Part 1: Educator Code of Ethics As you have learned in this course, teachers serve as role models and your conduct, both on and off the job, can significantly impact your professional image. In this project, you are to read each scenario and answer the questions that follow. Your Task: For each scenario (2), you are to write a paragraph of at least 1/2 page in length that will: Identify the ethical behavior/dilemma, Cite the standard of professional behavior from the Code of Ethics the action violates using the number and letter and exact language of the standard. Provide justification for your selection of the standard, and Describe an alternate behavior that is detailed and appropriate to take in that situation. You are expected to use professional language, spelling, and grammar. Scenario 1 The Life Skills classroom at Hasting High provides Community Based Instruction to its small group of students with severe disabilities. The district provides some funds for transportation and community outings, but it isn't usually enough to keep the students busy throughout the school year. To help with the funds, the principal allows the students, with the support of the teachers, to sell breakfast items to the school three days a week. This fundraiser becomes very popular with the rest of the student body because the breakfast items are inexpensive, delivered straight to their 1st period classes, and they get to feel good about helping the Life Skills classroom in a positive way. Ever since the Life Skills fundraising began, the Student Council sponsor, Mrs. Sumner, has noticed that support for their daily candy fundraiser has declined, and she believes it is due to the popularity of the breakfast items being sold. One day she notices a Life Skills student and one of the teachers, Mr. Moore, out making deliveries and collecting money. The student is clearly struggling with handling the money, so Mr. Moore helps her by taking some of the money and putting it into his own pocket. Mrs. Sumner sees only this small interaction and has no other context for the exchange. Later that day, when speaking to a group of other teachers she mentions seeing Mr. Moore putting some of the breakfast fundraiser money into his pocket. Over the next several days, this comment makes its way through the faculty, and when she is questioned by other faculty members, Mrs. Sumner's response is that she did see Mr. Moore pocket the money, but she doesn't know what he did with it after that. In the same conversations, she also casually mentions the expensive new car Mr. Moore recently started driving. 1. Identify the behaviors (if any) that you believe violate standards in the Educator Code of Ethics. 2. Which standards do you think were violated? Explain your reasoning. If you feel that no standards were violated, explain your reasoning. 3. Should Mr. Moore and/or Mrs. Sumner have handled this situation differently so as not to violate the Code of Ethics, or (if you feel that there was no violation) to avoid their actions being called into question? Scenario 2 Mrs. Nelson is a 5th grade teacher at Xander Elementary School. Mrs. Nelson is very tech-savvy and uses many forms of social media to communicate with her parents and students. At the beginning of the year she asks parents to follow her on a communication app, Remind, so that they can receive important text reminders about upcoming events. Remind is typically used for group communication. For example, Mrs. Nelson might send out a reminder to the class that they have a field trip and will need to remember to bring their lunch. After receiving a group text, parents then have the option to respond individually to Mrs. Nelson and they can then carry on a conversation in a private environment if they need to discuss more student-specific information. Many of her students have their own cell phones and have also begun following Mrs. Nelson on the Remind app. While Mrs. Nelson does not encourage this, she doesn't remove them when they do. It has never been an issue in the past, and she assumes it might help them to know about upcoming and important events too. Mrs. Nelson is a very loved and respected teacher, and she is known for providing a very safe and nurturing environment in her classroom. Whenever a student is struggling with an issue, he or she knows that Mrs. Nelson will listen and support them. Because of the precarious nature of 5th grade, students often come to Mrs. Nelson with all kinds of problems. After sending out a Remind text about the upcoming early dismissal day, a student, Maddie, responded with a private message to Mrs. Nelson telling her that she needed to talk to her about a problem. Mrs. Nelson tells her to come to her first thing in the morning, so they can talk before class begins. The next morning, Maddie shows up early to class as instructed and tells Mrs. Nelson that she thinks something is wrong with her because she doesn't like boys the way her friends do, but she really doesn't want to be gay. She is afraid of what her parents and friends would say if she never likes boys the way she thinks she is supposed to. Though she was a little taken aback by this confession, Mrs. Nelson assures her that she will be ok, and that it is ok that she doesn't have the answers to those questions right now. Thinking about it later that evening, Mrs. Nelson was concerned that she hadn't been supportive enough in talking with Maddie, so she sends her a private Remind text saying, "I want you to know that you are a very smart and beautiful young lady, and that won't change if you like boys or girls. I won't say anything to anyone about our conversation." Questions: Questions: 1. Identify the behaviors (if any) that you believe violate standards in the Educator Code of Ethics. 2. Which standards do you think were violated? Explain your reasoning. If you feel that no standards were violated, explain your reasoning. 3. Should Mrs. Nelson have handled this situation differently so as not to violate the Code of Ethics, or (if you feel that there was no violation) to avoid her actions being called into question? Part 2: Effective Communication with Parents The Situation Brandon, a student in Ms. Jennings 7th grade science class, had his phone out during a major exam. Ms. Jennings established testing procedures at the beginning of the year. Phones are to be put away during tests and quizzes. All students are to place their phones in their backpacks. Students know that if they do not follow this rule - Ms. Jennings will take up their phone for the duration of the class. If a student violates this rule twice, Ms. Jennings takes up the phone, notifies the parent, and assigns a detention. When Ms. Jennings calls Brandon's mother, she explains the situation and that, when she questioned him, he indicated to her that he knew he wasn't supposed to have his phone out but kept it anyway so he could check the time. The mother became upset that Brandon had received a detention for this and sent the following email after the conversation. I am highly disappointed in how this issue was handled with my son. I really believe the teachers at this school are out to get him. It is evident by how you seemed happy to tell me that Brandon was going to have a detention. It is obvious he does not understand the seriousness of this. However, you all are so quick to punish him. Did anyone triple check if he understood the penalties of having a phone? He did not engage in taking pictures or use it for cheating. However, he was treated like he did. I disagree with after school detention. Mrs. Jackson Your Task Respond to Mrs. Jackson in a paragraph or two. Your response should reflect effective communication skills such as setting aside judgement and remaining calm. You should address her concerns and assert yourself through the values of the district. You are expected to use professional language, spelling, and grammar. Part 3: Relations with Colleagues The Situation In order to illustrate the importance of early trade in her world history class, Ms. Jeffries asks students to bring snacks the next day of class to use in a simulation activity. Several students forget and Ms. Jeffries sends them to the vending machine in the cafeteria at the very beginning of class to purchase some. A short time later, Mrs. Daniels, an assistant principal, escorts them back to Ms. Jeffries room. While still about 100 feet from the classroom Mrs. Daniels yells "Did you send these kids to the cafeteria?" Ms. Jeffries acknowledges that she did and starts to explain when Mrs. Daniels remarks, "Don't you know that you aren't supposed to send students out of the classroom for snacks? Don't ever do that again!" Ms. Jeffries' students try to explain but Mrs. Daniels cuts them off. Once the students are inside the classroom, Ms. Jeffries starts to give instructions for the activity, but she is fuming. She was just reprimanded in front of her students. Your Task In a paragraph or two explain how Ms. Jeffries should handle the situation. Be sure to consider the following: 1. Did Ms. Jeffries do anything inappropriate? If so, what should she have done instead? 2. Did Mrs. Daniels do anything inappropriate? If so, what should she have done instead? 3. According to guidelines of effective communication, what should Ms. Jeffries do next? Be specific in how she should approach the situation and Mrs. Daniels. SCORING CRITERIA Code of Ethics portion: Identification of behavior Standard(s) cited and justification Identification of alternative, ethical behavior . Professional Writing Communication with Parents Relations with Colleagues Identification of inappropriate behavior and alternatives Explanation of Next Steps . Professional Writing Effective Communication Concerns Addressed Professional Writing