In order to write my ethical belief statement, I had to deeply consider what things I valued enough to consider my true ethics. Ethics is defined as a system or set of moral principles that are followed at all times. Though ethics and morals are quite similar; I feel that they are uniquely different in this case. The ethics that I take into the school with me everyday are treating students with integrity and respect, treating my fellow staff members with professionalism, and instilling and modeling positive character in my students and colleagues. Holding these ethics in high regard allows me to demonstrate my beliefs through my actions and my words to the students as well as my fellow staff members within my school.
I believe in treating students with integrity and respect at all times. Doing so can often be extremely difficult and taxing. Having the ability to step back from a situation and continue to treat people with respect is something that I try to main conscious of. We expect a great deal from our students. However at times teachers are not willing to give the same respect back to the students. We must remember that the students are young maturing individuals who are learning from us and thus through our interaction with them. It is through my ethics that I must treat them all as individuals in order for them to continue to grow into young responsible adults. Students will live up to whatever criteria you set for them to whether the expectations are positive of negative.
Treating staff with professionalism is one ethic that I am continuing to grow as I work my way up the ladder into administration and leadership roles. I feel that staffs are often not given the respect that they deserve as educated professionals. They have the ability to make positive choices when the proper environment is presented to them. I always try to work cooperatively with my colleagues regardless of their profession within the building. I believe that each of us is here for the right reasons and that they too will grow in the proper environment. It is the staff who carries out whatever vision their leader has whether that vision is good or needs improvement.
I understand that to have a positive working environment and to have positive rapport with your staff it is vital to treat them like professionals. I currently see a district where the teachers are not treated like professionals and as a result they do not feel as though they should act as such. I also feel that professionalism is a two-way street. The staff must maintain professionalism and conduct themselves appropriately even without being monitored or feeling they are being watched. I believe though that staff will respond when given the proper environment to thrive. It is important to always maintain this proper ethic when working with your staff and most importantly remain professional with them.
The final ethic that I always try to display in my daily life is having good character at all times. Being a teacher, I know that I am being looked at all times. Students are always watching us for how we behave, react, and interact with the environment around us. Students are almost waiting for us to trip up and catch us not acting in the best character at all times. Character is something that is always being built upon and something that is always tested in our daily lives. Having good character is a constant evaluation of one’s self.
My ethical belief goes back to treating all people with dignity, respect, integrity and fairness at all times regardless of the situation. We are often tested on our ethical beliefs and through those tests our beliefs become more secure to use. I understand that my ethics are with me at all times and I must always continue to improve them and myself as an individual. At the end of the day, I believe the golden rule sums it up the best in saying to treat people the way you wish to be treated.