RUNNING HEAD: DISPOTIONAL ESSAY FOR EDUCATORS

Dispositional Essay for Educators

Jennifer Blease
Wesleyan College

DISPOSITIONAL ESSAY FOR EDUCATORS

INTRODUCTION
What defines a positive moral disposition? This is a key element in any aspect of society,
but it is one that is construed in many different forms. Educators are expected to maintain a
particular demeanor within the school system. To ensure that this is properly clarified, certain
standards have been set in place to provide the required guidelines for teachers. The Code of
Ethics, as well as the Conceptual Framework at Wesleyan College, defines what disposition is
ideal for any aspiring educator. Through this and ones own moral beliefs, a teacher can find
what is truly valuable to him or her. This provides the foundation that any professional needs in
order to have a goal set in place on how he or she will respond within the workplace. Throughout
my experiences, I have found ways to define my own ideologies that are the guidelines that I
should follow. While dissecting the Code of Ethics and Wesleyan College Conceptual
Framework, I can provide insight on how this pertains to my goals as a teacher and professional.
CONSIDERATIONS: THE CODE OF ETHICS
The Code of Ethics entails the eleven standards that all educators must respect and adhere
to. This provides the outline of the professional disposition teachers must maintain while they are
educating their students. These standards specifically include guidelines that must be followed in
order to maintain the credibility required to be a distinguished employee within the school
system.
So that the importance of professionalism within the workplace is enforced, standard 1
describes how teachers must follow all state and federal laws. I found this standard to be quite
self-explanatory. It is important for any citizen to adhere to the laws established by our
government (GaPSC). As educators, we are to set the example for all students and fellow adults.
We are the leaders of the future generations. How can we expect our students to follow the rules

DISPOSITIONAL ESSAY FOR EDUCATORS

of the classroom if we, ourselves, do not abide by the rules set in place for society as a whole?
The educators should mentor their students when showing them the importance of following
rules and guidelines both in and out of the classroom. This helps establish a professional studentteacher relationship that enables the students to see their educators as mentors.
However, teachers must be careful with the relationships they form with their students.
Standard 2 discusses the conduct teachers need to have with students. This relationship must be
strictly professional at all times. I understand that many teachers strive to be a friend to their
students, but that is not what is most important. It is possible to be the students friend, but there
must still be a barrier where the teacher is the professional figure that establishes the formal
relationship between student and educator. That barrier must not be broken. If a teacher develops
an informal relationship with a student, many risks arise (GaPSC).
Although personal relationships are a major concern, there are other legal matters
outlined within the Code of Ethics. Standard 3 outlines the guidelines to adhere to concerning the
use of drugs and alcohol. Educators should not be involved in the use of illegal drugs at any time.
No drugs or alcohol should be consumed on the schools campus or in the presence of a child. I
find this standard to be quite important. Educators should set an example for their students. They
should not be under the influence of any substances that can affect their behavior or mannerisms
within the classroom. While it is acceptable and legal to consume alcohol responsibly, this
should not be something that is done in the presence of a student, and it should not be in an area
where a student may come into contact with those products (GaPSC).
While it is important to not use illegal substances, it is also imperative that students are
truthful as well. Standard 4 exemplifies the importance of honesty in educators in a professional
setting. This includes providing both accurate information of students or educators for any

DISPOSITIONAL ESSAY FOR EDUCATORS

situation and truthfully describing why a teacher is absent. Honesty is a quality that all teachers
should have over any manner.
Because the importance of truthfulness is a key element of the Code of Ethics,
Standard 5 elaborates that an educator is responsible for being trustworthy in keeping track and
caring for public property and funds. Again, an educator should be an example for his or her
students. The teacher should be responsible in taking care of any item that they have been asked
to watch over. If a teacher is unable to care for public property or provide accountability over
funds, how can he or she be expected to keep students safe? Educators, as well as any other
professional, must be held accountable for any actions that involve legal or personal matters
(GaPSC).
Because dependability is a crucial element for any aspiring teacher, Standard 6 provides
the importance of the integrity of an educator when accepting any form of compensation or gift
from any individual. As mentioned in standards 4 and 5, it is significant for any teacher to be
honest and trustworthy in any situation. If an educator were to violate this standard, they would
be putting his or her own accountability on the line. This risk is one that should not be taken. If
this reliability is at stake, then these individuals could easily lose their credibility (GaPSC).
Since the dependability of an individual is highly regarded in all professional settings,
standard 7 stresses on the importance of maintaining confidentiality on any records or
information provided to the teacher. It is vital for student information to not be released to other
individuals. This information should only be utilized for the teachers use in order to better
understand his or her students and to find ways to make the necessary accommodations for these
students (GaPSC).

DISPOSITIONAL ESSAY FOR EDUCATORS

In order for the educator to meet all the needs of the students, the he or she must be
willing to abide by the guidelines they have been provided from the beginning of their teaching
career. Standard 8 states that a teacher must abide by all duties and terms that are listed in their
contract throughout the entirety of the contracts length. I believe it is crucial for any individual
to meet all the expectations that have been presented to them. Teachers must also pertain to these
guidelines. The contract is established at the beginning of this educators teaching career to be
utilized as the needs the teacher must meet in order to carry out his or her duties. If this is not
properly carried out, then the foundation of this individuals considerations for employment have
been violated (GaPSC).
As a part of the terms and conditions for educators contracts, it is important for these
individuals to file paperwork in a timely manner. Standard 9 requires all educators to file any
reports related to child abuse, not following the Code of Ethics, or any other required reports.
As a teacher, one should be determined to ensure any records are properly filed. It is their job to
make the school environment as safe, accessible, and welcoming to all involved. If an educator
were to violate this standard, there would be a great risk in preventing this community to
maintain this foundation (GaPSC).
In order to stress on the need for a practiced disposition as an educator, standard 10
expands upon the importance of the professionalism in the workplace. While maintaining a
career, it is important to maintain a professional demeanor in any setting. A school system is
established no differently from any other professional setting. Teachers must be professional at
all times to all involved within the school system. This is not limited to adult figures within the
school system. As mentioned in standard 2, it is important for this behavior to be evident among
students as well (GaPSC).

DISPOSITIONAL ESSAY FOR EDUCATORS

The evidence of professionalism is also important with formal assessments. Standard 11

indicates the necessity for teachers to proctor required assessments in a way that is fair and
ethical. Teachers should ensure that students are provided with the opportunity to show their best
work. This requires the teacher to utilize this in making sure the students are provided with an
equal opportunity to work and provide insight on what these students truly know. It does not help
the students in any way to alter answers or create an environment where the assessment results
are not an accurate depiction of student success. Educators should be aware that facilitating an
assessment unethically exemplifies a poor demeanor and little confidence in the abilities of the
students. This is not acceptable or honorable for any teacher to behave in this manner (GaPSC).
While all of these standards focus on specific elements of professionalism, they all
emphasize on matters that provide the ideal role of the educator. They should follow all Code of
Ethics in order to exemplify the role model position these teachers should withhold. All of these
guidelines promote the positive and proficient disposition that all mentors of the classroom
should maintain throughout their careers.
CONSIDERATIONS: WESLEYAN COLLEGE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
In order to meet the guidelines pertaining to Wesleyan Colleges Conceptual Framework,
students must: be knowledgeable in all subjects, possess and promote critical thinking skills,
have optimism in the productive learning environment, respect diversity, maintain flexibility,
support differentiation, build relationships among students, and reflect on what must be changed
to encourage student success. Although this is required for Wesleyan students, this is a necessity
for any aspiring educator (Wesleyan College 2014).
The purpose of a mentor is to provide their students with the inspiration to go beyond
their goals and become enriched within the curriculum. This requires the educator to know his or

DISPOSITIONAL ESSAY FOR EDUCATORS

her students. They must be able to find ways to engage these students and build close
relationships with them. This task requires much flexibility, for students can learn in so many
different ways.
As a teacher, I would strive to find any way to meet the needs of my students. They
should be encouraged and motivated to perform to their highest potential. I wish to reach out to
all of my students to find ways to help them learn in the way that works best for them. As their
mentor, I will guide this students and form close bonds with them to understand them. I shall be
flexible and patient with all children in my class to find the most efficient and helpful ways to
teach each of them.
PERSONAL BELIEFS AND EXPERIENCES
From my personal experiences, I have realized that many individuals do not completely
respect some of the elements within the conceptual framework and Code of Ethics. Sadly, many
teachers do not appear to case about maintaining confidentiality about student records. They
have a negative demeanor towards their students, fellow teachers, and administration. The
disposition of these teachers is one that I would never wish to maintain.
From observing other teachers, I have seen how they support the positive disposition that
I would strive to have as an educator. These teachers are passionate about their work. They
maintain a professional demeanor while creating an environment that is open and welcoming to
their students. When issues arise concerning a students records, these teachers are very brief and
keep personal records confidential. They implement differentiation in the classroom while still
keeping all assessments and activities ethical and fair.
When examining crimes that are considered to involve moral turpitude, such as murder,
fraud, and theft, I find it quite simple to determine these felonies are not ones that should be

DISPOSITIONAL ESSAY FOR EDUCATORS

committed by educators (Davis 2000). These offenses are not excusable to those who are meant
to be the examples for students. All teachers are meant to be leaders for the students to learn to
follow. If these leaders are involved in these wrongdoings, then this places a negative impact on
the students.
As an individual with high moral values, I believe that it is imperative to maintain a
positive disposition. Because I was raised to follow Christian faith, I find honesty, generosity and
compassion to be the most valuable traits anyone can possess. While it is important to keep faith
close to the heart, it is also important to be courteous and care for the other people who inhabit
this world. As an educator, I hope to show these qualities to my students, my coworkers, and my
community as a whole. I plan to provide this disposition that can provoke building trustworthy
and caring relationships. I want nothing more than the success for my students and fellow
educators. With this, I will strive to maintain a positive disposition that sets an example for my
students, as well as engage and motivate them to work hard both in and out of the classroom.
CONCLUSION
Moral disposition can be interpreted differently through any ideal one has learned to
believe. Through guidelines and expectations set by institutions, one can determine what
behavior is appropriate for the professional workplace. Through ones experiences, he or she can
also further mold into what they believe to be right and wrong. The laws of society also shape
this mold. In order to maintain a professional career, one must follow the proper protocol set in
place by both the laws of society and the workplace. If these are not followed, there runs a risk
for not holding on to a career. To hold true to ones ideals while respecting the established within
the workplace will allow one to truly become a successful individual.

DISPOSITIONAL ESSAY FOR EDUCATORS

Bibliography
Davis. (2000). Moral Turpitude (PDF Document). Retrieved from
http://www.gapsc.com/Ethics/Downloads/moral_turpitude.pdf
Wesleyan College: Education (2014). The Conceptual Framework. Retrieved from
http://www.wesleyancollege.edu/registrar/catalog/Education.cfm
GaPSC. The Code of Ethics for Georgia Educators. (PowerPoint slides). Retrieved from
http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-andAssessment/CTAE/Documents/GAPSC-Session-Code-of-Ethics.pdf