- Viewpoint: In this discussion, students learned about the state guidelines for teachers. After taking a shirt online test, it provided examples of teacher ethics. Students were required to describe the selected questions determined by the professor.
- What was your score on this 20 question test?
- Describe what you discovered by taking this test. For example, did anything surprise you? Write at least one full paragraph.
General Ethics Questions
- Who was your favorite teacher? Why? Identify the ethical dimensions inherent in the reasons you cite.
- Think about your philosophy of teaching – How does this communicate your personal ethical code?
- Why are teachers held to a higher standard of conduct than other professions?
- Why do these conduct expectations apply to a teacher’s personal life as well as his or her private life?
- Does the teaching profession need a code of conduct? Why?
- Which of the areas of the Code might be the most challenging for a new teacher? Why?
Case Study Video 1 Questions (The Ethical Teacher)
- What could Daphne have done differently? If you were in Daphne's situation, what would you have done?
- Although the video mainly focuses on the professional repercussions to Daphne's actions, her decisions also had an effect on her personal life. Identify all of the areas of Daphne Hartford's life that were affected.
- Immanuel Kant proposed the concept of "universality" as a test when considering whether an action is ethical or not. In Kant's view of universality, people should act only in a way that would be acceptable if it was the moral standard for all to follow. Would it be acceptable for everyone to act the way Daphne Hartford acted? How would that affect schools and students' learning?
- Do you feel that Daphne Hartford's actions were unethical or unprofessional? Why or why not?
Case Study Video 2 Questions (Relationships with Students)
- According to the Georgia Code of Ethics, what are the professional expectations of teachers with regard to their relationships with students?
- How can a teacher foster positive, professional relationships with students?
- How is the appropriate teacher-student boundary defined?
- In many situations where teachers have inappropriate relationships with students, traditional teaching boundaries are crossed and the teacher-student relationship becomes blurred. What events led to the boundaries becoming crossed? How did the teacher-student relationship become blurred? What was the impact of the relationship on the student?
- Do you agree with the action that Kim's mother took to protect her child?
- If you suspected a colleague of committing this type of behavior, what would you do? Do you feel that you have a duty to report the misconduct of colleagues? What factors inform your conclusion?
Case Study Video 3 Questions (Fostering and Ethical School Climate)
- Teachers have a fiduciary responsibility to act in their students’ best interest and protect them from harm (physically, emotionally and psychological). Is the discipline policy implemented by this teacher consistent with this expectation? Explain.
- The teacher could argue that doing sit-ups and pushups is acceptable considering these are activities that students would be asked to do in their physical education classes. Do you agree with this argument?
- How is this case different from school corporal punishment?
- What type of classroom culture does this discipline policy create?
Summary
According to the critical and contemporary learning information, teachers and students relationships are very important. Most parents do not worry about leaving their child at school because they believe this is a safe environment. Each child is required to attend school or receive an approved educational source. According to Herr (2004), the ethical guidelines are standards to protect children, teachers and school systems. It is essential that teachers understand the guidelines and avoid creating personal relationships with their student. Each day teachers are responsible for ensuring that children are in safe protected environment. Teachers have the ability to build positive relationships with students that makes them vulnerable, which is why boundaries are in place to protect children who are involved adults and child relationship states Herr (2004).
Research Question
How do the ethical standards set for teachers positively affect students in the classroom?
According to Herr (2004), ethical considerations and concerns for teachers ensure that they are able to be held accountable for their actions. The ethical guidelines within the educational systems allow the staff to participant in training that explains how to protect themselves and protect the students. Most teachers seem to have a high level of self-respect. They seem to have the good intentions for their students. An ethical guideline is in place to help employees to understand how to conduct themselves around children and young adults. The education system is differentiated by the age groups. The schools system has a curriculum for education that meets that student’s age and developmental levels. Teachers are adults, which makes them more mature than students. The ethical guidelines protect the children, while they are in this learning environment.
School are a great place for the expression of creativity, enlightens and the pursuit of knowledge. It is imperative to address the fact that some teachers have used the relationship with their student to gain power, influence and control. According to Herr (2004), ethics are in place to guide teachers through tough choices and provide highest standards of professional conduct. The empowerment that teachers have can influence students. Many children have experienced molestation, rape, or mental abuse due a teacher who is not following ethical guidelines. Providing support for these students may help to overcome these traumatic experiences and go on to live a happy life.
Research Summary
In my opinion, it is important to set up policies to protect children. These guidelines are presented for teacher to follow and to be having accountable for their actions. These ethical instructions are for employees to understand how to conduct themselves. The school system were I attended school, had a curriculum that allowed students to grow in creativity and knowledge. I believe it is important to acknowledge a student’s potential and influence them for better choices. Teachers must provide a safe and positive environment for students to learn without fear.
Reference
Herr, Judy (2004). Working with young children. The Goodheart-Wilcox Company, Inc