Pono:
Showing integrity by acting in ways that are fair, honest, ethical and just.
- Education Council 2017
As teachers we have an important role to play in the lives of our students, whanau, colleagues and our schools. Our actions can keep these communities safe or put them at risk. We have an obligation to act, where necessary, to protect not only our students but our fellow teachers and ourselves.
Digital technologies have made the world a very small place and social media has given us the opportunity to connect with each other anytime, anywhere. However, as with every innovation it comes with benefits and dilemmas.
The Dilemma
Two young first year teachers both employed for the first time at the same school. Both were very technology savvy and on social media. They became friends with parents via Facebook and eventually the two teachers became romantically involved. This relationship then played out on Facebook. The dilemma is that they were not "maintaining a professional distance" (Connecticut's Teacher Education and mentoring Program, 2012) from parents and then students, as they too became aware of the relationship.
The Main Stakeholders
In this case the main stakeholders would be the two teachers themselves as their actions could jeopardize their employment. The other stakeholders are their colleagues and the school. According to The Code of Professional Responsibility (2017) "...teachers are expected to demonstrate a high standard of professional behaviour and integrity" (pg 10). Their actions reflected upon all staff members and it is important for all to maintain a degree of professionalism. But as there was no damage done, the stakeholders that should have taken priority are the beginning teachers because they were young, naive and just needed some guidance. It would have been a shame to lose such enthusiastic teachers.
Course of Action
There were several courses of action available:
Say nothing and see how it plays out
Speak to the principal and let him deal with it
Have a word to the teachers and suggest unfriending the parents
Have a word to the teachers and suggest they keep a low profile on Facebook or at least be selective about what is posted
I think in this case the last option would have benefited everyone. The teachers had obviously forged friendships with parents and that could be a good thing as long as the posts don't become too personal. Unfriending parents may cause more problems. Going to the principal would only bring his attention to the situation and this may not bode well for future employment. I wouldn't want to be responsible for the consequence of going down this road and the risk to their careers (Hall, 2001).
Reflection
In this case, I think preventing this from happening in the first place would have been better than responding to it (Ministry of Education. 2015). It is time our school looked at the issue of social media and came to a collective agreement as to what is acceptable practice around staff use. It is a difficult one as teachers do need to be allowed the same opportunities that social media promotes but there also needs to be balanced due to the huge amount of trust families, whanau and the community put in us. If teachers cannot conduct themselves in a professional manner are parents going to want us guiding their children's learning? So, with the joy of teaching comes the responsibility of professional conduct.
We have come a long way!
References:
Connecticut’s Teacher Education and Mentoring Program.(2012) Ethical and Professional
Dilemmas for Educator: Facilitator’s Guide. Retrieved from http://www.ctteam.org/df/resources/Module5_Manual.pdf
Education Council. (2017). The Education Council Code of Ethics for Certificated Teachers.
Retrieved from https://educationcouncil.org.nz/sites/default/file/Our%20Code%20Our%20Standards%20web%20booklet%20FINAL.pdf
Hall, A. (2001) What ought I to do, all things considered? An approach to the exploration of ethical problems by teachers. Paper presented at the IIPE Conference, Brisbane. Retrieved from http://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Culture/Developing-leaders/What-Ought-I-to-Do-All-Things-Considered-An-Approach-to-the-Exploration-of-Ethical-Problems-by-Teachers
Ministry of Education. (2015). Digital technology: Safe and responsible use in schools.
Retrieved from http://www.education.govt.nz/assets/Documents/School/Managingand-
supporting-students/DigitalTechnologySafeAndResponsibleUseInSchs.pdf
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