Code of Ethics
The Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE) supports the vision, core values, and mission of the board in fostering professional standards for teachers, not only with regard to academic rigor, but to include the highest ethical standards of professional conduct which foster commitment to students, the profession, and the community. This code is intended to advance the teaching profession and guide ethical understanding and decision making of P-12 educators in the State of Hawaiʻi.
Principle I:
Responsibility to the Profession
The professional educator is aware that trust in the profession depends upon a level of professional conduct and responsibility that may be higher than required by law. This entails holding one and other educators to the same ethical standards.
Principle IV:
Responsibility to the School Community
The professional educator promotes positive relationships and effective interactions, with members of the school community, while maintaining professional boundaries.
Principle II:
Responsibility for Professional Competence
The professional educator is committed to the highest levels of professional and ethical practice, including demonstration of the knowledge, skills and dispositions required for professional competence.
Principle V:
Responsible and Ethical Use of Technology
The professional educator considers the impact of consuming, creating, distributing and communicating information through all technologies. The ethical educator is vigilant to ensure appropriate boundaries of time, place and role are maintained when using electronic communication.
Principle III:
Responsibility to Students
The professional educator has a primary obligation to treat students with dignity and respect. The professional educator promotes the health, safety and well being of students by establishing and maintaining appropriate verbal, physical, emotional and social boundaries.
I will hold myself to a high level of ethical standards within my classroom and the school community
I will maintain a professional and ethical disposition within the school community
I will treat my students with respect and sensitivity to their personal background and situation
I will make consistent efforts to include my students' parents and family in their education and experiences at school
I will keep my professional and private lives separate online, and continue to use social media and technology responsibly
To me, focus on this Code of Ethics is just as important as any of the previous Teaching Standards! Aspects of the five Principals of the Code of Ethics are ingrained into my teaching Philosophy, as well as throughout my teaching practice exhibited through the evidence in each Standard discussed in this portfolio.