Professional Standards and Responsibilities – Week 3 Lecture

Professionalism in Teaching

• Teachers must act professionally; lapses negatively impact students, colleagues, school, profession, self, parents & community.

AITSL Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST)

• Accreditation requires ongoing evidence of meeting all standards.
• Focus here: $7.1$ & $7.2$ under “Professional Engagement.”
• $7.1$ Meet professional ethics & responsibilities – apply codes of ethics/conduct.
• $7.2$ Comply with legislative, administrative & organisational requirements.

Ethics & Codes of Conduct

• WA Department of Education Shared Values: Integrity, Equity, Voice, Truth-telling, Teamwork, Care, Learning.
• Code of Conduct expects workplace behaviours that are purposeful, connected, high-performing, and show ethical leadership.
• Teacher Registration Board: maintain clear teacher-student professional boundaries (time, place, purpose, activity).

Personal Ethics & Online Conduct

• Align personal behaviour with school codes; maintain discretion & confidentiality.
• Trust from employers & parents demands consistently appropriate responses.
• Online/cyber safety: anything posted is permanent; ensure no personal or professional compromise.

Duty of Care

• Obligation to take reasonable steps to protect students from foreseeable risk of injury, damage, or harm.
• Negligence: failure to take proper care.
• Foreseeability: likelihood event could be predicted.
• Liability: being held responsible for another’s actions.
• DOE policies outline required procedures; consult them to guide decisions.

Professional Experience (PEx) Essentials

• Learn school policies before starting.
• Always intervene verbally in dangerous situations; avoid detaining a child alone.
• Never transport students in own vehicle; ask when uncertain.
• Physical contact: context matters; avoid actions that could be misinterpreted.
• Child protection: teachers are mandatory reporters (training provided later).
• Equity: no discrimination or harassment based on gender, identity, race, disability.
• Confidentiality: share student/family info only for original purpose or with consent; disclose without consent only if student/others at risk or under court order.

Practical Reminders

• Maintain professional conduct across lectures, tutorials, online spaces, and PEx.
• Obtain all clearances; placements released via SONIA.

Core Takeaways

• Know & uphold APST $7.1$ & $7.2$.
• Follow DOE & school codes, keep professional boundaries.
• Exercise duty of care through informed, proactive actions.
• Safeguard confidentiality, equity, and online presence.
• When uncertain, consult policies or ask a supervisor.