Compared to other professionals, teachers face more scrutiny of their behaviors because they are held to a higher standard of conduct.
Teachers must be held accountable for their actions, irrespective of whether similar behavior is justifiable for others. They have various responsibilities such as being authority figures, role models, behavioral examples, and surrogate parents (Weldon 2003). In certain situations, a teacher may be the sole source of authority in a child's life. If that trust is shattered, where can the child seek support? There have been numerous instances of teachers engaging in unethical conduct. To exemplify this point, two teachers in school district 52 in B.C. are currently facing charges of sexually exploiting students.
Two teachers were recently involved in separate cases of alleged sexual misconduct. One teacher, who had been employed for five years, was charged with
...three cases of sexual exploitation involving a young person (Schumacher, 2008). The other teacher faced charges of two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual exploitation against a person with a disability (Schumacher, 2008). After conducting an investigation, the district terminated the first teacher's employment while suspending the second teacher from their duties (Schumacher, 2008). Concerning these incidents, it was observed that a thorough examination of existing policies and codes of conduct is necessary to prevent such occurrences. Similar to doctors' code of ethics, it is presumed that teachers also have their own set of guidelines (Schumacher, 2008).
After a teacher in Bakersfield, CA was charged with two felony counts of oral copulation with a person under age 18 (Kotowski, 2008), the chair of School District 52 reviewed practices to prevent future issues. According to Neal, avoidin
engaging in statutory rape and instead limiting activities to kissing, making out, holding and caressing each other would save them from a lot of trouble (Kotowski).
Neal instructed the student to falsify the truth regarding their interaction, unaware that the police were recording the conversation. As a teacher with a decade of experience, Neal has been placed on administrative leave. Similarly, in Ontario, a teacher had their license revoked due to making discriminatory remarks about Jewish individuals during personal time. According to Brian Kenny, a lawyer with MacPherson Leslie and Tyerman in Regina, the Supreme Court recognized that a teacher's off-duty behavior can impact their role within the educational system if it fosters a hostile environment. (Klie, 2007).
Despite engaging in racist activities for years, he managed to keep his job. However, when the board received a tape of him speaking at a Heritage Front rally, surrounded by a swastika flag and praising a neo-Nazi who violated the Canadian Human Rights Act, he finally faced consequences. Meanwhile, upon returning to school in Woodstock, GA, teachers were presented with the Teacher Code of Ethics, which serves as the Georgia school's version of the 10 Commandments. Shockingly, during the summer break, one teacher was convicted of child abuse and two others were indicted for soliciting students at school for sex.
Although there are multiple instances of sexual misconduct, not all unethical actions by teachers revolve around that issue. For example, one teacher altered a student's test answers because she personally believed the student did not deserve a promotion. Additionally, another teacher discovered that a particular medication for hyperactivity was effective and distributed it to other students without proper authorization.
Teachers have a responsibility to maintain higher standards since they have the important role of shaping the individuals who will lead our future. While I believe their personal lives should not be excessively scrutinized, I do think there should be established ethical guidelines for teachers to adhere to.
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