Educators
are entrusted with the care and education of learners at all levels; therefore,
they must adhere to a high standard of personal character and conduct in order
to serve as positive role models for pupils, families/caregivers, and the
community. Professional responsibility
begins with a prospective educator’s initial association with the Watson School
of Education and continues after their admission as a candidate for
licensure. All students associated with
the WSE, prior to and after admission to the school, must accept the
responsibility for adhering to high ethical standards, as they make a commitment
to serve pupils, schools, and their profession. Commitment to ethical and professional standards is expected to
continue as candidates are licensed and assume their professional roles. All
policies, procedures and regulations contained in the UNCW Code of Student
Life also apply.
The WSE Standards of
Professional Conduct incorporate the following:
·
the Code of Ethics for
North Carolina Educators (adopted by the North Carolina State Board of
Education, June 5, 1997; www.ncpublicschools.org);
·
the Code of Professional
Practice and Conduct for North Carolina Educators, effective April 1, 1998
(Section 0.600; www.ncpublicschools.org/teacher education/conductcode.htm);
and
·
the Watson School of
Education professional expectations as identified in the Performance Evaluation
Scale exit criteria.
Adherence to these
professional standards is expected during all aspects of students’
matriculation and career with the WSE, including practica and field
activities. Violations of these
Standards of Professional Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including
but not limited to withdrawal from courses (including those that require field
experiences and practica) and/or dismissal from the teacher education program.
Students are also subject to discipline for misconduct as stated in the UNCW
Code of Student Life.
1.
Understands, respects
and applies principles of teaching and learning and content knowledge relevant
to the area of licensure;
2.
Pursues growth and
development in the theory, principles, and practices of the profession
and uses knowledge and skills appropriately to improve the educational
opportunities, experiences, and performance of student learners and
colleagues.
3.
Demonstrates appropriate
behaviors, attitudes and skills related to the conduct of a professional
educator, such as the following:
·
attire appropriate to
the setting,
·
punctuality,
·
attendance,
·
professional
interactions with peers, faculty, staff, and administrators as well as
field-based personnel,
·
development and use of
appropriate professional language in oral and written communications, and
·
adherence to
institutional policies and procedures.
4.
Provides accurate and
truthful credentials and information regarding admission, requirements for
licensure, and in all interactions with faculty and staff.
1. Contributes to a classroom climate conducive to
learning.
2. Promotes optimal learning opportunities for all those
engaged in the educational setting on-campus, on-line or in field experiences
and/or practica.
3. Acknowledges and supports diverse views of students,
parents and legal guardians, and colleagues as they work collaboratively to
shape educational goals, policies, and decisions; does not proselytize for
personal viewpoints that are outside the scope of professional practice.
4. Participates positively, collegially and cooperatively
in campus-based coursework, school/community-based work and in other
professional decision-making processes.
5. When acting in a professional capacity:
A.
Acts fairly,
consistently, and prudently in the exercise of authority.
B.
Protects the rights of
others in the educational setting, and does not retaliate, coerce, or
intentionally intimidate others in the exercise of their rights protected by
law.
6. Acts and
speaks respectfully in educational settings as a representative of UNCW, the
Watson School of Education and its programs.
1. Supports, acknowledges and respects diversity among
individuals in all educational settings.
2. Sets high expectations for all students and provides
various methods and opportunities for students to achieve goals.
3. Protects students from conditions within the
educator’s control that circumvent learning or are detrimental to the health
and safety of students.
4. Manages student behavior fairly and consistently.
Influences student behavior in positive ways while maintaining students’
dignity;
5. Assesses students and assigns grades based upon the
students’ demonstrated competency, merit, and performance, without regard to
personal factors that are irrelevant to the program involved.
6. Holds in confidence information learned in
professional practice and contained in educational records except when
disclosure is required by pertinent regulations or statutes.
7. Treats all students with respect and maintains an
appropriate relationship with students in all settings. The educator will not
commit any abusive act or sexual exploitation with, to, or in the presence of a
student, whether or not that student is or has been under the care or
supervision of that educator, as defined below:
a. Speech that is considered abusive, profane, vulgar,
demeaning or obscene
b. Acts of child abuse, as defined by law
c. Any provision, sale or supply of alcohol or drugs
d. Any act of harassment based on sex, race, religion,
disability, age, and national origin as defined by policy and law and
e. Any intentional solicitation, encouragement, whether
written, verbal, or physical, or consummation of a romantic or physical
relationship with a P-12 student, or any sexual contact with a P-12
student. The term “romantic
relationship” shall include dating any P-12 student.