Ethics
This term describes doing what is right all the time, not just when someone is watching. It is a core expectations in the Model code of Ethics for educators.
What is Integrity.
Open Question- How have you represented integrity in your classroom?
This is the professional action a teacher should take when a student asks for their personal social media handle.
What is politely declining and redirecting to school-approved communication channels?
Open question- How could social media help you be a leader at your school appropriately? Is there a right way to do it?
Recognizing and valuing differences and similarities between individuals from different cultural backgrounds and upholding respect for all.
What is cultural diversity.
Open question- How have you represented cultural diversity?
Because a grading modification like an extra week on a project is not allowed unless it’s documented in an IEP, the teacher’s choice to grant that extra week only on suspicion of personal issues is considered this.
What is unethical because a modification is not allowed without an IEP?
Open question- What ethical decision could be made here for the best outcome?
This virtue involves telling the truth and being transparent with responses and actions even if it is hard or difficult.
What is Honesty.
Open question- How can being honest or dishonest change the outcome of an interaction with a student, colleague, or family?
According to the Model Code of Ethics for Educators, educators should protect student information such as personal information, sensitive cultural details, and academic records.
What is student privacy.
Open question- Why is it important that this is kept private?
This boundary is crossed when a student asks to be given a ride home alone by a teacher without prior administrative approval.
What is declining to give the student a ride so that there is no inappropriate transportation arrangement that violates school policy?
Open question- What would you do instead to ensure they get home safely?
Celebrating a variety of holidays from different cultures promotes this inclusive classroom value.
What is cultural appreciation.
Open question- How much effort have you put in to learn about and honor students different cultural holidays?
Accepting a student’s Facebook friend request may seem supportive, but it crosses professional lines and compromises appropriate teacher–student distance. The decision to accept the friend request is considered this.
What is unethical because it violates basic professional boundaries?
Open question- What is a good rule to set for this? What if the student is a family friend?
This virtue is demonstrated when a teacher shows genuine concern for a students and sees them as a whole person with unique experiences.
What is Compassion.
Open question- How can compassion be shown to help create a culturally aware and accepting classroom? Do you currently represent this in your classroom?
When an educator avoids favoritism and provides all students with what they need to learn they represent this ethical principle.
What is equity.
Open question- How could inequity effect a students academic achievements and self-confidence?
This occurs when a teacher shares confidential information about a student with another teacher who is not involved with that student.
What is a breach of student confidentiality?
Open question- Are there any situations where you think you may have shared something that did not need to be? What could be improved?
Integrating students cultural background into teaching and the classroom environment to make learning more effective, meaningful, and inclusive.
What is culturally responsive teaching.
Open question- How does your classroom currently represent culturally responsive teaching? Could it be improved at all?
Even though the student is normally honest and under extreme personal stress, a teacher who applies the usual academic penalties after catching cheating is acting in this way.
What is ethical because cheating is intolerable in an academic setting?
Open question- How have you gone about this in the past? Did you give the normal penalty?
This virtue is essential to speak up for students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, to ensure equal learning opportunities.
What is Advocacy.
Open Question- When is advocacy needed? How much have you thoroughly advocated for a student?
This ethical decision requires educators to report something that may cause a student harm or puts their safety at risk.
What is mandatory reporting?
Open question- Have you ever had this happen to you? How could your actions be improved next time to better support the student?
Documenting grades accurately and refusing to change them without proper evidence, while reporting any pressure to the appropriate oversight office.
What is maintaining grading integrity?
Open question- What virtues defend this? Describe a situation where this has come up in your classroom?
Your school wants to implement a reading program that represents certain cultures only through deficit narratives. Fighting for a more authentic and inclusive representation shows this educational stance.
What is cultural advocacy.
Open question- How can you recognize when something needs advocated for? What have you advocated for in the past?
When two students break the same rule, changing the punishment based on one student’s marginalized background instead of applying the same consequence to both can create perceived bias. Adjusting the punishment in that way would be this.
What is unethical because standards must be upheld to prevent perceived bias?
Open question- How does this take away fairness and inclusivity in the classroom? Does it represent fairness across cultures?
A teacher who adjust their instruction to ensure every student has an opportunity to learn and avoids biases represent which professional disposition and virtue?
What is fairness.
Open question- Have you ever encountered a situation where you felt you did not act with fairness? How could it be improved for the future?
Another educator has been making culturally insensitive jokes in the staff lunch room. Although it is not directly in front of students, it creates a harmful environment. What is the core principle from the Model Code of Ethics for Educators that the teacher has the responsibility to uphold?
What is maintaining a professional environment or upholding ethical conduct among educators.
Open question- If this situation were to happen to you, do you believe you would speak up as the Model Code of Ethics describes?
A parent asks to discuss their child outside of professional settings, what should you do?
What is redirecting a parent to appropriate meeting settings?
Open question- What could be a negative outcome if discussed in the wrong setting?
This term describes the process where individuals adapt their behavior and communication styles when interacting with people from different cultures to avoid misunderstandings.
What is cultural adaption or flexibility.
Open question- How can you be a leader to coworkers struggling to be inclusive in their classroom? What should be done?
A teacher personally disagrees with a school policy but still presents and enforces it as written in front of students in order to maintain a united front with the school. This approach is considered this.
What is ethical because the teacher upholds the school’s stance?
Open question- What is a policy you have disagreed with? What did you do about it?
When in conflict with students, families, or staff, an educator should use this virtue which considers diverse perspectives and personal virtues to ensure a outcome full of equity, compassion, and professional integrity.
What is ethical decision making or reasoning.
Open question- In what ways can complete ethical decision making benefit your classroom? What ways has it benefitted in the past?