Professional+Considerations+Section

//(see// notes //for this pag//e)

Professional Considerations
The chemistry teacher is a professional with expertise in the teaching of chemistry and should be recognized as such by school administrators, the public, and the American Chemical Society. In order to maintain this professional status, the chemistry teacher is obliged to keep abreast of current developments in chemistry, chemical education, and laboratory safety. Establishing a connection with other chemistry teachers creates a platform for the exchange of resources and ideas.

The chemistry teacher should participate in making decisions within the school system that affect the quality of chemistry instruction. 1. The chemistry teacher should have the primary responsibility for determining course content, objectives, and methods of instruction in alignment with district and state requirements. 2. The chemistry teacher should have the primary responsibility for recommending course offerings, textbook selection, and purchase of supplementary teaching materials, such as audiovisual aids and computer software. 3. To ensure adequate chemistry offerings at appropriate times, the teacher should participate in the scheduling process. 4. The chemistry teacher should participate in the budget making process. It is the responsibility of the teacher to inform the administration of the estimated annual cost of sustaining the chemistry program including repair and maintenance needs. Within the constraints of the budget, the administration should give the teacher considerable freedom in determining priorities in the purchase of chemicals, equipment, instructional materials, and safety equipment. Student laboratory fees, fundraising and grant applications may be used to provide additional funding.
 * DECISION MAKING AND CONSULTATION**

It should be recognized that teaching a laboratory science may require more on-site preparation than can be completed during regular school hours. 1. Chemistry teachers need time to prepare laboratory materials and monitor the status of safety equipment. Teachers need to be given enough time to do these things properly and then be expected to do them. 2. When more on-site laboratory preparation than can be completed by the teacher during regular working hours is required, a trained para-professional assistant could be provided. The teacher could also be compensated for the extra work with a reduced teaching load, release from extracurricular obligations such as after school duty or meetings or a monetary supplement for extensive lab preparation.
 * TIME REQUIRED FOR LABORATORY PREPARATION**

To maintain a high quality chemistry program, the chemistry teacher and administration must cooperate in sustaining the teacher’s professional development. 1. Teachers should read journals and science magazines in order to keep abreast of new development in chemistry and in chemistry teaching methods. 2. Teachers should work with local sections of the American Chemical Society to provide programs appropriate to their needs and interests in areas such as new developments in chemistry, demonstrations, laboratory experiments, safety, and industrial applications. (Visit [|www.acs.org] to obtain contact information for a local ACS section). 3. Teachers should seek opportunities to enhance their professional growth by participation in workshops, short courses, and professional meetings. 4. Administrators should encourage and provide funding for the professional growth of the chemistry teacher. Such encouragement should take the form of a. purchasing science journals and magazines; b. providing released time and financial support for participation in workshops, short courses, and professional meetings; c. supporting frequent interclass and interschool visits among chemistry teachers; d. providing professional leave for further study; e. providing support during the summer for improving teaching procedures, developing new course content, developing and maintaining equipment, reviewing and updating laboratory safety procedures; and f. working with local industry in identifying opportunities for summer employment in chemistry related jobs. //(see// notes //for this pag//e)
 * PROFESSIONAL GROWTH**