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This Presentation is made available to
you to be used as a refresher. All (new
hires/hires missing ethics) still have to
attend the schools Diocesan training.)
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Ethics and Best Practices for
Professionals
Diocese of St. Petersburg
New Hire Training
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Professionalism Through Integrity
• The Code of Ethics
and The Principles of
Professional Conduct
of The Education
Profession in Florida
The Code of
Ethics for
Catholic School
Educators.
•Florida Department
• of Education www.fldoe.org
•National Catholic
Education Association
•
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Contract vs. Covenant
• Contract: a legal, binding document
• Covenant: commitment to ministry
• Profession and Ministry
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Catholic educators are by virtue
held to the highest possible
standard of excellence.
• The educator’s primary professional concern will always be
for the student and the development of the student’s potential.
• The educator strives to achieve and sustain the highest degree
of ethical conduct.
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"GO, Teach"
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Jesus told His first disciples. Since the
beginning of Christianity, education has
been one of the most important missions of
the Church. Its success depends upon the
professional competence, quality, and above
all, the commitment of the teacher to Christ
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This Code of Ethics for the Catholic school teacher
specifies the attitude and practice of the Catholic
school teacher in relation to the student, the
parent, the community, and to the profession. This
code not only offers a guide on how to teach, but
also a guide on how to live.
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Total Individuals Holding Current Florida
Certifications: 282,478
• Prekindergarten/Primary Education, (age 3 - Grade 3)
Certifications 16,164
• Elementary Education, (K - 6) Certifications 75,144
• Elementary Education, (1 - 6) Certifications 61,972
• Exceptional Student Ed., (K - 12) Certifications 30,179
• English, (6 - 12) Certifications 21,826
• Music, (K - 12) Certifications 6,630
• Reading, (K - 12) Certifications 8,029
• Mathematics, (6 - 12) Certifications 12,506
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Did you know…
You may also visit the Department’s Web site,
MyFloridaTeacher.com, where the public can search
an online database to see if any disciplinary action
has been taken against a certified educator’s
certificate?
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PRINCIPLES OF
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
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1. Obligation to the Student
2. Obligation to the Parents
3. Obligation to the Public
4. Obligation to the Profession
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Obligation to the Student
• Help students see the relevance of a Christian value system in their
daily lives.
• Commit to academic integrity, fairness, honesty and objectivity to
students.
• Plan appropriate service projects for students that will develop
their sense of responsibility to the community.
• Refuse any means of payment for tutoring students assigned to our
classes and reject any other use of our students for personal
financial gain.
• Implement the Diocesan Standards and Benchmarks, develop
appropriate lesson plans and provide differentiated instruction.
• Avoid harassment, embarrassment or discrimination against
students.
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Obligation to Parents.
• Respect parents' fundamental human right to know, to understand
and to share in decisions that affect the education of their child
by…
• assuring parents of a commitment to ongoing education as a
professional educator and informing them, upon request, of
educational qualifications.
• Keeping parents apprised of the curriculum, method of instruction.
Student expectations, and grading policies.
• Report to parents their child's progress regularly and as needed, in a
spirit of charity, with professional accuracy and honesty.
• Respect any confidential information which parents share.
• Do not share personal religious views with students.
• Ensure the implementation of Student Support Plans as
needed.
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Obligation to the Public
• Model peaceful solutions to community conflicts
• Actively participate in one's own parish.
• Provide opportunities for taking responsible moral positions on
current issues
• Reflect the philosophy of the school in one's attitudes and actions.
• Display respect and appreciation for the work of educators in other
schools and systems.
• Encourage in students a respect for the person and property of their
neighbors.
• Avoid using professional position for personal gain or advantage.
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Obligation to the Profession
Maintain professional standards by
• preserving the reputations of colleagues, administrators and
students.
• safeguarding the exchange of confidential information.
• assisting in the orientation of educators new to a position and/or
school.
• considering the obligations of the teaching contract as binding in a
most serious manner, conscientiously fulfilling the contract.
• terminating unexpired contracts only because of serious reasons,
with the consent of both parties, and after sufficient notice.
• upholding the authority of the school when communicating with
parents, students, and civic community
• exhibiting knowledge of the Church documents, especially "To
Teach as Jesus Did," "Sharing the Light of Faith," and "The Catholic
School."
STATE AGENCIES WHICH ADDRESS
EDUCATOR MISCONDUCT
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Office of Professional Practices;
http://www.fldoe.org/edstandards/
In Florida, certified educators are held to standards of
conduct as outlined in the Florida Statutes and State Board
of Education Rules. The Code of Ethics and Principles of
Professional Conduct represent the guideposts of what
professional educators and members of the community can
and should expect from educators. They also serve as a
reminder to the educator that there are obligations and
expectations associated with the profession.
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Examples of behaviors which may result
in suspension or revocation of State of
Florida Certification
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EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIORS WHICH MAY RESULT IN
SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION
• Inappropriate use of technology at work or home
• Breach of contract
• Revocation/suspension of certificates
in other states
• Absent without leave; fraudulent
leave records
• Misappropriation of school money/
• property (larceny, FTE, fraud, sick leave, travel)
• Fraudulent certificate/application
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EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIORS WHICH MAY RESULT IN
SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION
•Altering student grades, records, FTE records; test answers
to students
•Poor professional performance
•Incompetence
•Drug abuse/alcohol abuse
•Use of alcohol or other drugs with and/or in presence of
students
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EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIORS WHICH MAY RESULT IN
SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION
Conviction of a crime of
moral turpitude
Worthless checks
Shoplifting/petty theft
Illegal use of firearms/weapons
Public Assistance fraud (welfare, food stamps)
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EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIORS WHICH MAY RESULT IN
SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION
Sexual misconduct
Assault/battery/rape
Grand Theft/larceny (credit card, possession of stolen
property)
Manslaughter/murder/attempted murder
Miscellaneous felony (burglary, robbery, arson,
counterfeiting)
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Behaviors which will
result in
dismissal from
employment in the
Diocese of St. Petersburg
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ACTIVITIES/ BEHAVIORS WHICH WILL RESULT IN
DISMISSAL FROM EMPLOYMENT
As stated in your contract:
Failure to support and exemplify in conduct and/or instruction
both Catholic doctrine and morality
Failure to refrain from any action which would reflect discredit
on the Roman Catholic Church or be detrimental to its
religious doctrines and tenets
Failure to exhibit personal integrity, honesty and compassion
Failure to exhibit behaviors of a law abiding and loyal American
citizen
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ACTIVITIES/ BEHAVIORS WHICH WILL
RESULT IN DISMISSAL FROM EMPLOYMENT
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•
•
•
•
•
•
Professional misconduct
Incompetency
Insubordination
Willful neglect of duties
Conviction of a crime of moral turpitude
Drunkenness
Conviction of a misdemeanor, felony, or any
other criminal charge other than a minor
traffic violation
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ACTIVITIES/ BEHAVIORS WHICH WILL
RESULT IN DISMISSAL FROM EMPLOYMENT
• Guilty of personal conduct which seriously
reduces effectiveness as an employee of the
school
• Conviction of a misdemeanor, felony, or any other
criminal charge other than a minor traffic
violation
• Breach of local contract
• Violation of the Principles of Professional Conduct
for the education profession in Florida
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Inappropriate use of technology
at work or home
Personal use of technology
during the school day.
• Phone calls
• Texting
• Internet Use
Cell phone usage during the
school day in a way that is not
in accordance with school
policy is unacceptable. Staff
cell phones should be turned
off, unless permission has
been given by the principal
for an extenuating
circumstance.
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E-mailing, Texting and
Social Networking Websites
• Communicate with students openly. Private
communication between teacher and student
breaks down professional boundaries and can put
teachers in a questionable position.
• Do not text or e-mail a student.
• Do not invite students to view your social
network, such as Facebook.
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COMMON SENSE AND
PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT
PART 1:
INTERACTION WITH STUDENTS
PART 2:
RECORD KEEPING AND
ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES
PART 3:
REPUTATION IN THE SCHOOL
COMMUNITY
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INTERACTION WITH STUDENTS
Maintain a professional barrier between you and students.
You are the adult, the teacher, and the professional; act like the
professional teacher not like another one of the “kids.”
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Keep the classroom door
completely open when meeting
with one student or a small
group of students.
Refer students to the
appropriate resource person
for counseling and/or
discussions about personal
matters.
Do not flirt with students.
Do not discuss your personal
life or personal matters
with students.
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Maintain a safe environment
Never leave your students
unsupervised (recess,
locker room, classroom,
field trip, etc.)
Never transport students in
your car.
Maintain appropriate
touch, only!
Use verbal praise and
reinforcement.
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Know your Handbooks!
Teachers in the Diocese of St. Petersburg are
responsible for reading, understanding, and upholding
all diocesan and school policies.
• Diocese of St. Petersburg Employee Handbook
• School Parent-Student Handbook
• Faculty & Staff Handbook
The Diocese of St. Petersburg does not permit corporal
punishment.
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DISCIPLINE POLICY
Diocese Of St. Petersburg
Teachers and principals must administer
discipline in accordance with regulations of
the State Board of Education (See F.S.
232.27). Pupils should be treated kindly,
considerately, humanely and in a Christian
manner.
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• Know your school’s policies for chaperoning events
• Do not share personal contact information
(home/cell phone number, personal e-mail account,
home address, etc.)
• Respect student privacy and individual differences.
• Be careful what you say. What you intend as humor
may, in fact, be cultural bias or harassment.
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Parents as employees
• you are ALWAYS the employee
• you are ALWAYS the representative of the school
• maintain confidentiality
• grades, disciplinary action, family situations, court
orders
• be extra vigilant in social situations
• Birthday party
• Soccer game
• Restaurants/bar
• Grocery store
Think before you speak!
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RECORD KEEPING AND ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES
Know and follow your school and diocesan policies regarding
collecting money, purchasing materials and equipment.
• Never collect money without permission for the administration.
• Do not keep money in the classroom overnight. Turn money
into the school bookkeeper each day it is collected.
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Establish your grading system consistent with school
policies. Provide a clearly written explanation to students
and parents at the beginning of the year or when they begin
your class or unit of instruction. Post on the school website.
Seek approval (from your administrator) of your
lesson plans
The following are legal documents:
• Attendance record
• Grade book
• Lesson Plan Book
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REPUTATION IN THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY
•
Keep your administration informed as needed
•
Always uphold the reputation of your colleagues. Display unity
at all times.
•
Communicate in a positive and professional manner with
parents. Document your communication.
•
Dress and act appropriately at all times. You are a role model in
the community as well as in the school.
•
provide a good example for your students.
•
Be cautious about photos posted on-line. Students and
parents could view them!
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• Ask yourself how someone else could perceive your comments
or actions. Ask yourself if your words or actions could be
taken out of context and/or misinterpreted.
• Avoid putting yourself in a position where you have to defend,
explain, or justify your behavior or actions.
• Avoid putting yourself in a position where it’s your word
against another person’s word.
• Be careful what you write in emails to parents.
• Maintain a professional reputation in the community.
• When you socialize, be discreet.
• Be cautious about discussing business outside of the school.
SET AND RESPECT CONFIDENTIALITY AT ALL TIMES.
“Would you be able to explain your behavior to our Bishop?”
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Unethical and/or illegal conduct by educators in
their private lives
a. is grounds for disciplinary action (which may
include action against the certificate).
b. may lead to disciplinary action only if the nature
of the misconduct impairs the educator’s
effectiveness or trustworthiness in the classroom.
c. is a private matter and not subject to disciplinary
action.
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Educators are explicitly forbidden from
discriminating against…
a. students based upon their sexual orientation.
b. students based upon their handicapping
condition.
c. students based upon their age.
d. all of the above.
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Under which circumstance is it acceptable for a
teacher to date a student?
a. The student is 18 years old or older.
b. The student’s parent(s) consent in
writing.
c. After the student graduates from the
school system.
d. Permission is given by school
administrator.
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It is important to note that not all incidents of
misconduct that may appear to violate the code of
ethics warrant discipline against a certificate.
Standards of ethical conduct represent the highest
ideals of the education profession. Sometimes a
violation of one or more of the standards is solely an
employment matter and most appropriately handled
by the employer; other times conduct may warrant
more severe and significant action.
• EDUCATION STANDARDS COMMISSION
• EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION
• PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES SERVICES SECTION
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“There are two educations.
One should teach us how to make a living
and the other how to live.”
-John Adams
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Let it be known to all who enter here that Jesus Christ
is the reason for
this school.
The unseen, but ever present teacher in its classes,
the model of its faculty, the inspiration of its students