Examining Codes of Ethics

 Examining Codes of Ethics

Among your required readings this week are two code of ethics statements. I reviewed these documents and I identified four codes that I find to be meaningful to me, and I considered how each has become or will become a part of your professional life.

NAEYC Codes:

P-1.9—When we have reasonable cause to suspect child

abuse or neglect, we shall report it to the appropriate

community agency and follow up to ensure that

appropriate action has been taken. When appropriate,

parents or guardians will be informed that the referral

will be or has been made.

As a teacher, my goal is to make sure my students are learning in a safe environment and once they go home they continue to feel a sense of safety, if not the child will not be able to focus on what I am teaching and will not be receptive to new idea’s because they are consumed with the many issues they must face once they leave school. During my first year of teaching, one of my second grade students began to become very “needy” of me she wasn’t like this with anyone else…that student later said “Ms. Harris, I have to tell you something but my mom and dad said not to tell anyone”. …came out of my students mouth caused me to call my principal immediately and later excuse myself from the classroom (in a non-disturbing manner). My student was being abused and I had to appropriate action to ensure the well being of my student. It was very difficult for me to find out that a child is not being loved and protected the way a child should, so I am in full support of this particular code.

P-1.2—We shall care for and educate children in

positive emotional and social environments that are

cognitively stimulating and that support each child’s

culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure.

Children should be in a learning environment that supports their culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure. As a minority, I would often go into my sons classrooms and I would look for books, posters or anything that reflected who he is and I not only saw any artifacts, but I was even more upset at the fact that between two schools there were no minority teachers. I have learned people identify with things that closely mirror their image and in order to boost a child confidence, we should educated children of their culture as well as other cultures through foods, clothing, music, literature and ect…

I feel as this NAYCE and DEC Codes are parallel:

NAYCE Code:

I-2.4—To listen to families, acknowledge and build upon

their strengths and competencies, and learn from

families as we support them in their task of nurturing

children.

In order to better serve your community and the families within the schools that I work with, I try to interact with my students families so that I can find out what they like/dislike as a family and what they value so that I can incorporate some of their interest into my lessons when I’m teaching.  

DEC Code:

Enhancement of Children’s and Families’ Quality of Lives

1. We shall demonstrate our respect and concern for children, families, colleagues, and others with whom we work, honoring their beliefs, values, customs, languages, and culture.

In order to better serve your community and the families within the schools that I work with, I try to interact with my students families so that I can find out what they like/dislike as a family and what they value so that I can incorporate some of their interest into my lessons when I’m teaching.  

References:

 NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from
http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

 The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from
http://www.dec-sped.org/