WGU Professional Dispositions, Ethics, and Healthy Learning Environments

Vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes covering key terms and definitions regarding professional responsibilities, DE&I, SEL, restorative practices, WGU terminology, and professional dispositions.

3 Professional Responsibilities and Ethics

Professionalism, Integrity, and Communication.

Professionalism

Being responsible, respectful, responsive, accountable, and demonstrating ownership in your professional role.

Integrity

Being honest, reliable, ethical, and making sure your actions match your values and professional standards.

Communication

Verbal, nonverbal, written, and digital communication.

Digital Citizenship

Using technology and digital communication responsibly and professionally.

5 Pillars of a Healthy Learning Environment

1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I), 2. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), 3. Character Core, 4. Professional Dispositions & Ethics, 5. Mental Health.

Healthy Learning Environment

A safe educational environment where students' academic, physical, psychological, and social selves can develop.

Diversity

Recognizing the differences and similarities among people.

Equity

Ensuring everyone has access, opportunity, and advancement while identifying and removing barriers.

Inclusion

Creating an environment where everyone's uniqueness, contributions, and strengths are welcomed and valued.

DE&I Focus

Respecting differences and ensuring everyone has access to opportunities in a welcoming environment.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

Learning to understand/manage emotions, set goals, show empathy, build relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Character Core

An approach to teaching that develops positive character traits, values, and ethical behavior.

Restorative Practices

An alternative to punitive discipline that focuses on resolving conflict, repairing harm, healing relationships, and equipping students with skills.

Goal of Restorative Practices

To repair harm, resolve conflict, strengthen relationships, and create a safer and more inclusive learning environment.

Demonstrated Behaviors

Observable actions and conduct that show Professional Dispositions and Ethics.

Candidate (WGU)

A learner in a WGU educator preparation program.

Student (WGU)

A P-12 learner.

P-12

Primary through 12th grade.

Professional Dispositions

Malleable traits (not fixed) that can be taught and developed over time through reflection, coursework, personal experiences, authentic experiences, and internships.

Role of Reflection in Professional Dispositions

Reflective thinking and writing help candidates become more aware of and develop their dispositions.

WGU's Professional Dispositions & Ethics Model

The core concept that educators can learn, develop, and demonstrate professional dispositions and ethics through positive environments, reflection, authentic experiences, modeling, and restorative practices.

All Individuals Can Learn Disposition

Demonstrated when a teacher notices a student isn't understanding a lesson and changes her teaching strategy to help the student learn.