Why is teacher professionalism important?

This chapter aims to answer this by setting out some of the key considerations for teachers working as professionals. Initially, this chapter will explore the concept of the professional as an occupational group and provide a rationale for why teachers should be classified as professionals. This is followed by an exploration of professional duties and a consideration of the importance of professionals being able to uphold their professional obligations. This connects to ideas of professional discretion, competence and trust that are important for professionalism, and thus the chapter concludes by bringing these ideas together and inviting student teachers to consider their own professionalism in response