Professionalism: a comparative case study of teachers, nurses, and social workers. Issue 5 (19th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bair, Mary Antony
• Is Part Of: Educational studies. Volume 42:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 450
• Page End: 464
• Publication Date: 2016-10-19
• Subjects: Professionalism -- case study -- teacher education -- nursing -- social work; Education -- Periodicals; Éducation -- Périodiques; 370.5
• DOI: 10.1080/03055698.2016.1219651
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-5698

Abstract

Abstract: While there are numerous calls to enhance the professionalism of teachers, there is little empirical research in the United States that examines educators' understanding of the concept. This comparative case study compared the conceptualisation of professionalism by faculty and students in a college of education vis-à-vis the conceptualisation of the construct by faculty and students in a college of nursing and a school of social work. Findings revealed that notions of professionalism expressed by educators can be characterised as restricted, by nurses as status professionalism, and by social workers as activist professionalism. The findings suggest that in order to empower teachers to be full professionals, a deliberate attention to the development of their professionalism is needed.