Journal # 5

I do firmly believe that teachers should be beholden to a code of ethics. I believe that it is our duty to be professional and positive role models for our students. Without a code of ethics I’m not really sure how many teachers may be fit for the position. I think that it is just important to be professional when you are in the field of education because children look up to you, they idolize you, and many want to grow to be like you one day. If you weren’t professional, why would parents or even the students want to look up to you? I believe that it is important teachers follow the code of ethics because they play a huge part in children’s lives and these children will always remember teachers, whether it was for their professionalism or how bad they were.

I know that I want to be the best teacher I can possibly be. I will strive to make sure that I follow the code of ethics to a tee because I want my students to remember me for good things. I want them to be able to look up to me and to look at me as a role model. I believe to a positive influence and good educator means that you are professional and strive to be a role model for your students. I know that I will never forget some of my teachers in the past because they were very unprofessional, however, I remember other teachers because of how professional and caring they were towards their students. For example, my second grade teacher hated teaching. She was always yelling at us and never had a positive thing to say. She scared me and I never wanted to speak because I always felt my answers weren’t good enough. She, to me, was very unprofessional and for that I will forever remember how rude she was. My first grade teacher on other hand loved when we gave our input. She asked us questions all the time, she had us help her and participate frequently. She always recognized when we did something good and she made it known that she cared for all the students. For this, I will always remember her class and to this day she is still my favorite teacher!

I also believe that teachers need to follow the code of ethics for certain things that may occur in the classroom, or even outside of the classroom. If a teacher is going to report child abuse she/he needs to be aware of the students feelings as well as how the parents will react when and if social services thinks the case is strong enough to go through with. The teacher needs to be sensitive to that student as well if it is true that they are being abused. Abuse with children is a very touchy subject and many children won’t come out and say that they are being abused. They normally hide behind the pain and struggles and secretly pray that someone will help them. Child abuse is such a hard subject and it’s hard to believe that people actually commit it! However, it happens all the time and it’s something that teachers need to be aware of, especially the signs. Being professional is only going to make the child who may be being abused feel comfortable and cared for. That is especially important because this child may not get this attention at home and that’s tough to deal with on its own.

I also think it’s important to follow the code of ethics because children can get out of hand. They will speak what they want and depending on their background, they may be completely out of control. As a teacher you can’t lash out on them, they are only children. You just need to calmly speak to the child about his/her behavior. This is where punishment comes into play and teachers have to be professional. I don’t believe in corporal punishment and I am so glad that NY State doesn’t allow it as well, but I do believe that students need discipline for doing wrong. When it comes to punishing your students, I believe that teachers need to be able to do it in a professional manor so that the students learn, but, still respect the teacher and understand why he/she is being punished. I think the code of ethics is extremely important for educators to follow and I know that when I do become a teacher I will make sure that I am following the code of ethics and I hope that I will be the best role model I can be for my students.