Law and Ethics
Using Hall (2001) as a framework a moral dilemma will be discussed. This dilemma may be facing many teachers, schools, communities, locally, nationally and internationally.
What is the problem?
A member of staff is very active on social media and is friends with many of the staff on Facebook, both new, experienced, older and younger teachers. Some of the comments that are posted on Facebook in reply to teachers comments, I feel are inappropriate. Not only do all the teachers see these comments, as do parents and people in our school community.
The teachers who are friends with the member of staff. These may cause concerns between staff members. The parents of students who have access to the school Facebook page.
The school which has to uphold a professional relationship between all stakeholders.
.
Which stakeholder should be given priority?
Probably the safety of the teachers, and this members colleagues. If the situation is not confronted and resolved the situation will escalate, thus affecting the schools image and the relationships within the learning environment.
What restrictions are there to your actions?
The Code of Ethics for Certificated Teachers states that teachers will strive to
- treat colleagues and associates with respect, working with them co-operatively and collegially to promote students’ learning
- respect confidential information on colleagues unless disclosure is required by the law or serves a compelling professional purpose
- speak out if the behaviour of a colleague is seriously in breach of this code.
These are the main ethics involved in this situation. In the school setting staff are expected to be professional and demonstrate a behaviour that promotes the listed ethics above.
Which courses of action are possible?
- Do nothing and hope that there are no relationships tarnished as a result of this inappropriate behaviour
- Speak to the senior teacher involved and voice your concerns.
- Speak to the teacher about the possibility of having a professional and a personal Facebook profile
- Have professional development for the whole staff regarding to what type of behaviour is appropriate on social media, between a professional and personal life on social media
- Take concerns to the senior management team, Principal and if necessary Board of Trustees
Which course/s of action is least acceptable?
Ignoring the behaviour is not going to fix the situation, it will only escalate, thus putting a strain on professional relationships which could result in a staff rift, and uncomfortable situations between staff members.
Which course of action will you follow?
Which course of action will you follow?
My course of action would be to communicate with other staff members about my feelings, and question them if they feel the same. Seek advice from a member of the senior management team and if possible with the support of another staff member appraoch the staff member and converse about our concerns. Reference to the school's policies that pertain to this issue and ask for them to be raised at a staff PLD session and to remind all staff of their responsibility to be safe online.
When reflecting on this week's lesson content it has proven that making legal and ethical decisions is difficult, and that I am one not to rock the boat, but when someone has conducted themselves inappropriately and makes me feel uncomfortable something needs to be done.
References
Education Council. (n.d). The Education Council Code of Ethics for Certificated Teachers. Retrieved from https://educationcouncil.org.nz/content/code-of-et...
Hall, A. (2001). What ought I to do, all things considered? An approach to the exploration of ethical problems by teachers. Paper presented at the IIPE Conference, Brisbane. Retrieved from http://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Culture/Developing-leaders/What-Ought-I-to-Do-All-Things-Considered-An-Approach-to-the-Exploration-of-Ethical-Problems-by-Teachers
No comments:
Post a Comment