7/29/2019 Ethics in the Practice of School Teaching

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Ethicsinthepracticeofschoolteaching

Theethicalcultureiscrucialforschools.Principalsand

teachershavealeadershiprolinthatgoal.GermnGmezVeas

Consultantineducationandcollegeprofessor,authorofthetextsWhatisethics?,

and,Educationforcitizenship.

ABSTRACT

How tobuildanethical culture in schools? The answer starts with the behaviorof

teachers.

7/29/2019 Ethics in the Practice of School Teaching

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Ethics in the practice of school teaching

The news about a professors romance with a 16 year old student, has led many to

wonder about the rules governing the conduct of teachers in the exercise of their

profession.

This kind of case also has occurred in other schools in the country, and, there have

been others numerous cases of the same nature, in which the proximity of some

teachers with their students, has ended badly, situations which school leaders

have failed confront and resolve in a satisfactory manner for the educational

community. The truth is that many schools are not prepared to deal proactively

and effectively with various ethical dilemmas that arise from time to time because

of the human dynamics. Indeed, the definition of the limits or reach about ethical

behavior is not simple, but it is essential that each school leadership takes the

challenge about this matter for the good of the school community.

For example, is it reasonable to prohibit to teachers use careless language with

their students in the time outside of class?, Should we forbid or allow a teacher

attend parties with his students?, is it excessive, or appropriate, ask teachers not

to include in their blogs or facebooks to their students?, the teacher who copies

works without reference to the source, what sanction must to receive?, etc.

The information and evidence that has been seen in recent years, indicate that the

answer to the above issues, there can stay only in common sense of teachers, as all

these issues and others of the same class, are very important to promote respect

and credibility that teachers and educators must exhibit. All this, is essential for

strengthening the institutional moral identity.

In the context described above, two actions can be proposed for help to resolve

prudently and transparently some of the most common ethical dilemmas in school

life. On one hand, the desirability of schools develop codes of conduct to guide and

regulate the behavior of teachers and educators. This requires for its effectiveness,

a training plan that promotes a culture consistent with the purposes established.

The other suggestion, is to create a commission that assumes the ethical

management in the educational community. This institutionalization will prevent

arbitrariness and also will facilitate progress in the construction of shared ethical

environment, with a broad consensus.

Germn Gmez Veas