Running head: [CODE OF ETHICS] 1

My Personal Code of Ethics

Julie A. Quackenbush

EDUC 600 Ethics in School and Society

Viterbo University
[CODE OF ETHICS] 2

My Personal Code of Ethics

Overview

A teacher is a professional educator and as such should act in a manner of

professionalism at all times. This professionalism is acting in a manner that conveys dignity and

respect towards, self, students, peers, and community members.

Principle One: Ethical Conduct Becoming a Teacher

Teachers shall:

● Provide students with choice and voice

● Be a positive role model whom leads by example; demonstrating good citizenship

● Be courageous and fearless

● Be fair and equitable; provide a quality education

● Be cognizant of a student’s potential

● Promote the well-being of all students

Teachers shall not:

● Seek to make an example of student; embarrass or disrespect a student

● Treat a student unfairly- either with too much praise or too much prejudice

● Share confidential information regarding a student unless it is necessary for their personal

safety or required by law enforcement

Principle Two: Ethical Conduct in Practice and Professionalism.

Teachers shall:

● Be democratic

● Embrace challenge

● Provide experience with conflict

[CODE OF ETHICS] 3

● Understand that truth comes in multiple points of view

● Follow all laws and school policies

● Collaborate with, respect, and recognize the efforts of peer educators

● Provide support, encouragement, and suggestion to new teachers

● Strive to grow personally and professionally through developmental opportunities

● Behave professionally

● Teach about those whom are different

● Accept differences; care for one another

Teachers shall not:

● Speak ill of colleagues or school district staff

● Forge or falsely modify professional qualifications

● Make false accusations regarding colleagues or school district staff

● Falsely change or modify a student’s grade

Principle Three: Ethical Conduct Towards Parents and Community Members.

Teachers shall:

● Have knowledge of the community - including events, issues, or concerns it may face

● Be a positive community member by playing an active part in community events

● Communicate regularly with parents in a professional manner, any information regarding

their student

● Be an active member in their community; leading by a positive example

Teachers shall not:

● Argue with parents or community members

● Press their beliefs upon anyone else

[CODE OF ETHICS] 4

● Behave unprofessionally

Conclusion

A teacher needs to always act in the best interest of their students at all times. A teacher must

remember that they are a professional. At times the frustrations and behaviors of students may

weigh on the nerves of a teacher, however it is important to note that we must remain calm and

keep our cool at all times. Teachers are a member of the school. This means that they represent

their school, even while out as a member in their community. They are to behave in an

appropriate manner becoming of a teacher at all times both in and out of the classroom. They

play the part of spokesman, advocate and role model and should conduct themselves with respect

at all times.
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References

Beane, J. A. (2005). A Reason to Teach: Creating Classrooms of Dignity and Hope. Portsmouth,

NH:Heinemann.

Markham, L. (2016). Our School: An Arctic community prepares its young people for the future,

Orion. 20-31.

Meier, D. (2002). In schools we trust: Creating communities of learning in an era of testing and

standardization. Boston: Beacon Press.

Morrison, K. (2008). Democratic Classrooms: Promises and Challenges of Student Voice and

Choice. Educational Horizons.

Palmer, P. T. (n.d.). Democracy: The endless experiment :Center for courage & Renewal.

Retrieved January 21, 2019, from http://www.couragerenewal.org/democracyguide/v7/

Palmer, P. T. (n.d.). Parker Palmer on Power and Powerlessness. Retrieved February 13, 2019,

from https://huzzaz.com/video/23030

watch?v=jTKklH4Hdjg

Palmer, P. J. (n.d.). Five Habits of the Heart that Help Make Democracy Possible. Retrieved

from

wwwCourageRenewal.org

Palmer, P. J. (n.d.). The second habit of the heart: An appreciation of otherness. Retrieved from

http://www.couragerenewal.org/democracyguide/v14/
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Palmer, P. J. (2017). The courage to teach: Exploring the inner landscape of a teachers life. San

Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, a Wiley brand.

Palmer, P. J. (1990) Retrieved from

https://www.couragerenewal.org/PDFs/Parker-Palmer_Good-Teaching.pdf

Sapon-Shevin, M. (2010). Because we can change the world: A practical guide to building

cooperative, inclusive classroom communities. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Wallace, H. (2018, May 15). Committed Sardines [Video file]. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/

Westheimer, J. (2015). What kind of citizen? Educating Our Children For the Common Good.

New York: Teachers College Press.