
Professionalism and the construction of teacher professional identity is a focus of our teacher education program and a pillar that guides the daily practices of educators (OCT, 2016). For teachers to be viewed as professionals within their classroom and community, they must understand the high standards of being a teacher and strive every day to meet and exceed those expectations (Hurst & Reading, 1999). The purpose of our collaborative research is to explore how teachers determine the fine line between professionalism and compassion in the classroom and in professional relationships. The findings suggest that professional relationships are constantly evolving and that boundaries are of utmost importance for teachers. Educators must follow professional standards while maintaining a balance between compassionate support and professional impartiality regarding student’s needs. The root of professionalism is effective multilateral communication between teachers, administration, parents, and students. A multi-faceted understanding of professionalism is essential for new teacher candidates to ensure their professional success and the effective learning of students in the classroom. These recommendations will help teacher candidates and new educators maintain professional relationships and evaluate their conduct within the educational community.
| citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 0 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
