(Hooker, 1994)

Private Lives of Teachers

(Hooker, 1994)

Key Concepts

• Moral Ambiguity

• Education Codes

• Examples of Immoral Behavior

• Community Standards

• Teacher Rights

(Hooker, 1994)

Moral Ambiguity—Definition

• According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary ‘moral’ is defined as “concerning or relating to what is right and wrong in human behavior.”

(Hooker, 1994)

Moral Ambiguity—Something to Ponder

• Does the dictionary definition of moral do justice to what you believe about the word?

• How do we determine what is right or wrong in human behavior?

• As a teacher, how does this broad definition affect your job?

(Hooker, 1994)

Education Codes—Texas Administrative Code

• Standard 1.10 of the Professional Ethical Conduct, Practices and Performance section states: “The educator shall be of good moral character and be worthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state.”

19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2 (J)

(Hooker, 1994)

Education Codes—Bottom Line

• Teachers are expected to be role models to students

• Teachers are in a position where they have the ability to influence the lives of students

• The behaviors of teachers impact students

• Teachers have a responsibility in shaping the lives of students and there is a high standard that teachers must act in good moral

(Hooker, 1994)

Examples of Immoral Behavior

• Sexual misconduct

• Dishonesty

• Critical and derogatory statements about the employer

• Sexual “Immorality”

• Abuse of Sick leave

• Theft

• Drug Use

(Hooker, 1994)

Community Standards

• Be an exemplar or role model

• Stay out of the spotlight

• Maintain confidentiality

• Do not have a criminal record

• Maintain a criminal free lifestyle

• Have a clean “past” life

(Hooker, 1994)

Teacher Rights

• Teachers have the same rights as any other citizen

• It is the “perceived idea” of the profession, however, that “dictates” the rights of the teacher

• Teachers have to remember that when in the profession, there is a fine line that cannot be crossed in regards to exercising ones individual rights

(Hooker, 1994)

References

• Hooker, C. P. (1994, November). Terminating teachers and revoking their licensure for conduct beyond the schoolhouse

gate. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Organization on Legal Problems in Education,

San Diego, CA.

• Morality. 2014. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morality