Expectations of Faculty Members at Robert College

Teachers should be well-informed about Robert College's Statement of Purpose. It is our guiding document. As teachers we teach by example as well as by precept; we should demonstrate in our lives at school the qualities we want our students to develop. Robert College assumes that each faculty member will strive to exhibit in their work the characteristics outlined below without sacrificing the individual perspectives and strengths essential to an interesting diverse faculty.

In their classroom work, a teacher should exhibit the following characteristics:

· a superior command of his/her subject.

· a vitality and love of learning that is contagious and which helps students develop an appreciation of strong scholarship and encourages them to develop their own academic and intellectual interests.

· a habit of regular and punctual classes attendance.
the presentation of material in a clear and well-organized fashion.

· the ability to maintain a sense of order and control in the classroom which fosters the flow of ideas and learning by all members of the class.

· the use of a variety of approaches in the classroom which reflect the varied learning styles of students in the class.

· the preparation and assignment of well-designed, useful homework assignments

· the careful, fair, and prompt evaluation of student work.

Teachers at Robert College should have a genuine interest in the personal growth of students. We expect them to:

· genuinely enjoy young people.

· make themselves available during non-classroom hours to assist students.

· aspire to help students gain self-confidence by meeting reasonable goals and challenges.

· demonstrate a sincere concern for the development of students' moral growth: honesty; judgment; a respect for the needs, rights, and property of others; acceptance of personal responsibility for one's actions.

· exhibit a genuine interest in helping students grow into "responsible contributing citizens, able and willing to assume positions of leadership in Turkey and abroad."

· share their personal interests with students through the co-curricular activities program.

· Help students, and boarding students in particular, by assisting when needed after hours.

Since effective communication is essential to the working of a good school, all teachers are expected to:

· make sure they are informed about school policies and procedures and related matters which effect our students (such as the school's rules and regulations, our system for passing/promotion, issues related to university admissions, etc.)

· provide thoughtful assessment of student progress.

· be helpful when talking to parents and others regarding the progress (or lack of progress) of a student.

· communicate in a timely and thoughtful fashion with other teachers, Dept Heads, administrators, and other members of the community as needed. Discuss a problem with the person most likely to be able to help solve it.

Faculty who serve as Home-Room Teachers are expected to:

· know their advisees well and keep current concerning their overall development.

· communicate in a timely fashion with the class counselor about any significant difficulty a student is having.

· Help students find solutions to academic, social, or personal problems.

· fulfill specific duties explained in information for Home-Room Teachers

As club advisors, teachers should:

· provide energetic leadership and support of the club activity.

· offer, where possible, information and technical guidance about the activities of the club. (If a faculty member does not feel well-prepared to offer such guidance or instruction, s/he should talk to the Dean of Student Activities about ways support might be provided.)

· help students in the club develop their own organizational and leadership skills.

· work with students to develop realistic plans for the academic year.

· ensure that the club submits to the Dean of Student Activities of (1) a statement of goals at the beginning of the year and (2) a report at the end of each term indicating whether or not the goals for the term or year have been met as well as suggestions of ways the club’s activities could be improved the following year.

The development of a strong and supportive sense of community within the school is everyone's responsibility. It is expected that faculty members will:

· show interest in school issues.
· contribute to the welfare of the community and the individuals who are part of it.

· attend school-wide functions and performances (such as student performances or games, major social events planned for the faculty)

As responsible professionals, teachers are expected to show good judgment and integrity in all aspects of their work at Robert College. It is assumed that they will:

· treat others responsibly and with fair-mindedness.
· attend school regularly and meet responsibilities faithfully unless illness prevents their doing so.

· develop relationships with students which are constructive and responsible

· understand when confidentiality is important and exercise discretion regarding the privacy of faculty discussions or business pertaining to a particular student.

· respect the guidelines established by the Headmaster regarding dress code, appearance, and other matters of decorum.

As role models, faculty members are expected to demonstrate the capacity for and interest in their own continuing growth, as teachers and as human beings. It is expected that each teacher will:

· have a desire to develop his/her talents and abilities as classroom teacher and remain informed on the developments in his/her field. This is a key area in a teacher’s evaluation.

· continue to seek ways to better fulfill their roles within the school.

· support efforts to improve instruction within their department.

If you have any questions about the above guidelines, please do not hesitate to talk to me.