Dispositional Essay: Code of Ethics

Dispositional Essay: Code of Ethics

Mellissa Webb

Wesleyan College
Dispositional Essay: Code of Ethics

As an educator, being ethical and moral are the backbone of teaching. Without ethics and

morality, an educator would not be doing his or her job correctly. An educator should always put

the needs of his or her students at the forefront of everyday teaching and maintain a professional

setting.

The Georgia State Code of Ethics states An educator shall always maintain a

professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom. (The Code of

Ethics, p. 2) This means that in order to be ethical and maintain an appropriate learning

environment for your students, you must always keep the relationship between you and your

students professional. I have seen many great examples of this through my field experience in the

classroom. The teachers I have been able to observe and be in the same classroom with have all

kept a level of professionalism with their students that I use as an example as I am in their

classroom interacting with the students.

As stated in the Georgia State Code of Ethics, An educator shall exemplify honesty and

integrity in the course of professional practice. (The Code of Ethics, p. 3) If you are not honest

with your students then you are providing them with false information. Giving students false

information is hurting them as learners, not helping them or guiding them in the right direction as

learners. I find that just being honest with your students gains their trust and they are more likely

to want to learn from you. If I were to lie to my students and they figure out I did lie, they would

lose trust in what I say and would not be motivated to learn from me.

The Wesleyan College Educational Departments Conceptual Framework states that a

Wesleyan graduate will appreciate the impact of a classroom management plan in fostering a

positive climate that supports teaching and learning. I believe this is one of the most important

requirements of a classroom. Students need a positive, safe environment where they can learn
Dispositional Essay: Code of Ethics

and have support when learning new content. If a student does not feel comfortable or safe, they

will not be able to focus or concentrate on any new topics that are expected of them. In order for

students to learn at their full capacity, they need positive support in their learning environment.

The Wesleyan College Conceptual Framework also states that the Wesleyan graduate

will appreciate the impact of learner development (physical, social, emotional, and cognitive) on

instructional decisions. This is very important to keep in mind while in the classroom. Teachers

should make changes to their curriculum based on the development of their learners in their

classroom while keeping a moral and ethical mentality.

Students always need an environment that feels safe and inviting to learn. As a teacher,

you are there to provide that environment for each student in your classroom. While creating a

safe and honest environment, educators must also keep a level of professionalism with ethics and

morals being at the root of it. Especially with young students, you are a role model for them of

which they can get their idea of what a moral and ethical person is supposed to be. Without you

as an educator showing them honest and ethical behavior, they most likely will not be exposed to

a professional environment where that is present. As an educator, awareness of what our actions

say is also a large part of how we teach our students as well.

As an educator, you must always administer tests ethically and fairly. This is included in

the Georgia State Code of Ethics. If a teacher were to unfairly administer tests, or give answers,

or even change answers to skew the results of a test in any way, they would be breaking the code

of ethics. They would also be hurting their students and creating an unsafe and negative learning

environment for their students. By hindering their students learning, they are not maintaining a

level of professionalism needed to correctly do their job. By unfairly administering tests, an

educator would be cheating their students of their right to learn and be taught correctly.
Dispositional Essay: Code of Ethics

The Georgia State Code of Ethics also covers what it means to maintain professional

conduct. Keeping professional conduct in the classroom means being fully capable of doing your

job with no restrictions. Any behavior that is detrimental to their students well-being is

unprofessional and cannot be tolerated. This also relates to keeping a safe environment that

promotes learning for students. If an educator does not uphold a level of safety and positivity in

the classroom, they are not maintaining their students well-being.

As an educator, you are teaching your students not just subjects and content but also

correct behavior and expected social behavior. To do so, you must be ethical and have morals

that you can teach your students to have as well. Without a set morals and ethical behavior, you

would be unable to guide your students to having those needed beliefs as well. For example, if

you were not honest and your students noticed you were not being honest with them, they would

realize, they would not have to be honest either, since even their teacher lies. As an educator, you

are responsible for guiding your students and showing by example what is right and wrong.

I believe being an educator is one of the most important jobs of our society. Because it is

so important, it also means that as an educator, you must be ethical and have a correct set of

morals in order to properly educate the future citizens of our world. Without our ethical and

moral guidance and influence, I do not think our future citizens would be properly prepared for

life in any society. With our guidance, we are showing by example how to carry themselves in a

positive, responsible, and considerate way.

I have been witness to some questionable behavior by past teachers. All it has proven to

me is that being ethical and moral especially when dealing with students is one of the most

important aspects of the job of being a teacher. I want to create a safe, morally correct, and

ethical classroom where my students will be able to learn with the best opportunities. By holding
Dispositional Essay: Code of Ethics

myself to a higher set of standards than I have witnessed means I will be leading my students by

example for what they need to do.

As a future educator, it is vital that my ethical and moral code are correct and true to help

shape my students into what they should be. Therefore, my ethical and moral code must follow

what I hope to construe to my students. I believe being honest, being fair, and creating a healthy

positive environment is the backbone to ensuring that happens.

Maintaining a level of professionalism in and out of the classroom is very important as

well. I believe anything that is posted online for anyone to see should also convey the message

you want to send to everyone. No matter the situation, you are always an educator, whether you

are at your school or not, that title stays with you. I believe you should always have a

professional portrayal of yourself whenever and wherever possible.

Dispositional Essay: Code of Ethics

References

Effective June 15, 2015 505-6-.01 THE CODE OF ETHICS. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14,

2016, from http://www.gapsc.com/Rules/Current/Ethics/505-6-.01.pdf

Moral Turpitude - GaPSC. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2016, from

http://www.gapsc.com/Ethics/Downloads/moral_turpitude.pdf

Wesleyan College Educational Department's Conceptual Framework. (2016).