Personal Communication in Education

BALANCING PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL

• Principle 1.5: Teachers are always in a professional relationship with their learners, whether at the education setting where they teach or not. This extends to all interactions, both physical and digital, and requires maintaining appropriate boundaries and ethical conduct.

DISCRETION

• Question: What do our choices and actions communicate about us, and how might this reflect upon us as teachers?

• Considerations:

  • What we talk about and to whom, outside of the school setting. This includes being mindful of gossip, sharing sensitive information, and maintaining confidentiality regarding student and school matters.

  • Our personal online presence. This involves managing social media profiles, understanding the permanence of online content, and ensuring that online activity aligns with professional standards.

SETTING BOUNDARIES AND EXPECTATIONS

• Managing Workplace Communications:

  • Consider the context when scheduling meetings. Ensure meetings are scheduled at appropriate times and locations, respecting everyone's time and commitments.

  • Consider the context when scheduling emails.

  • When to read emails. Establish specific times for checking emails to avoid constant disruption.

  • When to respond to emails. Set clear expectations for response times and prioritize urgent matters.

  • When to send emails. Be mindful of the timing of emails, avoiding late-night or early-morning messages unless necessary.

  • Utilize automated responses where appropriate. Use out-of-office replies and other automated tools to manage expectations and provide timely information.

PROTECTIVE COMMUNICATION CHOICES

• Ensure that personal communication choices are protective of:

  • The children. Prioritize their safety and well-being in all communications.

  • The parents/carers. Maintain respectful and professional communication, addressing their concerns and providing necessary information.

  • Colleagues. Foster a supportive and collaborative environment through respectful and constructive communication.

  • Yourself. Protect your own professional reputation and well-being by maintaining appropriate boundaries and ethical conduct in all communications.