Code of Ethics

Codes of ethics are written for a reason.  They are there to guide professional educations to do the best for children, families and each other to make sure they are safe and protected, and maintain high standards.  In looking at the codes it was hard to pick three that really resonated with me.  They are all important but the three I choose were:

Section III Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues

I-3A.1-To establish and maintain relationships of respect, trust, confidentiality, collaboration, and cooperation with co-workers.

            Having a trusting and well working relationship with your colleagues is one of the most important issues. If you don’t have trust with each other it is hard to keep your mind on the children.  You are all there for one reason, the care and education of children.   This code is about basic respect for each other, something we are to be teaching to the children.  One should not be taking confidential materials and discussing them with individuals not authorized, this will dismiss any trust or respect anyone has for you.

Section IV Ethical Responsibilities to Community and Society

P-4.1-We shall communicate openly and truthfully about the nature and extent of services that we provide.

            Being open and honest with families which services we do provide onsite or are capable of providing is very important.  I would never want to mislead a parent in any situation even if this means the child must go to another facility.  I want what is best for the child and if another center can provide that, then they should attend there.

P-4.13 When a child protection agency fails to provide adequate protection for abused or neglected children; we acknowledge a collective ethical responsibility to work toward the improvement of these services.

            Child protection services are very dear to me.  I have seen to many cases where children were severely mistreated by family members or neighbors.  The children cry out to you and the pain of knowing there is little you can do legally is heartbreaking.  If an agency fails in this area it is our duty to fight the system that is preventing the CPS from doing theirs.

DEC Code of Ethics

II. Professional Development and Preparation-1. We shall engage in ongoing and systematic reflective inquiry and self-assessment for the purpose of continuous improvement of professional performance and services to young children with disabilities and their families.

            Self-reflection is never easy for anyone but it is a must to maintain growth in one’s professional life.  Teachers and caregivers need to self-reflect on their performance as a teacher and the services that are being provided.  One must look at their programs and objectively determine if they are effective to the children they are servicing.  If the programs are not meeting standards then determine what needs to be changed.

4. We shall support professional new to the field by mentoring them in the practice of evidence and ethically based services.

            All professionals need a strong support system.  New professionals need a system that is knowledgeable and ethical.  It is our job to help these new professionals learn the system and guide them in their journey to educating and loving children.  As a new teacher I did not have a strong support system set up for me and it was very difficult to find my fit in the system.  I have always remember this and am determined that other teachers should not have to experience this if I can help it.

III. Responsive Family Centered Practices

6. We shall respect families’ rights to choose of refuse early childhood special education or related services.

            As teachers we sometimes believe that we know what is best for the child.  This code I believe is made just for us.  Families do have the right determine what is best for their child and family.  Their choice may even go against what we feel is right.  We have to put ourselves in their shoes and think how we would feel if someone was pushing us to do something we did not feel right about.