Code of ethics

What do you see as the purpose of the Code of Ethics and Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession of Florida?

I believe that the purpose of the Code of Ethics and Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession of Florida is to establish a common ground of ethical expectations that apply to each individual teacher.I believe that these codes and principles are made to protect the rights of each student and teacher and to make the classroom a valuable and safe learning place for anyone that steps inside.

2. What is a specific example from this semester when you demonstrated being an ethical educator?

I believe that throughout this level 3 internship I have demonstrated many acts of an ethical educator but one that particularly sticks out to me would be based upon Principle 3g Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.

Being in a classroom that contains so many diverse children including but not limited to different races, intellectual abilities, IEPS, ADHD, ESE and different home lives, it can be challenging to make sure that every student is receiving the same treatment and opportunities. I have observed first hand, discrimination in the classroom and have felt how uncomfortable it makes myself and my students feel so it was something that I wanted to stand against doing. A specific example would be based on a child with autism, Asperger’s, and ADHD that is in my current classroom. While this child has many different diagnoses and a rough home life, she still deserves the same treatment as every other student no matter how challenging that can be. While I cannot say the same for other adults, I made an honest effort to make sure that this child was still given the same education and support that was needed no matter how challenging she was. I also did not participate in the taunting of this child that I observed.

3. How is this specific example connected to the Code of Ethics?

I believe that this is connected to the Code of ethics because it directly correlates to 3g. I think that this specific example shows my efforts to deliver equal opportunity and treatment to all students, despite the challenges and struggles that arisen.