BUILDING PROFESSIONAL PRIDE IN LITERACY

What should professionalism mean in the literacy field?  Quigley cites the results of a survey of literacy practitioners. According to one participant, ‘To act “professionally” in literacy and adult education is to self-educate in professional development.’ Another replied that literacy practitioners act professionally when they view ‘students as most valued clients and attempt to engage their individual needs and goals within a high-quality program of basic skills instruction.’ The theme of caring was one of the strongest points made. Quigley quoted from another survey participant: ‘To act professionally in adult literacy one is service-oriented, friendly and accountable. A professional is ethical (with) strong values, especially those pertaining to literacy and the population one serves’.