Ethical Considerations for Teachers Essay

Ethics and its essential considerations are fundamentals of human nature. Just like in any field of profession, the principles behind ethics are of undeniable significance to the educational setting. This is basically due to the concept that the teachers and the rest of teaching professionals are the ones who influence the thoughts, values and even conducts of the young ones. Such condition creates an enormous responsibility for teachers to ideally shape the future members of the society hence it is expected of them to correctly practice what they teach or preach. Beyond the theories, ethical considerations are of utmost importance in the performance of the teaching profession. It is essential to carry out ethical ideas in manners that are practically acceptable to human attributes. Teachers are required to impart moral principles to their students. However, it will always be the educators’ innate characters and individual behavior which spell the difference in eventually producing respected or morally upright persons. In order to come up with an ideal educational system, therefore, it is vital not to just adhere but also live up to necessary ethical considerations. In an educational setting, members of the learning organization particularly teachers are supposed follow or exercise specific ethical considerations. This is because there is a constant struggle between a teacher’s personal interest and professional commitment. Citing May (1990), this situation was emphasized by Smith (1996) who said that teachers are always susceptible to their respective concern as well as dedication to live up and maintain the dignity of the academic field. In effect, such conflicts have resulted into relevant ethical dilemmas that have inevitable implications to other learning professionals, the students and one’s mandate to the teaching career (Smith, 1996). In order to address, if not resolve the issue, Smith mentioned the suggestions made by May. That is, there is a need to recognize and even reiterate significant ethical considerations which teachers are responsible of. These include the sincere manifestation of respect for any colleague or student as an individual. Truthful communication and encouraging others’ confidence are also the needed ethical considerations. Most importantly, it is fundamental for teachers to help create just and caring cultural and social structures that uphold the benefit of all people within the educational organization (Smith, 1996). To carry out such ethical considerations, teachers are also required to perform several standards of professional communication. It is required for teachers to help their respective organizations to achieve their academic goals. Educators also need to exert additional efforts for the respective professional and individual enhancements of their colleagues and students. The ethical consideration of professional interaction likewise calls for teachers’ kindness as well as comprehensive and reasonable evaluation of functions of students and co-teachers. Lastly, teachers need to perform their roles in manners that support and even exceed the principles of ethical considerations (Smith, 1996). When the said ethical considerations are incorporated on existing educational policies, students will be completely empowered and provided with ideal instructional materials thus preventing teachers from providing documents outside the required curriculum. Students will also be assured of a teacher’s presence resulting to better education. The carrying out of examinations and making of grades will happen in ways beneficial both to teachers and students. In doing all these considerations, the educational setting is sure to exemplify a successful professional condition and effective relationship between teachers and students (Smith, 1996). Similar to any other professions, ethical considerations are of extreme relevance to the educational environment. Therefore, it is empirical to realize the individual behavior of teachers. This is due to the underlying principle that what teachers do and how such activities are performed are sure to ultimately affect all the people within the educational setting. Reference Smith, R. M. (1996). Essential ethical considerations in education. Retrieved February 6, 2009, from http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_qa3673/is_n1_v117/ai_n28677142/pg_4? tag=content;col1