PROFESSIONALISM

IN HOME ECONOMICS

Norma Maynard (Consultant , CAHE)

Home Economics a profession with a long history at

the local, regional and international level. IFHE on August 1, 2008 celebrated its

centennial anniversary AAFCS will be holding its centennial

celebrations (100th Annual Conference and Expo) June 9, 2009

CAHE was inaugurated in 1972, and is now in its 37th year of operation

Home Economics defined:

“Home Economics is a field of study and a profession, situated in the human sciences, that draws from a range of disciplines to achieve optimal and sustainable living for individuals, families and communities.” .

Historical origins -

place Home Economics in the context of the home and household.

extended in the 21st century to include the wider living environments. WHY?

the capacities, choices and priorities of individuals and families impact at all levels, ranging from the household, to the local and also the global. (Glocal – global and local)

Profession/professional/ismProfession “a vocation requiring

knowledge of some department of learning or science”;

Professional one who follows ‘an

occupation as a means of livelihood or gain,’ or one who is ‘engaged in one of the learned professions’.

.

Professionalism being exhibited by the

‘professional character, spirit or methods’ or the ‘standing, practice or methods of a professional as distinguished from an amateur’.

is both an individual characteristic and an ideological position.

Professionalism

the skill, competence, standards expected of a member of a profession

undeviating courtesy, honesty and responsibility.

“Teacher Professionalism”

“…the ability to reach students in a meaningful way, developing innovative approaches to mandated content, while motivating, engaging and inspiring young adults minds to prepare for ever advancing technology”.

Criteria

Education

Issues Responsibilities

Expectations

Competencies

CharacteristicsCompetencePerformance

Conduct

Profession-alism

Characteristics of Professionals

Professionals are considered experts have a high degree of generalised and

systematic knowledge with a theoretical base

have a high degree of self control of their behaviour

are governed by a Code of Ethics (Source:

Characteristics of Professionals

Competence Performance Conduct

(Source: www.teacherprofessionalism..)

Competence

Is displayed through: Preparation A strong knowledge of the subject area

that allows for preparation of innovative teaching/delivery techniques

The acquisition of pedagogical techniques that the he/she considers most effective.

Pedagogy is the act/practice/art/science of teaching.

Four dimensions or areas of practice

Home Economics can be clarified

As an academic discipline….

As an arena for everyday living….

As a curriculum area…

As a societal arena…

To be successful in these 4 areas means

that the profession is constantly evolving and that there will always be new ways of performing the profession.

Need for expert novices – good at learning new things.

Competencies for HEc Pro Mastery of theoretical knowledge Capacity to solve problems Ability to create knowledge as well as

possess it Application of theoretical knowledge to

practice Enthusiasm and commitment to clients Commitment to continuous learning

about the profession

University of Northern Iowa Professional Teacher Competencies.

1. Knowledge of Content and Skills Areas2. Knowledge of learners and the learning

Process3. Instructional Planning4. Use of Instructional Strategies5. Learning Environment and Classroom

Management6. Use of Communication Strategies7. Assessing/Diagnosing/Evaluating Strategies

INI Competencies….

8. Home School Community Relations9. Use of Motivation Strategies10. Use of Problem Solving/Decision Making

Strategies11. Use of Technology12. Use of Multicultural Gender Fair Strategies13. Human Relations Skills14. Professional Characteristics/Personal

Qualities

In Teacher Professionalism

Competence is essential Through Performance a professional

effectively teaches concepts and learners are seen to apply these to their daily lives

Conduct is demonstrated… “from aesthetics to language to behaviour”. Includes one’s ability to initiate and maintain

quality communication with all parties in education

Expectations

Professionals are expected to: Establish a special relationship

with clients or patrons. Have a lack of self interest. Be involved in all aspects of the

profession. Publicise what the profession

‘does’ and ‘is’.

Education

Unique training – extensive period, a combination of formal education, training and apprenticeship; usually in a higher education environment

Formal education Achieving credentials Activity in continuing education opportunities –

lifelong learning** Joining and actively involving your self in

professional associations, locally, regionally and internationally. (CAHE, IFHE)

Responsibilities: Maintain associations which advance

the goals of the profession Promote the well being of the

profession’s members Develop standards for themselves and

their institutions – Best Practices Publish information and research to

explain the profession’s uniqueness Make sacrifices…..

Focus

Home Economics professionals are: advocates for individuals, families and

communities concerned with the empowerment and well

being of individuals, families and communities

concerned with facilitating the development of attributes for lifelong learning for paid, unpaid and voluntary work and living situations.

IFHE Position Statement

CAHE’s Mission Statement

‘to improve the standard of living for individuals, families and communities…

Sustainability of Home Economics

Foundation must be solid Future directions must be carefully

charted ‘Future proofing’ is necessary for

our focus in the decade ahead. Build and enrich Communities of

Practice (CoPs) Seek collective empowerment….

Future proofing defined:

anticipating future developments to minimize negative impacts and optimize opportunities

an elusive process of trying to anticipate future developments so that action can be taken to minimize possible negative consequences and to seize opportunities.

Future proofing the profession Being able to

have a continuous future in not just academia but also in the everyday lives of individuals, families, communities and societies.

Creating a future for the profession with a repertoire of strategies to adapt, grow and lead the home economics profession into an increasingly sophisticated and globalised future.

Are you a professional?

A professional looks, speaks and dresses like a professional. An amateur is sloppy in appearance and speech.

A professional completes projects as soon as possible. An amateur is surrounded by unfinished work piled on top of unfinished work.

A professional uses high emotional tones: enthusiasm, cheerfulness, interest, contentment. An amateur uses lower emotional tones: anger, hostility, resentment, fear, victim.

Anything you do, do it as a Professional to Professional standards.

Develop the frame of mind that whatever you do, you are doing it as a professional and move up to professional standards in it.

Source:www.tipsforsuccess.org/professionalism

CriteriaTraining

IntellectualismAutonomy

IndependenceService & Pride

Education Unique training

Formal educationCredentials

Continuing Ed OpptsOrganizational membership

Issues Name Change

ImageBalancing…

Responsibilities Promote well beingDevelop standardsPublish information

Maintain associations

ExpectationsSpecial relationshipLack of self interestTotal involvement

Publicises the profession

Competencies Mastery of Knowledge

Capacity of solve problemsApplication of theory to practice

EnthusiasmCommitment

CharacteristicsCompetencePerformance

Conduct

Profession-alism inHome

Economics

QUESTIONS /COMMENTS

THANK YOU NORMA MAYNARD