Page 12 - Essential Advice for the Teaching Profession - Vol. 8

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS
Ethical standards, standards of practice and the Professional Learning Framework for
the Teaching Profession
The Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession and the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession are strengthened and further embodied through the many professional education and learning pro- cesses identified in the Professional Learning Framework for the Teaching Profession. A holistic vision of teacher professionalism (Figure 2) stresses the interrelationships between ethical practice, professional knowledge, skills, values and ongoing professional learning.
The standard of practice entitled Ongoing Professional Learning highlights the inher- ent connection between student learning and professional learning. This standard also explicitly identifies the importance of self-directed professional learning, which is enhanced through lived experience, research and collaboration.
Standard of Practice:
Ongoing Professional Learning Members recognize that a commitment to ongoing professional learning is integral
to effective practice and to student learn- ing. Professional practice and self-directed learning are informed by experience, research, collaboration and knowledge.
—Ontario College of Teachers, 2006
Together, the ethical standards, standards of practice and the Professional Learning Framework for the Teaching Profession sup- port the capacity for thoughtful, ethical and critically reflective practices and innova- tions that inform professional practice.
Professional inquiry
A professional inquiry section is included throughout the Professional Learning Framework for the Teaching Profession docu- ment. This inquiry section is designed to invite educators reading this foundational document to reflect upon and further explore their own self-directed professional learn- ing experiences through the various lenses associated with ongoing professional learning and education articulated in the Professional Learning Framework for the Teaching Profession.
8 ESSENTiAL ADViCE FOR THE TEACHiNG PROFESSiON