1

Professional Dispositions Self-Assessment Reflective Paper

Travon Watkins

Brandman University
 2

Professional Demeanor & Responsibility

Regarding punctuality at my fieldwork sites, I typically enter the school about ten

minutes before the first bell rings. Morning fatigue and morning traffic tends to slow me down,

but If I’m consistent with bedtime and wake-up times, I can get to my sites fifteen to twenty

minutes before the initial bell rings. I reserve this time to schedule my day.

Business causal or causal dress (polo shirt or buttoned shirt, jeans, and sneakers) works

well for me, since I tend to do lots of walking to and from classes when pulling students for

counseling, consulting with teachers, and conducting student observations.

I put unnecessary pressure on myself when procrastinating to begin assignments, even

though I complete them on the required deadline. I have juggled a variety of responsibilities

since entering the Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) program. It is an exciting, yet

stressful time and meeting deadlines are high on my list of priorities.

At my field site, when the directions are unclear, I am not shy at all about clarifying

because I want to ensure I am completing tasks appropriately. Therefore, I am good at following

directions but selective of who and when I ask for clarity. I am a true believer and practitioner of

accepting responsibility for my own actions. Truth is, my actions are carried out by me, so I

cannot blame anyone for my behavior outside of myself.

When I make a mistake at either field site, I quickly apologize and acknowledge the

mistake that I made. Do I get disappointed at making mistakes? Of course, but I also realize that

mistakes are teaching moments. After accepting my disappoint and practicing self-talk, I reflect

on what I learned from the event. Learning from mistakes helps with developing flexibility and

adapting to change. While I am not a proponent of abrupt change, I am aware that change is
 3

evitable, and it is sometimes outside of my control. Thus, I am left with fighting the brick wall

and figuring out ways to adapt. It is not easy, but it is necessary.

I believe I act appropriately under stress. For example, at one of my field sites I assisted

in stopping a student from punching his one-on-one aid, I went into a classroom to calm a

student who brought a knife to school, and helped prevent a student from running into the streets

after he exited the main building. Working around children helps me to exhibit a positive attitude

toward them and although some adults have lot passion in nurturing children, many more have

not.

Commitment to Learning for ALL Students

It takes work but I do my best to accept all students, families, and staff members,

regardless of individual differences. In my belief, all human beings are deserving of my respect,

until they prove me wrong. My fieldwork sites comprise over 80 percent Hispanic/Latino

students, yet I do not treat them differently, because of our different ethnicities. They are entitled

to a fair and just education, to a system that makes them feel important, and to a school counselor

intern who shows them respect. I have tried to respond to their needs with sincerity, compassion,

and patience. I am human with my own biases, but I try to check myself in order to offer support

that reflects the best interest of the students.

Communication

One of the most important skill that I have developed over the years is my ability to

actively listening. I have interacted with people from varying backgrounds and noticed that solid

rapport was built due to my willingness to focus and hear them with my heart and mind. There

have been situations at my field sites where students were yelling and screaming, but because of

my calm demeanor and interest in their story, they were able to settle down a bit. The audiences
 4

in which I have used my communication skills with include, adults (staff and parents) and

students from all grade levels. My commitment to improving my these skills are displayed when

I read articles such as, Engaging Youth with the Power of Listening, by Judith Schubert, which

focuses on the importance of and steps to utilizing active listening with children.

Collaboration

I had the opportunity to practice my communication skills and collaborate with

colleagues during a recent counselor’s meeting. We reviewed attendance, threat assessments, and

the tasks each counselor completes at their sites as related to the California Standards for the

School Counseling Profession. I was impressed by our ability to work smoothly in small groups

and relieved by how the counselors responded to my suggestions. It felt good but I reminded

myself to stay neutral when disagreements arose. As the meeting progressed, I expressed my

thoughts about having a family focus when addressing attendance issues. Also, I was able to

listen and respect the opinions of the experienced counselors. When it comes to collaboration, it

is not about showing how smart you are, how much more work one does than others, or

complaining too much. Though, a little complaining is good and expected during these meetings.

Instead, I think the aim should be about expressing oneself, learning as much as you can from

others, and contributing to any activities presented.

Self-Reflection

Constructive criticism, especially if conducted positively and professionally, is the

cornerstone of improvement. I encourage my field instructors to provide me with constructive

criticism, because it fosters growth. Although I come from a mental health background, I

acknowledge that I am not yet a school counselor, so all experiences and new ideas assists me in

better serving students and their families. Personal and professional growth are important to me,
 5

just as helping students with their overall growth and development. I try to engage in some form

of self-reflection every day. For instance, at the end of the day or before the start of each day, I

write down three things that went well and three things I want to improve upon. This keeps me

humble, confident, and understanding of the fact that I am still learning to become a better

person.

Ethics

I do my best to display truthfulness and honesty, but I admit that sometimes I am tactful

in my interactions with staff, in order to avoid confrontations. I understand that I must keep the

peace with staff in order to help students progress. Even when I disagree with the way a staff

member treats a student or a parent, I try to set aside my personal opinions. I take pride in my

work and my interactions with others, it is great to know that I can foster trust among people

while not taking advantage of them. I do not want others behaving unethically or illegally

towards me, so I try to exhibit this behavior in return. I want to make a difference; not make

trouble. I respect the ethical and legal standards of the profession and depict this by maintain

confidentiality and explaining its limits to students and parents. It is a lot of information to grasp

and remember but this is the profession I chose and the ethics I will comply with.