The DOs and DONTs of Teaching

Alyssa McCarthy

Saint Marys University of Minnesota

Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs

Portfolio Entry for Wisconsin Teacher Standard 9

EDUW 695 Ethics and Issues in Education

Fall 2015
Wisconsin Teaching Standard (WTS) 9: Teachers are able to evaluate themselves.

The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his/her

choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning

community), and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

Knowledge. The teacher understands methods of inquiry that provide him/her with a

variety of self assessment and problem-solving strategies for reflecting on his/her practice, its

influences on students growth and learning, and the complex interactions between them.

Dispositions. The teacher is committed to seeking out, developing, and continually

refining practices that address the individual needs of students.

The teacher recognizes his/her professional responsibility for engaging in and supporting

appropriate professional practices for self and colleagues.

Performances. The teacher uses classroom observation, information about students,

cultural, social, and philosophical frameworks, and research as sources for evaluating the

outcomes of teaching and learning and as a basis for reflecting on and revising practice.
Alyssa McCarthy
695-Portfolio Entry
Code of Ethics Article

The DOs and DON'Ts of Teaching

Introduction: The Commitment

Whats the difference between a good teacher and a great one? What does a successful

educator look like? A successful educator makes a commitment to teach their students and to

protect them. Successful educators make a commitment to work as a team with their

colleagues, the parents and the community. Lastly, successful educators set an example of

respect, professionalism and responsibility in the classroom. Teachers are held to these higher

standards than legislation states because of their ability to impact a childs life.

Teachers have an ethical responsibility to students, coworkers, administrators, parents

and the community. In order to uphold this responsibility there needs to be a set of guidelines

that every successful educator follows within their classroom. Upholding this ethical

responsibility requires working and living with professionalism in mind. These guidelines, based

on past case law and current moral philosophy, are explained and applied below:

DO: Inspire to learn. Encourage and guide students to want more out of their education. Give

students access to the tools they need for a quality education.

DONT: Inhibit creativity. No two students learn exactly the same way. Allow independent

learning and different creative educational paths.

DO: Protect students as they grow. The classroom needs to be safe for all students.

Teachers need to protect the physical and emotional health of their students. Bullying and

teasing should not be tolerated.

DONT: Discriminate. All students despite race, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, and

sexual preference have the right to learn and should be included in the educational process.
DO: Be an honest team member. A teachers coworkers are his/her support system.

Educators should hold one another accountable to their qualifications. Dont slander a colleague

or cause division in the workplace. Be an effective team member.

DONT: Break confidentiality laws. Teachers are expected to keep student records

confidential. Support the parents and students legal rights. Be an advocate for the students

well being.

DO: Communicate. Teachers should communicate with the parents or guardians on a regular

basis. They should keep parents involved in their students education.

DO: Be educated. Continue learning professionally. Stay up to date on curriculum and

classroom procedures. Find new ways to teach and remain educated on field knowledge.

DO: Be an active community member. Represent the school district in the community with

honesty. Advocate for school policies and work to close achievement gaps.

DONT: Abuse your professional power. Teachers shouldnt use their position to take

advantage of students, parents or coworkers. This includes inappropriate relations with any

listed prior. It also includes never misrepresenting oneself and qualifications.