LEGAL & ETHICAL ISSUES

Briefly reflect on two ethical considerations that particularly ‘struck a chord’ with you and what you will

consider as you undertake teaching practice.

Commitment to society

Modelling positive values which are widely accepted in society and encourage learners to apply them and critically appreciate their significance.

THIS MEANS: Wherever I go in the

community, or further, I am always a teacher, even when schools out and I’m not at ‘work’.

I am always viewed as a role model and responsible person who is trusted by many people.

THEREFORE:

I must always act responsibly where-ever I go to avoid any sightings or rumours about my personal life.

Acting inappropriately in society could potentially ruining my teaching reputation for a very long time, if not forever, and in turn even end my career.

In this sense I will always consider my actions very carefully before par- taking in them and be constantly aware of the things I say or do, that could be seen in a bad light by others. This means also being very careful about with whom I discuss my issues with regarding my students or the school itself.

‘Teacher trashed students on Facebook’ – www.stuff.co.nz

EXAMPLE OF TEACHER FAILING TO MAINTAIN THEIR COMMITMENT TO SOCIETY :

A teacher in the USA was complaining about her students on her Facebook page

Parents found out and demanded their children be withdrawn from her class

She was suspended from the school she was teaching at

All because she was not modelling positive values in her personal life.

Commitment to learners Catering for the varied learning needs of

diverse learners

THIS MEANS:

I will never be able to take on just one teaching strategy and assume it is going to work for all my learners.

I must constantly be seeking ways in which I can promote effective learning for ALL of my students.

THEREFORE:

I need to keep a broad and open mind to teaching.

Develop a very wide range of skills and strategies to deal with all kinds of learners.

I believe in general New Zealand schools will prove to be a challenging environment to teach, in the sense that they are just so diverse and there will be many learning styles I will need to cater for. Not only will I be dealing with the different ethnicities of NZ born citizens but I will also be dealing with students where English is not there first language and this presents a whole other barrier of issues that I will need to accommodate for.

Being committed to learners and their individual needs.

ADDITIONAL ASPECTS:

As a professional I need to set personal feelings aside when it comes to any particular student that I may not like.

I am still expected to facilitate their learning and work as a professional to get on with the public job I am employed to do.

It is demanded by New Zealand law that no child should be “subject to differential responses because of differences in social class, ethnicity, gender, or other factors over which children have no control”.

As a teacher there allows no room for judgement against others and in considering this statement I am aware equality amongst the students I teach will be a big part of my practice.