Characteristics of Professional Excellence

In order to carry out the SEHS Mission and fulfill the Vision Statements, St. Elizabeth faculty members and professional staff will:

• Serve as mature role models for a Christian lifestyle, teaching Christian values by word and example.
• Understand the Benedictine charism and share it with students.
• Understand the Catholic value system and apply it in the teaching of their subject areas.
• Maintain and improve professional excellence by keeping abreast of current trends in education through professional reading and annual participation in professional development activities, e.g. courses, workshops, and conferences.
• Utilize teaching strategies that will elicit the creativity and innovation necessary for the 21st century.
• Give support for and establish active engagement with colleagues both within and between departments.
• Accept constructive criticism as a means of personal and professional growth.
• Understand that teaching good grammar and writing skills is every teacher’s responsibility.
• Give sufficient tests and evaluations and post them promptly enough that parents and students are kept aware of the student’s progress.
• Maintain proactive communication with parents or guardians by using written and oral messages that are clear and grammatically correct.
• Assume responsibility for care of the classroom – appearance, materials, and equipment.
• Maintain control of their classes and exhibit calmness, respect, and fairness when disciplining students.
• Set high standards for all students, putting emphasis on personal growth rather than competition with others.
• Give assignments that require inquiry- and problem-based approaches, and higher order thinking skills.
• Vary teaching methods to accommodate students who learn in different ways.
• Show the application of their subjects to real-life situations so that students will see relevance in them.
• Encourage the integration of community resources beyond school walls.