Ethics & Boundaries In the School Setting

You are in a position of power and with that comes great responsibility

Do the choices you are making reflect how you see yourself and how others view you? As we go through this presentation evaluate how you think your behaviors and values might impact your work place values.

Take a minute to think about what you value as a school employee. List five things that are the most important/or that you value the most in your role as a school employee.

What are the perceptions I want students, families, administration, all district employees, and the community to have of me? Do the choices I make impact this in a positive or negative way?

Small School Small Community = Multiple Roles Teacher, Neighbor, Coach, Friend Family…………..

No one starts out thinking they are going to cross boundaries. The most common reason for crossing the line of professional boundaries is: *Insufficient clarity about our roles

Discuss 3 scenarios that would cross a boundary and be in conflict with your 5 values.

 Ms. Parker, a teacher, came home from chaperoning a 3-day class trip and felt very positive about how the event had gone. She decided to make a positive post on FACEBOOK about how well the trip had gone. She is friends with several of her student’s parents on Facebook.  Several parents responded with positive comments and asked specifically how their child had done on the trip. The teacher responded in a positive manner.  One mom responded on Facebook that her child did not enjoy the trip, that it was boring and that there were kids on the trip causing trouble and named them. The teacher tried to explain that there were some incidents but did not go into detail. The mom continued to make negative comments about the trip directed to the teacher on Facebook. Several other parents entered the discussion.

Thoughts before you brainstorm: Crossing a boundary involves a behavior that meets your needs and not the students/colleagues/community. It results in your gain. What might these be…………………………. This is unethical. Someone could be harmed emotionally or physically. Some boundary violations are crimes. What might these be…………………….

Activities that take you beyond the expectations of your role could easily qualify as professional boundary violations. These may include:  Becoming too personally involved with students – friend, confidant, surrogate parent. Students have parents, they are not “your kids.”  Serving as a confidant with regard to a student’s decision about his/her personal issues. Your pupil services team will coordinate this. Do not get seduced into feeling special.  Hugging or touching students.  Driving individual students to or from school.  Giving a student(s) undue attention.

 Confidentiality - sharing personal information about a student with a third party or another parent.  Inviting a student to your home or an overnight at your house.  Exchanging notes, texts, s, or letters that are personal in nature. Having students as your friends on Facebook. If I am your adult friend on Facebook I don’t want students knowing my business. Hugging or touching students. Is there a need to be touching students? If not don’t do it.

 Sharing your personal problems with students.  Seeing students in private or non-school settings.  Flirting with students or making comments about their appearance or clothing.  Confusing being friendly with being a friend.  What others can your think of?

Poor Boundaries result in: Students may not feel valued. Inconsistency may be present resulting in more discipline issues. Poor staff and student morale. Staff may begin to split as those with poor boundaries may be viewed as the more desirable staff. Disengagement from learning. Poor community image. Upset parents.

 Staff and students are vulnerable to harm.  Confused expectations.  Loss of power in your classroom or work area. Do not allow students to answer your phone, sit at your desk and just hang out in your classroom.

Learning about the law and your liability as a staff member. Have doors open or windows uncovered. Complimenting students without hugging them or touching them. (Define what kind of touch is appropriate for the age level you are involved with) Report any any reasonable suspicion of child abuse to the identified authorities

Have another adult present when attending to the personal needs of students. Getting parent’s and principals’ approval regarding all activities off school property. Letting students know when they are overstepping your personal boundaries. Seek input from colleagues or other professionals if unsure of the appropriateness of your plans or actions. Know your school district’s policies regarding your job.

 The tone we use with each other.  The attitude and approach co-workers use with each other.  The ability to focus on work; even with people you don’t like or have conflicts with.  The ability to set limits with others who have poor boundaries.  Defining consequences when a boundary is violated and sticking with it.