Educators contribute to the profession.
The concept behind educators’ contribution to the profession is very vague. I know when I heard about this standard, I thought, How is this different than Standard 7?
Unlike standard 7, which states “Educators engage in professional learning.” Standard 8 is the idea that educators pass on their knowledge to those who wish to pursue a career in teaching. By agreeing to follow Standard 8, teachers understand the idea that they are mentors to those who come behind them.
Being a mentor for teacher candidates opens the gates for education programs to succeed. Without mentor teachers, I would not have been able to become an educator myself. Contributing to the profession means that we are agreeing to seek further education through Pro-D days or Post Graduate institutions. It indicates that the teaching profession is not a one-and-done, we learn constantly and strengthen our knowledge so that we can mentor educators that come next.
Contributing to the profession also means that we all must act professionally with the staff we work with. We are respectful and honour everyone in the school with the same enthusiasm. We become role models to not only the students but other staff as well. I would not have decided to become a teacher without my mentor teacher encouraging me and being a role model for me while I was an EA.
Personally, I believe that this standard is one of , if not the, most important standard that continues the success of the education system and keeps others interested in the profession.