Leah Schott

Sister Lois Sculco

Senior Seminar
21 October 2014
Code of Ethics
In my profession as an educator of young children, it is essential that
there be a Code of Ethics that guides my work and incorporates values and
standards. These ethical codes should foster a safe and healthy environment
to teach in and promote learning. The National Education Association
provides a Code of Ethics with two principles: Commitment to the Student
and Commitment to the Profession. I have chosen to discuss ten major points
from this Code of Ethics that I believe are the most important in my field of
education. I will begin with the ethics under Commitment to the Profession
first and discuss the points from least to most important.
There were three major concepts that I believe are important to follow
as a professional in the education field. The first deals with respecting our
colleagues and not making false or malicious statements about them. We
teach our students to treat others how they would want to be treated. As
professionals, educators should be also expected to follow this rule because
it will create a supportive and positive community. Colleagues should be able
to trust each other and work together for the well being of their students.
This goes along with the next point of not disclosing information about a
colleague for unprofessional reasons unless required by law. Respecting each

others privacy and confidentiality is vital in building trust between

colleagues. For instance, if a principal evaluates a teacher and a colleague
finds out the teachers results, they should not share this information freely
with others. Lastly, a professional should not misrepresent their
qualifications. Educators go through rigorous education programs to become
prepared to deal with whatever is given to them. It is important for a person
to be completely honest when listing qualifications not only to provide the
best education for the students, but also for safety precautions. For instance,
if a teacher is not qualified in special education yet is put into a situation
where they must deal with those challenges, they will not be equipped to
handle it in a professional manner.
The principle regarding a Commitment to the Student is perhaps even
more important as a teachers influence on her students is so great. It is a
teachers job to help students realize their full potential and reach goals to
become an effective member of society. The first point under this principal is
a professional educator should not inhibit students from independent action
in the pursuit of learning. Teachers are to foster independence and stimulate
inquiry in their students meaning they are to allow students to think and
explore for themselves. For example, a teacher should not stop a student
from trying to solve a math problem an alternative way or should not
discourage further research of a topic if a student is interested. In fact,
teachers should encourage students to take learning into their own hands
because it will allow individuals to develop a love of learning.

Next, a professional in the education field should not suppress or

distort subject matter relevant to student progress. The best example that I
can think of that I believe happens often is an educator teaching his or her
own opinion or skipping information due to a lack of time. This is an
important concept because teachers can create misunderstandings in their
students knowledge of a topic that they may need to succeed.
Furthermore, a teacher should not intentionally expose the student to
embarrassment or belittlement. I have seen this occur before in the
education setting. Teachers will embarrass a student by calling out their
mistakes in front of the class or publicly punish them. This is no way for a
teacher to gain a students trust or respect. Sometimes the student may
even begin to fear their teacher. A teacher should be approachable,
supportive, positive, and constructive. An educator is there to shape a child
into the best person they can be, which is best done when a student learns
from their mistakes and how to correct them through positive reinforcement.
Next, the educator should not deny unreasonable access to varying
viewpoints. With diversity growing in schools and our world changing, it is
absolutely vital for teachers to allow their students to experience new
perspectives. For example, if discussing a current world event, a teacher
should not hide any sides or viewpoints of a story and allow her students to
develop their own opinions about what they believe.
Coming in third most important for this Code of Ethics is the point that
educators should not disclose personal student information unless disclosure

serves a professional or lawful purpose. This is similar to the commitment to

our profession in not exposing our colleagues either. For example, in special
education, there are great amounts of files and paperwork containing
personal information about a students disability and behaviors. Teachers are
to keep this information confidential in order to protect the student and their
privacy and build trust.
Discrimination within education is a huge concept that must be
considered in a Code of Ethics. Teachers should not exclude, deny benefits,
or give advantages to any student based on race, color, creed, sex, origin,
beliefs, background, etc. Every student deserves and has the right to equal
opportunities to learn and succeed. It is critical that teachers are sensitive to
every student no matter what. An example that comes to mind is dealing
with English Language Learners (ELL). As ELL are becoming more prevalent
in classrooms today, teachers must accommodate these students and modify
instruction to fit their needs. Just because a student has difficulty speaking
English doesnt mean they shouldnt be included in a class activity because
they may not understand the material.
Lastly, I believe the most important concept an educator should follow
is protecting students from conditions harmful to their learning or safety.
Safety and security is an important value of mine and I wish to provide my
students with it, as well. While students are in school, it is a teachers
responsibility to make sure they are safe and secure. School should be a
safe place for students to come where they can escape. For effective

learning to even occur, students must feel comfortable in a safe environment

so they can fully concentrate. For example, a teacher should let her students
know that she is there to talk about any concerns. She should create a warm
and bright classroom that is welcoming and age appropriate. This point also
includes being aware of the schools safety procedures and remaining calm
and confident in stressful situations.
I believe that nearly all of the key themes in Catholic Social Teaching
can be applied to this Code of Ethics in some way. The themes I see most
relevant, however, are the common good, participation, and dignity of work.
The common good is seen by each student being treated fairly and given
equal opportunities to learn. With participation, a teacher is to ensure that
students are active in their own learning and take away from their
experiences. A school is a community and its policies explain the social
nature of the human person because individual educators have rights within
the school just as students and these rights are protected.
I believe that all of these concepts are important to follow as a
professional in the education field. Adhering to the ethical standards
mentioned above, a teacher will demonstrate truth, responsibility, respect,
and confidence and be able to serve the needs of all students and work in
harmony with her colleagues. I believe in all of these things as they relate to
my own values of love, security, justice, honesty, and compassion. As a
future professional in education, I aspire to follow this Code of Ethics in order

to provide the highest quality of work, which will allow me to make a real
difference in my community.