3 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES EVERY TEACHER SHOULD FOLLOW
THREE SIMPLE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES CAN HELP TEACHERS STAY ORGANIZED, PREPARED AND CONSISTENT IN THEIR CLASSROOM RESPONSIBILITIES.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES FOR TEACHERS go beyond simply standing in front of learners and delivering lessons. For a teacher, professionalism is also reflected in how classroom responsibilities are handled, how prepared the teacher is and how consistently important records and learner work are managed.
According to Smart Teachers Avenue, there are several simple practices that can help teachers demonstrate professionalism in their daily work. For new teachers, especially, developing these habits early can make a significant difference in how their work is perceived.
In this article, we look at three professional practices for teachers highlighted in the video.
1. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES FOR TEACHERS: MARK YOUR REGISTER ON TIME
One of the first professional practices for teachers is the proper and timely marking of the attendance register.
Class teachers, particularly those responsible for specific classes at the JHS and SHS levels, are expected to keep their class records properly updated. In many primary schools, where teachers may serve as class teachers, this responsibility can be even broader.
The video points out that leaving a register unmarked for several days does not create a positive impression of a teacher’s work.
Teachers should therefore make it a habit to mark their registers on time and keep the records properly updated.
A register is not simply another classroom document. It is an important record of learner attendance, and maintaining it consistently demonstrates organization and responsibility.
DETAILED LESSON PLANS & SCHEMES OF WORK
Get detailed lesson plans and Schemes of Work for Nursery, KG, Primary, JHS and SHS to help you prepare, plan and teach effectively.
2. PREPARE YOUR LESSON PLANS AND LESSON NOTES BEFORE TIME
Another important area of professional practices for teachers is lesson preparation.
The video makes an important distinction between a lesson plan and a lesson note.
A lesson plan shows how a lesson is going to be presented. It provides a structure that can guide the delivery of the lesson. For example, if a teacher is absent and another teacher has to take over the class, the lesson plan can help the replacement teacher understand how the lesson was intended to be delivered.
A lesson note, on the other hand, contains the content that is taught to learners and may form the basis of what learners write in their exercise books or notebooks.
Both should be prepared before the lesson.
Proper preparation can also become important when a teacher is supervised. When a supervisor enters the classroom or reviews a teacher’s work, properly prepared lesson plans and notes can demonstrate that the teacher is organized and taking the responsibility seriously.
READ RELATED RESOURCES HERE: WHY YOUR TEACHER SALARY FINISHES TOO QUICKLY: THE FINANCIAL LESSON EVERY TEACHER SHOULD HEAR
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES FOR TEACHERS: PREPARATION MATTERS
Teachers should avoid waiting until the last minute before preparing these documents.
The video also highlights Smart Teachers Avenue’s detailed lesson plans and schemes of work, which are available for teachers from nursery through JHS. According to the video, the materials are available in editable and printable Word formats.
Teachers interested in the materials are directed to the Smart Teachers Avenue website and the contact numbers provided by the platform.
END-OF-TERM EXAMINATIONS FROM CRECHE TO SHS
Get quality End-of-Term Examination Questions with Marking Schemes for learners from Creche to SHS, carefully prepared to support effective assessment.
3. MARK LEARNERS’ EXERCISES AND CORRECTIONS
The third of the professional practices for teachers discussed in the video is marking learners’ exercises.
Giving learners exercises is only part of the process. Teachers should also take time to mark the work and indicate what learners got right and where they need improvement.
Marking allows learners to understand their performance. When a learner sees that an answer is correct, they receive confirmation of their understanding. When an answer is wrong, the teacher can identify the mistake and guide the learner through the correction.
The video further emphasizes that corrections should also be checked after learners have completed them.
This creates a continuous process of teaching, practising, marking, correcting and reviewing.
WHY THESE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES FOR TEACHERS MATTER
The three practices discussed in the video may appear simple, but they form part of the everyday responsibilities that demonstrate a teacher’s level of organization and commitment.
Marking the register on time keeps important records updated.
Preparing lesson plans and lesson notes helps ensure that teaching is properly organized.
Marking exercises and corrections helps teachers monitor learners’ understanding and progress.
Together, these professional practices for teachers can help create a more organized classroom and demonstrate that a teacher is actively managing their professional responsibilities.
READ RELATED RESOURCES HERE: TEACHER UNIONS REJECT PROMISES: “WE ARE NOT RETURNING TO THE CLASSROOM”
3 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES FOR TEACHERS: THE BIGGER LESSON
Professionalism is not only about what happens when a teacher is standing before learners.
It is also reflected in the preparation that happens before the lesson, the records maintained during the school day and the follow-up that takes place after learners complete their work.
For new teachers, building these habits early can help establish a strong professional routine.
As Smart Teachers Avenue asks, there are certainly other practices that can make a teacher more professional.
READ RELATED RESOURCES HERE: TEACHER UNIONS REJECT PROMISES: “WE ARE NOT RETURNING TO THE CLASSROOM”
What other professional practices for teachers would you add to this list?
Share your thoughts and experiences with other educators.
Share your experience and ideas in the comments. Your strategy could help another teacher take the first step.
Follow Smart Teachers Avenue on Facebook, TikTok and YouTube for more conversations and stories about teachers, education and the people behind the classroom.
You can contact us
📞 Phone: +233 503910155 / +233233910155
📧 Email: info.teachersavenue@gmail.com
💬 WhatsApp: Click Here To WhatsApp Us
Follow Smart Teachers Avenue and Stay connected with us for daily educational resources, financial education, teaching tips and school leadership insights.
📘 Facebook – FOLLOW HERE
🎵 TikTok – FOLLOW HERE
▶️ YouTube – SUBSCRIBE HERE
✈️ Telegram Channel – JOIN HERE
👥 Telegram Community Chat: – JOIN HERE
👥 Facebook Community Chat: – JOIN HERE
WhatsApp Channel – FOLLOW HERE for daily updates, teaching resources and exclusive educational content.
Join our growing community of teachers across Ghana and beyond who trust Smart Teachers Avenue as their preferred platform for teaching resources, professional development, financial education and school leadership.
