NORTHEASTERN
COLLEGE
SANTIAGO CITY, PHILIPPINES
THE ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS: NURTURING
THE FUTURE
INTRODUCTION
Teachers are ultimately viewed as “perfect” in the eyes of their students; therefore, their
demeanor should exemplify a high standard of ethical reasoning and protocol. Teachers are
part of the educational world and should not participate in unethical behaviors which may deter
the method of analyzing and reasoning of students. The personality of teachers is crucial when
they may impact the future career goals and educational path of their students.
Students spend the majority of their life in the classroom, which concludes that the
overallorganizational culture and ethics that teachers exemplify in the classroom will ultimately
affect themindset of students.
The field of education is not only about academic instruction but also about fostering
the holistic development of young minds. Professional educators are entrusted with the
responsibility of shaping the future by imparting knowledge, instilling values, and cultivating
critical thinking skills. To carry out this vital role, ethical standards must guide the behavior
and decision-making of educators.
Teachers have the moral obligation to maintain their character to a higher standard in
the presence of their students. The teacher as a stakeholder is expected to possess the
professional knowledge to lead the students in instruction. However, it is challenging for
teachers to transform the culture and have a positive view in the eyes of their students without
parental support. Parents are the educational stakeholders that provide parental guidance for
the students and the support for the teachers Literature Review: The empowerment of teachers
will facilitate the empowerment of students” (Short and Greer, 2002).
As educators, teachers have to embrace the ethical standards that enjoin virtues of
honesty, compassion, and loyalty. “And, ethical standards include standards relating to rights,
such as the right to life, the right to freedom from injury, and the right to privacy. Such
standards are adequate standards of ethics because they are supported by consistent and
wellfounded reasons” (Bowie and Schneider, 2011).
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Upholding ethical standards is of utmost importance. Ethical standards in education
refer to the moral principles and values that guide our professional conduct and the way we
interact with students, colleagues, and the broader educational community.
Every profession has its code of ethical standards upheld by every professional. The
Code of Ethics for Educators, developed by the National Education Association (NEA),
outlines the professional obligations and responsibilities of educators. It provides guidance on
issues such as student welfare, professional integrity, confidentiality, and respectful
interactions. Educators are encouraged to adhere to this code in order to maintain high ethical
standards in their practice and to foster a positive learning environment for students.
PD 1006 and RA 7836 professionalized teaching. While laws on the professionalization
of teaching could be legislated, we cannot legislate professionalism, which is the end goal of
the professionalization law. Although the professionalization law can help promote
professionalism, professionalism is, in the ultimate analysis, the choice, the decision, and the
action of every professional teacher (Corpuz, 2007)
In upholding ethical standards, we commit to maintaining professional integrity. We
act ethically and honestly, demonstrating transparency and accountability in our actions. We
strive to be lifelong learners, continuously improving our professional competence to better
serve our students.
Defining Ethical Standards for Professional Educators
Ethical standards serve as the foundation for the actions and conduct of professional
educators. These standards encompass principles such as integrity, respect, fairness, and
professionalism. By upholding these standards, educators create a conducive learning
environment and foster positive relationships with students, colleagues, and the community.
Maintaining Confidentiality: One crucial ethical standard for educators is the
maintenance of confidentiality.
Maintaining confidentiality requires safeguarding the
information that an individual has disclosed in a relationship of trust and with the expectation
that it will not be disclosed to others without permission, except in ways that are consistent
with the original disclosure.
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Teachers must respect the privacy of students, ensuring that personal information is
shared only on a need-to-know basis. This includes keeping student records confidential,
respecting boundaries, and preserving sensitive information related to students' personal lives.
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest: Conflict of interest refers to a situation where an
individual's personal interests or relationships have the potential to interfere with their
professional obligations and decision-making.
By avoiding conflicts of interest, educators demonstrate their commitment to fairness
and equal treatment of all students. In education, conflicts of interest can arise in various forms.
For instance, a teacher might have a close relationship with a student or their family, which
could influence their treatment or evaluation of the student in an unfair manner.
Similarly, conflicts of interest can arise when educators have financial interests in
educational products or services that they recommend or use in the classroom. These conflicts
can compromise objectivity and the best interests of students.
Educators must proactively identify and address conflicts of interest that may
compromise their professional judgment or integrity. This involves refraining from engaging
in activities that may undermine ethical standards, such as favoritism, personal biases, or using
positions of authority for personal gain.
By being mindful of potential conflicts of interest and consistently prioritizing the best
interests of students, it maintains professional integrity and ensure a fair and unbiased
educational environment.
Practicing Inclusive Teaching: Inclusive teaching is an approach that aims to create a
supportive and equitable learning environment for all students, regardless of their diverse needs,
backgrounds, identities, or learning styles. It involves actively recognizing and addressing
barriers to learning, promoting equal opportunities, and fostering a sense of belonging for every
individual.
Another key component is using inclusive instructional strategies. This involves
employing varied teaching methods, incorporating multimodal materials, and providing
multiple means of representation and engagement. By catering to different learning styles and
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preferences, we can better meet the needs of diverse learners and make learning accessible to
all.
A teachers’ rationale to success may be based on the motto of Winston Churchill,
“Mountaintops inspire leaders but valleys mature them” (Pockell and Avila, 2007). Teachers
should give their students the freedom of choice and self-realization which will promote a sense
of unity with the teachers and students.
Ethical educators prioritize inclusivity in their classrooms, recognizing and valuing the
diverse backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives of their students. Inclusive teaching involves
creating an environment where every student feels welcomed, respected, and supported. It
embraces adapting instructional strategies to address the varied needs of learners, promoting
equity, and fostering a sense of belonging.
By implementing inclusive teaching practices, we can support the academic, social, and
emotional growth of all students. It cultivates a positive and inclusive learning environment
that celebrates diversity, promotes equity, and prepares students to thrive in a diverse and
interconnected world.
Promoting Academic Integrity: Promoting academic integrity involves teaching and
reinforcing principles of honesty, fairness, and ethical behavior in academic settings. It means
instilling in students a strong sense of integrity and personal responsibility when it comes to
their educational work. This includes educating students on the importance of proper citation
and giving credit to others' ideas, discouraging cheating or plagiarism, and fostering an
environment where academic honesty is valued and upheld.
By promoting academic integrity, educators aim to create a culture of trust and respect,
where students learn the importance of originality, critical thinking, and ethical practices.
Ultimately, promoting academic integrity prepares students for success in their
educational pursuits and beyond, as they develop the integrity and ethical mindset necessary
for their future endeavors.
Ethical educators foster a culture of academic integrity, emphasizing the importance of
honesty, originality, and ethical behavior in the pursuit of knowledge. They encourage students
to understand and adhere to academic rules, citing sources appropriately, and discouraging
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plagiarism or cheating. By promoting academic integrity, educators instill values of
responsibility, integrity, and respect for intellectual property in their students.
Navigating Ethical Dilemmas: Navigating ethical dilemmas can be a challenging task
for both educators and students. Ethical dilemmas arise when individuals face difficult choices
between conflicting values, principles, or obligations. In an educational context, ethical
dilemmas may involve issues like plagiarism, cheating, favoritism, or handling sensitive
information.
To navigate ethical dilemmas, it is important to start by recognizing and analyzing the
situation at hand. This entails understanding the various perspectives and potential
consequences involved. It is crucial to consider the ethical principles and values that guide our
actions, such as honesty, fairness, respect, and integrity.
Once the ethical dilemma is identified, it is helpful to seek guidance from established
ethical guidelines, such as institutional codes of conduct or professional standards. Consulting
with colleagues, mentors, or administrators can offer valuable insights and support in making
difficult decisions.
In resolving ethical dilemmas, it is important to consider the long-term impact and
consequences of different choices. Balancing conflicting interests while upholding ethical
principles can require thoughtful decision-making and compromise. Additionally,
communicating transparently and honestly with all parties involved can help navigate through
ethical challenges.
Moreover, educating students about ethical decision-making can empower them to
navigate ethical dilemmas on their own. By providing a foundation of ethical knowledge and
critical thinking skills, educators can support
Educators often face ethical dilemmas that require careful consideration and decisionmaking. Real-life scenarios or case studies can be examined to explore these dilemmas. By
critically analyzing such situations, educators can develop the skills necessary to navigate
complex ethical challenges while upholding their professional responsibilities.
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Consequences of Ethical Breaches: Consequences of ethical breaches refer to the
outcomes or repercussions that can occur as a result of violating ethical principles or codes of
conduct.
The consequences of ethical breaches in education cannot be overstated. When
educators or educational institutions engage in unethical behavior, it undermines the trust and
confidence that students, parents, and the community have in the educational system.
It is essential to understand the consequences of ethical breaches for professional
educators. Breaching ethical standards can lead to disciplinary actions, including reprimands,
suspension, or even termination of employment. Moreover, such breaches can damage an
educator's professional reputation and trust within the community.
By actively addressing and preventing ethical breaches, the educational community can
create an environment that fosters trust, integrity, and the best possible educational experiences
for all learners.
Teachers have to continuously be involved in the moral beliefs and conducts and strive
to ensure that they shape the future of their student’s lives under a solid foundation of ethnicity.
Relating to the Domains of Human Activities, teachers may relate to the triads of Moulton’s
continuum into the categories of Positive Law (Codified Ethics Regulation), Ethics
(implementation of moral values, requiring integrity and practice, and Free Choice (liberty,
allowing creativity, self-realization and license). Positive Law would refer to the Code of Ethics
have to abide by to ensure equality to their profession of teaching.
The professional educator accepts personal responsibility for teaching students
character qualities that will help them evaluate the consequences of and accept the
responsibility for their actions and choices (Campbell, 2006). ”All teachers have a Code of
Ethics that they are morally responsible for upholding. The foundation to the success of
teachers is their ethical and moral reasoning that is their guide of “doing what is right” in their
classroom and teachers with high integrity respect the values of their Code of Ethics.
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CONCLUSION
Leadership is a reflection on modeled behavior that is learned. Students learn from the
teachers and adapt themselves to their leadership demeanor. Because the foundation of an
educated society relies on the teachers who daily interact with students from early childhood
to young adulthood, it is important to understand what it means to be a professional teacher.
Professional educators play a pivotal role in shaping the future by nurturing young
minds. Upholding ethical standards is crucial to ensure the positive growth and development
of students.
The Ethical Principles promote good relationships between teachers, students, and
parents when making educational decisions. In addition, this relationship between the students,
the parents, and the teachers, all parties can improve the teaching and learning activities and
resources that will help improve the outcome of the individual’s education.
The education profession is vested by the public with a trust and responsibility requiring
the highest ideals of professionalism. Therefore, the educator accepts both the public trust and
the responsibilities to practice the profession according to the highest possible degree of ethical
conduct and standards. Such responsibilities include the commitment to the students, the
profession, the community and the family.
By emphasizing these standards, we can create a conducive learning environment that
empowers students to become ethical and responsible citizens who contribute positively to
society.
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COLLEGE
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REFERENCES
Bilbao, P., Corpuz, B., Llagas, A., Salandanan, G. (2006) The Teaching Profession. Quezon
City: Lorimar Publishing, Inc
"Code of Ethics for Educators" National Education Association
https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/ethics/code-ethics-educators
(NEA)
Ethics of Teachers Retrieved From https://studymoose.com
Understanding
Teachers’
https://files.eric.ed.gov
Perspectives
on
Professionalism
Retrieved
From
https://www.unr.edu/research-integrity/human-research/human-research-protection-policymanual/410-maintaining-data-confidentiality
https://englishwm.net/reflections-professional-ethics-willing-teacher/