week+6

__**Week 6**__

Author: Chris Seevers Date: 4th May 2009

Within this week’s lecture and readings, the topics covered within this week focused on the Teacher’s Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct. When examining the Code of Ethics (which is based on Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility), I appreciate this established code as teachers being individuals, each have their own set of values that they would use as a template to assist them resolving ethical issues in schools. As discussed during this week’s tutorial, as we all have our own “templates”, it is difficult for different teachers to resolve these ethical issues in a standard way, producing the same result/outcome. Having the code available can assist teachers to tackle/resolve these issues in a standardised manner.
 * __Lecture Summary__**

Referring to the Code of Conduct, similar to the Code of Ethics discussed above, this code also assists teachers in providing an understanding of what is expected of them in relation to Professional and Personal conduct, along with Professional Competency. Having predefined “rules of thumb” available assists teachers in guiding them about what is and is not expected of them in regards to relationships with their students, their student’s families and communities.

__**Readings Reflections**__ The paper ‘//Working in an Ethical School’// Sherry, J. (2007) reinforced this week’s subject matter, highlighting the types of characteristics that must be present in an ethical school environment. The Awareness Checklist provided is a good ‘starting point’ for leaders to assess a teacher’s understanding and awareness around a school’s values and ethics. The outcome of this could then be used as a learning tool to direct teachers in areas where further knowledge and understanding are required to produce the correct ethical outcomes as seen by the school.

One of the main things I believe students took from this week’s subject matter is the inequality / expectations of male and female teachers. As I currently experience these differences (from volunteer work at my local Primary school), I feel that it highlighted particularly to the females in the group, that male teachers have an additional set of ethics that must be followed. Whilst I understand and agree on the need for this, I do find it hard when you have friendly students who want to show affection to you. I always feel very uncomfortable when a young child may want to grab my hand whilst on yard duty, or give you a hug when you are on the classroom floor working in small group activities, but the most uncomfortable situation is trying to explain to a child why they should not be approaching or touching me in such a manner.