Assignment 2: Lesson 2 – The Teacher as a Professional
1. Definition of a Professional Teacher
Definition:
A professional teacher is an educator who possesses the required qualifications, skills,
and personal integrity to facilitate learning in a way that respects learners’ rights,
promotes ethical conduct, and adheres to professional standards set by the teaching
profession (adapted from South African Council for Educators [SACE], 2019).
Stance: I agree with this definition.
Two reasons from the SACE Code of Professional Ethics:
1. Commitment to learners – A professional teacher acknowledges the
uniqueness, individuality, and specific needs of each learner, protecting them
from any form of abuse or exploitation.
2. Integrity and honesty – A professional teacher conducts themselves in a
manner that upholds the dignity of the profession and promotes the trust placed
in educators by learners, parents, and society.
Reference:
South African Council for Educators (SACE). (2019). Code of Professional Ethics.
Pretoria: SACE.
2. Scenario Analysis
Scenario 1 – Alcohol stored in school fridge
Stance: Not professional.
Reasons:
, 1. Misuse of school property – The SACE Code prohibits using school facilities
for personal purposes that are unrelated to teaching and learning.
2. Setting a poor example – Storing alcohol at school could send the wrong
message to learners about responsible behaviour.
Scenario 2 – Refusal to appoint Mr Smith
Stance: Professional.
Reasons:
1. Learner safety comes first – The SACE Code requires teachers to protect
learners from physical, emotional, and psychological harm.
2. Maintaining public trust – Appointing someone with a serious offence against
children could damage the reputation and trust of the school.
Scenario 3 – Whole class detention
Stance: Not professional.
Reasons:
1. Collective punishment is unfair – The SACE Code encourages fairness and
justice in dealing with learners.
2. Respecting learners’ dignity – Punishing innocent learners can harm the
teacher–learner relationship and reduce trust.
Scenario 4 – English test marks
Stance: Not professional.
Reasons:
1. Definition of a Professional Teacher
Definition:
A professional teacher is an educator who possesses the required qualifications, skills,
and personal integrity to facilitate learning in a way that respects learners’ rights,
promotes ethical conduct, and adheres to professional standards set by the teaching
profession (adapted from South African Council for Educators [SACE], 2019).
Stance: I agree with this definition.
Two reasons from the SACE Code of Professional Ethics:
1. Commitment to learners – A professional teacher acknowledges the
uniqueness, individuality, and specific needs of each learner, protecting them
from any form of abuse or exploitation.
2. Integrity and honesty – A professional teacher conducts themselves in a
manner that upholds the dignity of the profession and promotes the trust placed
in educators by learners, parents, and society.
Reference:
South African Council for Educators (SACE). (2019). Code of Professional Ethics.
Pretoria: SACE.
2. Scenario Analysis
Scenario 1 – Alcohol stored in school fridge
Stance: Not professional.
Reasons:
, 1. Misuse of school property – The SACE Code prohibits using school facilities
for personal purposes that are unrelated to teaching and learning.
2. Setting a poor example – Storing alcohol at school could send the wrong
message to learners about responsible behaviour.
Scenario 2 – Refusal to appoint Mr Smith
Stance: Professional.
Reasons:
1. Learner safety comes first – The SACE Code requires teachers to protect
learners from physical, emotional, and psychological harm.
2. Maintaining public trust – Appointing someone with a serious offence against
children could damage the reputation and trust of the school.
Scenario 3 – Whole class detention
Stance: Not professional.
Reasons:
1. Collective punishment is unfair – The SACE Code encourages fairness and
justice in dealing with learners.
2. Respecting learners’ dignity – Punishing innocent learners can harm the
teacher–learner relationship and reduce trust.
Scenario 4 – English test marks
Stance: Not professional.
Reasons:
