A Disposition on Ethics

Kayla Simpson
Fall 2014

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Introduction
Teachers are in charge of not only students, but of the future. We are role models to the
children that will walk into our classrooms, leaders of learning, and pioneers of discovering what
works best. Because of all this, we are held to a much higher standard than most. In order to
meet such high standards, the Code of Ethics has been written, to ensure that a teacher is being
held accountable. Meaning, it is a teachers job to demonstrate conduct that follows
generally recognized professional standards and preserves the dignity and integrity of the
teaching profession (The Code of Ethics for Educators, Standard Ten). We are accountable for
our conduct with children, our conduct within and out of the school, and also our conduct as
professionals.
Conduct with Children
How a teacher acts towards her students is probably the most important standard in the
Code of Ethics. Standard two states, An educator shall always maintain a professional
relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom (The Code of Ethics for
Educators). Committing child abuse, acts of cruelty, harassment, having any type of physical or
sexual relationship with, providing drugs, tobacco, or alcohol, or failing to report a student with
these items in their possession are all deemed unethical (The Code of Ethics for Educators,
Standard Two).
I believe that being cruel to a child is the number one thing a teacher should never do.
However, cruelty is easily seen in many of the schools I have observed in. My experiences at
Elam Alexander were some of the most upsetting. I understand that the children suffer from
behavior disorders, some ranging from just bad behavior to the more extreme cases of violent
bipolar, but that gives a teacher no right to lay their hands on the student. Restraining, yes.

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Grabbing their arm in a rough manner and jerking back, no. Some were cruel in less physical
ways, calling the children names, or making them cry over something very trivial, like dropping
their tray or getting sick.
We are not friends with our students. We are not bullies either. We are not there to form
inappropriate relationships with them. We are not their suppliers of drugs or alcohol. We are
their teachers. We are their role models. We need to show students what it is to be an ethical
and moral person. And not only are all of these unethical, some are even against the law. And
standard one states that An educator shall abide by federal, state, and local laws and
statutes (The Code of Ethics for Educators). By providing a minor with drugs, tobacco, or
alcohol, a teacher would be breaking more than just one law: possession (for drugs), planning to
distribute (drugs), and distributing to a minor (for all three). Should any of these occur on school
grounds, then the teacher is also in violation of standard three, which states being on school
premises or at a school-related activity while possessing, illegal or unauthorized drugs
(The Code of Ethics for Educators).
It is our responsibility to ensure that students are safe in the classroom, that they feel safe,
and that they also have role models that they can look up to for guidance. By being moral and
ethical teachers, we are those role models. Our jobs as teachers are to prepare the students for
their best future, not hinder it with unethical acts and behaviors.
In and Out of the School
A teacher should always be honest. Standard four states, An educator shall exemplify
honesty and integrity in the course of professional practice (The Code of Ethics for Educators).
I can honestly say that I have lost respect for a teacher when they were not honest with me. I
understand that I was a child, but if I ask you a serious question, I am looking for a serious

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answer. Because I discovered that this teacher was not honest with me, I never listened to
another thing that they said. If we are not honest in what we say or do, then we are not
trustworthy or believable. That teacher lost all credibility with my parents and me, so what
makes me think that I would not lose credibility with my own students and their parents.
Honesty makes a person reliable. Once that sense of reliability is gone, how could anyone ever
come to you?
It is especially important to be honest when it comes to public funds and property.
Standard five states that An educator entrusted with public funds and property shall honor that
trust with a high level of honesty, accuracy, and responsibility (The Code of Ethics for
Educators). I feel that schools already struggle with budget cuts. The fact that someone would
misuse school funds is extremely upsetting (Code of Ethics for Educators, Standard Two). Not
only are we supposed to be role models for our students, but we should want the best for our
students, and being dishonest with school funds is not what is best.
By not being honest when handling funds, whether it be failing to account for them,
submitting fraudulent requests, or downright mingling of school funds with personal funds, you
will receive a terrible reputation that will haunt you. Especially in a small town like Forsyth.
We had a principal once who stole a very large sum of money from the school through
fraudulent expense reports. This is both unethical and a crime of moral turpitude: Fraud or false
pretenses in obtaining something of value (Moral Turpitude). Not only did the community
question this principal, but also the Board of Education. How could this have slipped by the
Board? Because of this, the county had to scramble to correct the situation. Caryn Grant of the
Telegraph reports that Upon receiving the audit report, [Anthony] Pack and the school board
notified the Professional Standards Commission of a possible ethics violation and later referred

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the matter to the sheriffs office once they realized the potential criminal implications. Along
with notifying authorities, district officials have made in-house changes in hopes of preventing
future issues (2011). The Board had to assure the members of the community that something
like this would never happen again.
A teacher must also remain honest when it comes to standardized testing. First off,
standard seven requires that teachers follow state and federal laws and state school board
policies relating to the confidentiality of student and personnel records, standardized test material
and other information (The Code of Ethics for Educators). Second off, I can honestly say that
standardized testing makes me nervous, because of the weight it carries. Because of this, I
cannot understand why anyone would risk messing with the test. Standard eleven even addresses
that An educator shall administer state-mandated assessments fairly and ethically (The Code of
Ethics for Educators).
Conducting any activities that will breach the security of the test or compromise the
integrity of it are completely unethical and should not be done (The Code of Ethics for
Educators, Standard Eleven). If you are afraid that your children were unprepared, then prepare
them better. By being dishonest and involving yourself in such unethical activities, you will only
bring more consequences. Take Atlanta, for example. This happened years ago, now, but it still
remains a huge topic. Nobody can ever fully trust their school system again and it will remain at
the forefront of school scandals until the next big story hits.
As a Professional
A school is its own community. The relationship between students, parents, and
colleagues is of the upmost importance when it comes to maintaining a balance in the school.
Standard six states, An educator shall maintain integrity with students, colleagues, parents,

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patrons, or business when accepting gift, gratuities, favors, and additional compensation (The
Code of Ethics for Educators). This requires a teacher to have that honest relationship with each
of the parties listed above. It is difficult to receive sponsorship or vendor help when you have
taken advantage of their generosity in the past. Teachers should not use their colleagues or
parents or students or anyone for their own personal gain. Our first duty is to the children, not to
ourselves.
Teachers will often be required to attend meetings and workshops. These, most of the
time, are there to help the teachers or inform them of something new. If a teacher does not
attend these meetings, then she is in violation of standard eight: abandonment of contract. This
states that a teacher is willfully refusing to perform the services required by a contract (The
Code of Ethics for Educators, Standard Eight). This means that they are not fulfilling the
requirements and obligations of their contract.
Attending the meeting is not enough though. Behavior is a serious issue when it comes
to these meetings. I have had the pleasure of sitting in on a faculty meeting during a teacher
work day. I also had the displeasure of observing a room full of grown-ups acting like children.
This woman was extremely nice and very well prepared. She even had her own list of
expectations, which Classroom Management taught me was exactly what she needed to do. Did
that stop them from giggling or texting or talking the entire time? No. This was very rude and
they were not behaving professionally, which is a direct violation of standard ten.
Conclusion
During my time at Wesleyan, I have learned that we must always behave at our most
professional. The Code of Ethics is a clear guideline on what it takes to be just this and what not
to do. We are the role models of the future. We need to be sure to make our classrooms a safe

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learning environment that our students feel welcomed in. We have to be honest in all things we
do, whether it is dealing with favors, funds, or testing. The Code of Ethics holds us accountable.

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References
The Code of Ethics for Educators. (2014). Retrieved from:
http://www.gapsc.com/Rules/Current/Ethics/505-6-.01.pdf
Grant, C. (2011, November 23). Former Monroe county principal charged with theft. The
Telegraph. Retrieved from:
http://www.macon.com/2011/11/23/1797052/former-monroe-countyprincipal.html#storylink=cpy
Davis. (2000). Moral turpitude. Handbook of Criminal Evidence.
Retrieved from:
http://www.gapsc.com/Ethics/Downloads/moral_turpitude.pdf