Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators: Ethics for Educators

“Parents are, of course, most important in shaping their children's lives, but teachers are

critically important as well. Who among us doesn't look back on a few great teachers who

inspired us, opened up new worlds, and helped make us who we are?” Whitney Tilson.

As educators, we serve as a role model for our students. Before a single concept or

standard can be taught or understood, level of trust must be forged first. The students need to

know that the teacher will be a someone that is there for them. Then a level of respect is formed,

in which the students believe the teacher to be trustworthy. Then, and only then, will the student

open up to receive the information that is being handed on to them. In order to build the trust and

respect from students, a teacher must follow the rules of ethics. When an individual agrees to

become a teacher, they must sign that they agree with the Licensure Code of Professional

Conduct for Ohio Educators. This is a document that lays out eight important standards that must

be met in order for a teacher to not only gain the trust of his or her students, but to be considered

an individual filled with honesty and integrity.

An important principle of the Code of Conduct is the second principle: “Educators shall

maintain a professional relationship with all students at all times, both in and out of the

classroom.” This is an important aspect because teachers have been given a huge responsibility:

the very lives of their students. Each student’s future depends on the 180 days that they spend in

that classroom. The classroom is where a child learns not only academics, but social skills and

the ways of the world. Professionalism is how and what the students will respect the teacher

enough to trust in what they have to say. The teacher must show professionalism for the safety

and self-esteem of the students. As the teacher fulfills the role of “mentor, confidante, and

advocate” for the student, they cannot at the same time violate any professional boundaries,
including sexual abuse or verbal abuse. Just as professional boundaries cannot be crossed, local,

state, and federal laws cannot be crossed.

The fourth principle of the Code of Conduct also an important concept as it feeds off of

the second principle. It states, “Educators shall adhere to federal, state and local laws and

statutes.” It may seem so simple, however, in order to be a good role model for students, a

teacher must follow the laws set by our founding fathers to our current representatives. These

laws are for the safety of oneself and others. Following the law is also an aspect of the learning

for the students. The students can know that they themselves need to respect authority, because

their teachers respect the authority of the law. In order to give rules, one must show that they

respect rules, and can therefore make rules for the students to follow. There cannot be a double

standard. It does not work for the teachers to expect something from the students that they

themselves cannot follow. Part of the laws is the right to vote, in which the public can express

what they want for their community. Therefore, teachers must respect public opinion and where

they want their tax money to go.

The seventh principle of the Code of Conduct is “Educators shall ensure that school

property, public funds or fees paid by students or the community are not used for personal gain.

Educators shall not make decisions based upon gifts, gratuities, favors or the socioeconomic

status of parents, family members, community members or businesses.” In light of many current

events, this principle is an extremely important one. Each child deserves to be judged and

evaluated on the same standards despite the arrangement of other family members. Students need

to be put on the same scale in order to accurately determine where they lay. On a different note,

there are many items that a teacher must buy outside of class time in order to better teach the

students. However, the public must know and understand where all of their money is going. It
must be accurately reported for reimbursement. All are important aspects of honesty and

integrity expected from teachers in order to ensure the best possible experience for all students.