Applied Practice in Context - Activity 5. Law and Ethics Influence on Ethical Practice
Applied Practice in Context Week 29 - Law and Ethics Influence on Ethical Practice
Activity 5. My Ethical Dilemma
In my position, I have to make ethical decisions all the time. From the words that come out of my mouth (remember Keri, engage the brain before the mouth) to the responses to emails from tauira, whanau, colleagues and outside providers engaged to work with tauira in school, administration of our class blog on our school website, and interaction within our school Facebook page.
We are charged with being “of good character” who is deemed “fit to be a teacher” (New Zealand Teacher Registration Board, 1991: 12).
What is good character? I have met some amazing people who do not model being good character… they just are! They are the people I associate myself with now to become a better me.
I have a happy, bubbly and friendly personality. I build relationships with tauira, whanau, colleagues, and the community I work in. It’s who I am.
In my teaching career it has caused a few problems and has lead me to think about my ethical dilemma being centred around the blurring socialisation of roles with the people I work with, most specifically my children’s teachers. Add into that the digital age and social media, and what effect it has on my children, colleagues, my professionalism and me.
The Code of Ethics lists the following specific attributes:
4. COMMITMENT TO THE PROFESSION
In fulfillment of their obligations to the teaching profession, teachers will strive to:
- advance the interests of the teaching profession through responsible ethical practice
- contribute to the development of an open and reflective professional culture
- treat colleagues and associates with respect, working with them co-operatively and collegially to promote students' learning
- assist newcomers to the profession
- respect confidential information on colleagues unless disclosure is required by the law or serves a compelling professional purpose
- speak out if the behaviour of a colleague is seriously in breach of this Code.
I am drawn to the word respect.
As as mother of two daughters, one 20 and the other 12, they have had a few teachers over the years at different schools.
Hall (2001), provided a list of questions to help solve ethical and professional problems which I can apply to my dilemma.
1. What is the problem? The blurring socialisation of roles with the people I work with, most especially my children’s teachers. There is the possibility of fall out when working at the same school as my children.
2. Who are the main stakeholders with interests in the problem, and what are their interests? Myself - as a teacher, my children’s teachers - whom I trust with their education, and my children.
3. Which stakeholder should be given priority? Why? Tricky one as I feel we all have equal priorities. Myself, as it is my job which is at stake. My colleague as it is her job at stake, and my children have a right to the best educators possible.
4. What restrictions are there to your actions? As a teacher I need to behave in a professional manner. However, as a mentor teacher for my children's teachers there is the possibility for over familiarity. There are hard conversations we have to have with some parents, and likewise my children’s teachers may have to do the same. Plus there’s also the situation when we may disagree and the friendship/professional relationship could be affected.
5. Which courses of action are possible? The main one is to have checks and balances in place between us around the ethics of our situation. To have open dialogue and to maintain professionalism while at work. To have another person that we are able to talk with if we are unable to solve any issues we have by ourselves.
6. Can you identify precedent cases that are similar to this one? Yes. Perceived over familiarity by a tutor teacher, over my friendship with my daughter’s teacher. We were both reprimanded for being unprofessional because we had a social media connection as well as a professional one. The Principal had a zero social media presence and was not open to conversation about being socially connected.
7. Which courses of action are least acceptable? Why? To allow the friendship to blur the Teacher/Parent lines of professionalism while at work. To allow myself to behave unprofessionally if the friendship is adversely affected.
8. How should the course of action be implemented? To maintain a professional relationship while at school. To keep a check on our personal relationship out of school, keeping it private and not on social media.
The word I come back to is respect.
Respect for self, respect for others, respect for the profession.
Should I accept the friend request from her teacher and other colleagues? Should I friend request her teacher and other colleagues?
Should I ‘stalk’ her teacher’s profile and those of other teachers who work with my child?
Should I speak out if I see anything contrary to the CoE?
We know what the CoE says and how we should act as professionals. What I have to do is be responsible for myself, my actions and my future, while supporting colleagues to do so as well.
References
Education Council. (n.d). The Education Council Code of Ethics for Certificated Teachers. Retrieved from https://educationcouncil.org.nz/content/code-of-et...
Hall, A. (2001). What ought I to do, all things considered? An approach to the exploration of ethical problems by teachers. Paper presented at the IIPE Conference, Brisbane. Retrieved from http://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Culture/Developing-leaders/What-Ought-I-to-Do-All-Things-Considered-An-Approach-to-the-Exploration-of-Ethical-Problems-by-Teachers
A very interesting read Kerry. We are all human and want the best for our children but I certainly empathise with your situation; it can be difficult drawing a line between your role as a fellow professional and a parent when you are at the same school. It is very easy to say that we can act like professionals and keep the 2 areas separate but in reality they are not- they are interwoven. What would I do if this was me? I think I would certainly refrain from being part of each others online social network and agree together that discussions about colleagues/students have to be kept at a truly professional level- at school and in the right context. It would be a great shame if you lost a friend or job because the lines became so blurred they blended into nothing. In saying that it is possible to maintain a fantastic friendship as long as the boundaries are laid out clearly by you both. Good luck- and I agree entirely with your comment that your children are entitled to the best educators, ones you trust to provide that.
ReplyDeleteKeri you mentioned quite a few difficult things that we have to deal with as teachers everyday. Over familiarity is just one thing that can lead to a sticky situation. At high school it is even more important to avoid that if you can. Social media has so many pitfalls and an innocent and well intended action can lead to all sorts of problems.
ReplyDeleteTautoko Keri. It indeed is a curly one especially with the new Code of Conduct coming in July 2017 to replace the current Code of Ethics. The specific part that's new are the statements "modelling a high standard of behaviour, both inside and outside the learning environments" and "communicating and using social media appropriately". Despite best intentions, what is deemed appropriate by one may not be by another and it's that wee grey area which scares me. I looked at this in my own blog entry and it's still one I haven't figured out. Kia ora.
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