Post #4: Being a Professional

In my humble viewpoint I believe that I am a professional because of how I conduct myself towards my students, fellow teachers, other staff members and administrators. For instance, a non teaching staff member called my room and I was in the middle of a very important lesson. I became very hot once the phone rang but I taken several calm and deep breaths to maintain my cool. Then I immediately answered the phone and politely answered the phone. I said, "Good morning Mr. Lumumba." instead of being frustrated saying, "WHAT?!" as I heard other teachers say from time to time at other schools. Another example of my displaying my professionalism was when a mother of a student I had previously was verbally attacking me and our school for not being pro-active in her child being bullied. I immediately took several deep breaths and became very calm and sympathetic towards the parent and offered and solicited solutions. She became very calm and we worked it out. The bottom line is no matter how mad someone makes me I try to calm down and keep it professional and hopefully the problem goes away. If it still bothers me I try talking to person and express my concerns in a civil manner. And if I feel I can't through to this person I use the chain of command. This is where I hold myself to a higher standard.


There's always room for improvement especially as a professional. I believe that I have to participate in conferences, professional development classes, and seminars. This is how I can grow as a teacher.

Prompt #5: Poverty

As a former homeless person in the states of Arizona and California and food stamp and welfare recipient during my time in Pennsylvania I have direct experience of living in poverty. Coming from these past experiences I have strong empathy for students living in those conditions. Also, I am deeply inspired from a book called, "I Choose To Stay: A Black Teacher Refuses To Desert the Inner City" by Salome Thomas-El, an award winning principal in Wilmington, Delaware.


Based on these experiences, empathy, and inspiration it is my belief that I can be the difference in the lives of students living poverty. In order for me to be the difference it is a must that I have positive expectations for them in thought, speech, and action. Also, I have to persevere in this endeavor everyday plus have an effective classroom management plan in place plus outstanding instructional engagement happening because students living in poverty may or may have the structure they need at home.


I want people to know that just because one lives in poverty doesn't mean that one won't rise out of it and succeed with a great education. If you don't believe me you ought to read Thomas-El's book which shows how students from inner city Philadelphia rise from poverty to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc.