Dear editor,

Education is an honorable profession.

Most high school pupils choose a profession when they are administered a career survey. Most college graduates desire to achieve professional status, also. A profession requires years of advanced training in specific areas. Professions are governed by a code of ethics. The American educator has a moral obligation to abide by the ethical standards of his or her profession.

Recent public attacks by school administrators toward fellow school administrators raise alarming concerns. The professional school administrator constantly upholds the honor and dignity of the profession in his or her actions and relations with students, colleagues, school board members, and the public.

According to the American Association of School Administrators, the professional school administrator:

• Is impartial in the execution of school policies and the enforcement of rules and regulations.  It is a breach of ethics to give preferential consideration to any individual or group because of their special status or position in the school system or community.
• Recognizes and respects fully the worth and dignity of each individual in all administrative procedures and leadership actions.
• Demonstrates professional courtesy and ethical behavior by informing a colleague in another system of his or her intention to consider for employment personnel from that system.
• 4 Is alert to safeguard the public and his or her profession from those who might degrade public education or school administration.
• Seeks no self-aggrandizement.
• Refrains from making unwarranted claims, from inappropriate advertising, and from misinterpreting facts about his or her school system to further his or her own professional status.
• Never makes derogatory statements about a colleague or a school system unless he or she is compelled to state his or her opinion under oath or in official relationships where his or her professional opinion is required.
• Will not withhold evidence or knowingly shield law breakers.
• Has a right and in many instances an obligation to express his or her opinion about the wisdom or justice of a given law.   An opinion questioning a law, however, does not justify failure to fulfill the requirements of that law.
• Has an obligation to support publicly the school board and the instructional staff if either is unjustly accused.  He or she should not permit himself or herself to become involved publicly in personal criticism of board or staff members.   He or she should be at liberty, however, to discuss differences of opinion on professional matters.
• Does not apply for or accept a position where a competent special professional investigating committee endorsed by the association has declared working conditions unsatisfactory until such time as appropriate corrections in the situation have been made
• Resists all attempts to exclude from consideration as teaching personnel members of any particular race or creed.
• He or she also resists pressures to employ teachers on the basis of the political, martial, or economic status of the applicant.  The ability and fitness of the candidates for teaching positions are the sole criteria for selection.
• Has a commitment to his or her position of public trust to resist unethical demands by special interest or pressure groups.  He or she refuses to allow strong and unscrupulous individuals to seize or exercise powers and responsibilities which are properly his or her own.

There is solidarity among good school leaders. The school administrator does not compromise his or her personal values for selfish reasons. An individual does not attempt to build himself or herself up by tearing another person down.

 

Gerald Shirley

Selma