loves a good story about wayward teachers. Over the years, I have lost count of news articles that have popped up on my newsfeed telling that a teacher has been banned from teaching for swearing at pupils, drinking on the job, or having inappropriate relationships with sixth-formers.

These teachers are often sacked, prohibited from teaching and, in many cases, publicly shamed in the press and on social media.

The importance of conduct

The philosopher Søren Kierkegaard said: “What the teacher is, is more important than what he (or she) teaches.”

Yes, we teach, but we also manage behaviour, act as role models, look out for our pupils’ wellbeing, listen to their problems and, when we can, inspire them to be the best people they can be. It is incumbent upon us, therefore, to ensure pupils respect us not just for our subject knowledge, our pedagogical prowess and enjoyable lessons, but also for our personal and professional conduct.