"My Core Values"

As human beings we all have "core values", which are a set of internal protocols that direct our daily choices in life, both professional and personal.
Why as teachers will we have to be able to "clearly define" core values as a teacher? The main reason I think is because during the job interview you most likely be asked what are core values and what are you own core values. Core values are handy in assessing people for "the job", which is applicable to any job field, not just education. Being able to define core values and what yours are, shows you are prepared, and have though about this. The second reason why it is important to be able to define what a core value is, is for your on personal evaluation and decision making. For example, "All children have the capacity to learn", some teachers have the idea that silence is key, lecture based. Some other teachers have the Idea that discussion should lead the class room, recitation/lab based. Neither of the previous two ideas are incorrect, and the two thoughts can be broken down even more. For silence, does complete silence work? no one asks questions, no conversation, just 100% talking from the instructor? Mostly likely not. Same for the discussion Idea, does constant talking and interruption get what you want from the students to learn? Should students be able to create off topic tangents from the original subject matter? the answer is the same. Being able to describe specifically a core value and the tiers within help the teacher be able to describe their assessment process.

"The class room is a place of safety, freedom of expression, where a child can discover and learn without fear of ridicule." If a student is uncomfortable in any way this will will distract them from learning. As teachers we need to be constantly on our toes to observe the class room to make sure all students are behaving and not acting to make others uncomfortable. one element of that which I believe is overlooked a lot is instructors them selves need to be aware of what they say and their actions, they are the focus of attention small things the teacher may do can have a large impact on students.

"Every child has the right and capacity to learn." This core value is what prepares instructors to have modifications and alternate plans for students. Taking this core value in the literal term students with mental disability a lot of the time are set to the side while the other student learn, when all that one student needed was a slightly different way to learn that material (being audio, visual, sensory)that student would have been able to learn that material. In modern schools students with mental disability's are starting to do learning with in the class room which is great! When I lived in Spokane mentally disabled students were put in one class room with one teacher, and that was it.

"Integrity paired with consistancy, do whats right doesn't matter if someone is or is not watching." This core value is also a moral value to me, always do the right thing because it will never come back to bite you. Just because someone isn't watching doesn't mean you have can do the "wrong things". My logic is someone is always watching, whether it be administration or students, words and actions can spread to the administrative level. Consistency ties in with integrity, as an instructor you must be consistent. Because one student is the better performer doesn't mean they should be able to get away with something that your worst player doesn't get away with. In addition, if you are inconsistent this give students the ability to easily walk all over you.

"We are not out to train the next gereation of professionalism." Though I wish to not agree with this core value, I do believe it. Public schooling is general education, it gives them the basics of life skills to be successful. When I teach music in the public schools I want students to build communication skills, people skills, determination, self-evaluation, etc. Not be able to play the Haydn Cello concerto in D. We need to give them the basic skill to problem solve their future skills.

"Music teachers are teachers before they are musicians." This is an important value because some teachers and pre-service teacher I know have the approach to music education that being a virtuoso and showing students you are will teach them. I have had really smart instructors who are horrible teachers, and great instructors who don't know that much, but have the ability to find out. the latter of the two instructors I believe are the ones who are most effective in education because what they teach sticks in students heads as well as give students the skills to find answers on their own, but still with guidance from the instructor.

"Be proud to celebrate you accomplishments as a teacher and ensemble." This is one core value I actually hope to improve with my self. I am very self critical and a perfectionist. I do a lot better when it evaluation of other people, but I could do better still. Being able to celebrate achievements is what makes students feel successful and build that thirst for knowledge, if you don't celebrate often enough students shut down to that material and think they are incapable of learning that subject.