This list of Professional Dispositional Qualities for teacher candidates was adapted from the “Iowa Dispositions Model: A Framework for Developing Effective Teacher Dispositions.” The Iowa Dispositions Model was developed in connection with the Iowa Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant, a 2005 award from the U.S. Department of Education. 

These Professional Dispositional Qualities are intended as part of compliance with several provisions of the Iowa Administrative Code:

  • 282—25(272) Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics [administrative rules of the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners];
  • 282—26(272) Code of Rights and Responsibilities [administrative rules of the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners];
  • 281—79.15 Teacher candidate knowledge, skills and dispositions standard, which requires teacher preparation colleges and universities in Iowa to ensure teacher candidates have the knowledge, skills and dispositions in order to help all students learn [administrative rules of the State Board of Education and Department of Education of the state of Iowa], which includes the following:
  • 281—79.15(2) Human relations, cultural competency, and diverse learners, which requires that teacher candidates develop the ability to identify and meet the needs of all learners; and
  • 281—79.15(4) and 79.15(5) InTASC standards and state standards, which include a number of dispositional requirements. ["Crosswalk" of the Professional Dispositional Qualities and the InTASC standards]

These Professional Dispositional Qualities form the basis of Teacher Education Program assessment instruments that encourage reflection by teacher candidates on personal areas of strength and needed growth in human relations. University of Iowa teacher candidates are introduced to these Professional Dispositional Qualities from their first semester in the Teacher Education Program (TEP), and revisit them again as they progress through the TEP. These Professional Dispositional Qualities are reflected in TEP Academic and Professional Standards in the Notice of Concern.

Candidates with this set of dispositions value and appreciate all aspects of other persons’ well-being—cognitive, emotional, physical and spiritual—thereby enhancing opportunities for learning needs of other education students and in working with professionals. The following list comprises many, but not all, of the qualities, tendencies, and/or behaviors that characterize a set of caring dispositions:

I.I Empathy: identifies with and sees things from the perspective of others.

I.2 Compassion: sympathizes, often with a desire to understand and help improve conditions of students lives.

1.3 Rapport: develops appropriate relationships with peers and other stakeholders.

1.4 Respect: shows appropriate regard for the needs, ideas, and experiences of others.

1.5 Passion: demonstrates excitement and enthusiasm and optimism for the people, content. And context of the teaching/learning process.

1.6 Cultural Competence: appreciates and capitalizes on diversity; is aware of and acts to reduce one’s own biases; employs culturally sensitive pedagogy.

Candidates with this set of dispositions arc sensitive to and skillful in the various aspects of human activity. They have effective interpersonal relationship skills and attitudes that foster collaborative enterprises useful in enhancing the teaching-learning process. The following list comprises many, but not all, of the qualities, tendencies, and/or behaviors that characterize a set of communicative dispositions:

2.1 Presence: has keen “with-it-ness” and engagement in human interactions and other's needs.

2.2 Responsiveness: attends to others• needs; the ability and inclination to act as best meets the needs, subtle as well as obvious, of others and their circumstances.

2.3 Attentiveness: concentrates on others• communication; takes others communication into account.

2.4 Authenticity: fosters and enhances the teaching and learning process while exercising judgment about personal and professional boundaries.

2.5 Collaborativeness: involves and works with others in planning, problem solving and learning.

2.6 Voice: is willing to openly engage and respond to peers, faculty, teachers, and administrators, parents, and community as need arises.

Candidates with this set of dispositions display the capacity to envision and craft things in novel and meaningful ways to meet the needs of students. The following list comprises many, but not all, of the qualities, tendencies, and/or behaviors which characterize a set of creative dispositions:

3.1 Flexibility: adapts, adjusts, and modifies practices to meet the needs of students and peers: thinks on one's feet: is comfortable with change.

3.2 Inventiveness: uses the needs and interests of students to approach curricular and strategic decisions; visualizes and implements novel ideas and practices.

3.3 Resourcefulness: uses resources in effective ways; adapts practices to unforeseen challenges.

3.4 Resilience: endures stress and maintains stability in the face of disruption and/or chaos; recovers poise or spirit that enables moving forward in an effective manner.

Candidates with this set of dispositions have the ability to examine closely, to critique, and to ask questions. They do not accept the status quo at face value but employ higher level thinking skills to evaluate, analyze, and synthesize. Self-evaluation and reflection characterize candidates with this set of dispositions. The following list comprises many, but not all, of the qualities, tendencies, and/or behaviors that characterize a set of critical dispositions:

4.1 Reflectiveness: takes time consistently to evaluate effectiveness of instruction and behavior in terms of the larger goals of education nurtures reflectivity in students and peers; reflects on own growth and accountability.

4.2 Initiative: exhibits a willingness to pursue solutions to problems or questions; gathers relevant data and persistently seeks to improve situations or areas of need.

4.3 Open-mindedness: exhibits an ability to look at different sides of an issue; recognizes the possibility of error in one's own beliefs and practices; does not display or act on prejudices against people or ideas.

4.4 Efficacy: nurtures high-expectations, demonstrates self-direction and confidence, and empowers students and peers.

These are qualities and practices that teacher candidates must exhibit in order to be recommended for licensure, some of which are explicit in the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics and Code of Rights and Responsibilities. The candidates will display all of the following qualities and/or behaviors that characterize this set of professional requirements. Also, because each of these is considered absolutely necessary, each one will be separately assessed:

5.1 Professionalism: endeavors to meet the standards expected of a teacher such as appropriateness of dress, grooming, demeanor, punctuality, tact, discretion, courtesy, etc.

5.2 Personal and Professional Ethics and Integrity: adheres strongly to high moral principles and ethical standards as expressed in the Iowa Code; evidences integrity.

5.3 Work Ethic/Responsibility: attends to school policy for teacher attendance; completes teaching related tasks in a thorough and efficient manner.

5.4 Confidentiality: complies with federal, state, and school policies relating to confidentiality.

Questions about these policies, or looking for academic support?
Tom Hicks
Student Support Coordinator
tom-hicks@uiowa.edu

Responsible administrator
Mark A.  McDermott
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Educator Preparation
mark-a-mcdermott@uiowa.edu