WEEK 5

UNIT IV: TEACHING PROFESSION WITH SOCIAL, CULTURAL ETHICS AND ETHICAL ASPECTS

Conditions for Professionalisation

  • Specialized Knowledge: Necessity for teachers to undergo formal education to gain specialized knowledge related to their field.

  • Professional Culture: Emphasis on fostering a professional culture that promotes ethics and best practices within the teaching profession.

  • Professional Ethics/Morality: Requirement for teachers to adhere to high ethical standards and moral values.

  • Professional Organizations: Involvement in professional organizations that support educators and the teaching profession.

  • Public Recognition as a Profession: Gaining public acknowledgment and respect for teaching as a legitimate and essential profession.

  • Providing Service: Teachers must provide defined services to their students and community.

  • Freedom/Right to Work: Teachers should be allowed the rights associated with their profession.


  • Control for Admission: Criteria should exist to regulate the admission of individuals into the teaching profession.(Erden, 2019; Tezcan, 1985 cited in Dağ & Özdemir, 2019)

Code of Ethics of the Teaching Profession in the USA

  • Maintain Trust in the Profession: Uphold and foster the integrity of the teaching profession.

  • Maintain Professional Relationships with Students: Develop appropriate and respectful relationships with students.

  • Respect the Uniqueness and Diversity of Students: Value and respect the individual backgrounds and identities of students.

  • Collaborative Work: Engage and collaborate with colleagues, parents, guardians, and caregivers.

  • Act with Honesty and Integrity: Ensure actions are grounded in ethical principles and honesty.

  • Keep Professional Knowledge Up To Date: Continuously update knowledge and skills relevant to education.

  • Resource: Code of Ethics

Principles of Teaching Professional Ethics

1. Professionalism

  • Acquiring relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for the teaching profession.

  • Timely and high-quality service delivery.

  • Continuous self-evaluation and striving for improvement.

  • Focus on providing a supportive physical and psychological learning environment for students. (Aydın, 2019, pp.95-96)

2. Responsibility in Service

  • Understand accountability to supervisors and stakeholders.

  • Emphasize taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions in the educational context. (Aydın, 2019, p.96)

3. Justice

  • Ensuring fairness in dealing with students and treating all students equitably.

  • Providing equal opportunities for all students to participate in learning activities. (Aydın, 2019, p.97)

4. Equality

  • Distribution of benefits and responsibilities must consider basic individual equality.

  • Addressing differences in needs while promoting equality among all students. (Frederickson, 1994, p. 460.) (Aydın, 2019, pp.98-99)

5. Ensuring a Healthy and Safe Environment

  • Guarantee that students have access to a safe and healthy classroom and school environment.

  • Foster order and discipline while eliminating dangers to student well-being. (Aydın, 2019, p.100)

6. Avoiding Corruption

  • Definition: Illegal use of public office for personal gain.

  • Types of corruption include:

    • Privileged actions for financial gain.

    • Abuse of position for personal benefits.

    • Misuse of state authority. (Berkman, 1983, p. 10)

7. Honesty, Integrity, and Trust

  • Importance of maintaining honesty in communication and actions with students and colleagues.

  • Trust is fundamental in building relationships in the educational environment. (Aydın, 2019, p.102)

8. Impartiality

  • Ability to remain objective and fair, separating personal biases from professional judgments.

  • Objectivity enhances fairness in educational practices. (Aydın, 2019, p.103)

9. Professional Commitment and Continuous Improvement

  • Commitment to the teaching profession and personal continuous development.

  • Engage in professional development activities to enhance teaching skills and knowledge.

  • Support new teachers in their professional journey.

10. Respect

  • Acknowledgment of the inherent value and dignity of every individual.

  • Respectful treatment of students and parents, irrespective of their background. (Aydın, 1993, p. 73; Aydın, 2019, p.105)

11. Effective Use of Resources

  • Efficiently utilize time and other resources in the educational setting.

  • Importance of being punctual and prepared for class activities.

12. Avoiding Slacking

  • Commitment to fulfilling job responsibilities without pretense.

  • Importance of maintaining focus and engagement during lessons; avoiding distractions. (Aydın, 2019)

Social, Cultural and Moral Aspects of Teaching

  • The teacher's role in preparing students for various aspects of life, fostering responsibility, service orientation, and awareness of community and interpersonal relationships.

  • Importance of being a role model in developing balanced personalities and ethical principles.

Scenario

  • Context: Ms. D, a 7th-grade math teacher, expresses concern about a challenging student while discussing specific details about the student's performance and identifying them by name.

  • Ethics: This scenario highlights the importance of confidentiality and ethical communication about students in professional settings.