Section 21.130  Dispositions

Teachers in the middle grades are committed to building the capacity of every student to reach his or her highest potential as a learner. The development of the learner is shaped by not only the content and pedagogical knowledge of the teacher but also by the professional and technical dispositions that are consistently exhibited. Effective middle grade teachers:

a)         value and promote the importance of interdisciplinary content that is part of the middle school concept and demonstrate how these content areas interrelate with all areas of educational content currently and in the future;

b)         exhibit high levels of self-efficacy related to their applicable core content area of instruction, and seek to develop beliefs of self-efficacy in their students;

c)         demonstrate the ability to be thoughtful and responsive listeners and observers;

d)         demonstrate the ability to persevere, appropriately seeking out resources and support when presented with personal or professional challenges; and

e)         embody the Code of Ethics for Illinois Educators (23 Ill. Adm. Code 22) and the Standards for All Illinois Teachers (23 Ill. Adm. Code 24), as applicable to the educator, in the learning environment.