Running head: ETHICS PERFORMANCE TASK 1

Ethics Performance Task

Isabel Howard

University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee

ETHICS PERFORMANCE TASK 2

The purpose of the Code of Ethics and Principles of Professional Conduct of the

Education Profession of Florida is to ensure that each student is treated in the most equal and

equitable way possible in the classroom in order to make sure that the classroom environment is

not just about the learning process, but also about a positive, collaborative, and trusting

community. In regards to my role as an intern, I must make sure that I follow the Code of Ethics

every single time I am in the classroom for practice when I become a teacher and eventually

have my own group of students to teach.

I follow the first Code of Ethics, “The educator values the worth and dignity of every

person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of

democratic citizenship. Essential to the achievement of these standards are the freedom to learn

and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all” by implementing class discussions in

which I allow students to appropriately respond to each other, get to know each other, and let

students know that I care about them and want them to be the best versions of themselves that I

know they can be. These class discussions typically occur as a community builder before I begin

the lesson. I then follow the second Code of Ethics, “The educator’s primary professional

concern will always be for the student and for the development of the student’s potential. The

educator will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best

professional judgment and integrity” by asking for frequent feedback from my professor and

colleagues on how to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity by not letting any

kind of personal feelings get involved. Albeit challenging for someone who is so new to

teaching, I believe I am getting better at this by growing from the consistent feedback I have

been getting from my whole experience as a USF student, especially from this semester. The

third code, “Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of one’s
ETHICS PERFORMANCE TASK 3

colleagues, of students, of parents, and of other members of the community, the educator strives

to achieve and sustain the highest degree of ethical conduct” is followed when, though I do

mention certain details of my CT and students’ home lives, their identities are completely

protected by using pseudonyms instead of their real names and by blocking out their faces

whenever I share a picture of the class in an assignment.

I also follow The Principles of Professional Conduct of The Education Profession in

Florida, specifically, “Obligation to the student requires that the individual: Shall make

reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the

student’s mental and/or physical health and/or safety” by always providing a safe environment

for the class, making sure that if students engage in a physical altercation, they are escorted out

of the classroom by the behavior specialist. I then follow the, “Shall take reasonable precautions

to distinguish between personal views and those of any educational institution or organization

with which the individual is affiliated” principle by always reflecting on my own bias and

personal views and making sure they do not influence my decisions while interning, even when it

is extremely difficult by facing severe behavioral issues. If a student is disrespectful towards me,

I must not stoop down to their level and be disrespectful back. I have to be an adult with

authority. Lastly, I follow the “Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings” by always

being honest about intentions and progress with my CT and my fellow internship colleagues.