PACE - LCSC Education Division - Lewis-Clark State College

Professionalism: Etiquette and EthicsInterns are expected to be on time and positive and productive in both on-campus and classroomsettings. Observe the same attendance requirements (for sick, personal, bereavement, andemergency leave) that cooperating teachers observe. Stay for the duration of both on-campusand at-school days.Give respectful attention to speakers and professors at LCSC. Engage in all activities, takingnotes and asking questions whenever appropriate. Be sensitive to cooperating teachers’ needs –both for assistance with all duties related to teaching and for “space” to think and work withouthaving to attend to interns at all times.Develop positive relationships with peers, (OSTEs) cooperating teachers, and LCSC facultymembers. Holding conversations about others to a minimum and keeping the tone of thempositive is very important. If, in the course of working together, difficulties or irritations arise,handle them professionally as outlined below.Before taking any action regarding the behavior of another, ask the following questions:1. Are children being harmed?2. Am I being kept from performing my own duties?If the answer to both of these questions were negative, the best course of action would be toignore the situation unless your feelings are so strong that you deem it necessary to speakdirectly to the other person her/himself. In any case, civility and kindness are absolutelynecessary.If the answer to at least one of these questions is yes, you will need to talk with The PACECoordinator or designated Supervisor as soon as is possible. If the situation isn’t resolved(meaning that either children are continuing to be harmed or you are still being prevented fromperforming your duties), you will need to speak to your supervisor or The PACE Coordinator.It is important to remember that your mentor is likely to have access to information that s/hecannot share with you.Professional educators, as do people in many other fields, operate under the assumption thatthere is an appropriate “chain of command.” If, after speaking with the Elementary PACECoordinator, the problem persists – you should make an appointment to speak with the DivisionChair. The importance of making certain that the situation warrants these actions cannot beoverstated. Calling your own professionalism into question is the likely result of questioning theprofessionalism of another without substantial reason. Differences in philosophy or perceptionsabout fairness do not qualify as substantial reasons.The goal of the internship is to prepare professional future teachers by providing appropriateexperiences and support for each LCSC intern. Experiences will differ for each intern andcadre.23