Examining Codes of Ethics

This week for my EC course we examined the NAYEC and DEC codes of ethics.  Many, many ideals.  So many that applied to me - actually as an educator they all apply!  My assignment was to choose at least three ideals that are meaningful to me and how they are significant in my professional life.  Here goes...


Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Code of Ethics
I. Professional Practice 
    Professional & Interpersonal Behavior
        1.  "We shall demonstrate in our behavior and language respect and appreciation for the unique value and 
              human potential of each child".

•   I know that I need to be respectful and appreciate every single one of my students.  I know that.  I also know that each of my students has potential to be anything that they want to be.  With 19 students there is so much potential in my classroom.  Do I always demonstrate that I know this about each one of them?  Even on the bad days?  Even on the days when they drive me crazy (come on, you know it happens to you too!)?  The answer is 'no'.  This is an area that I will probably always need to work on.  I can "know that I know that I know" all I want but demonstrating this to each child is another story.  It needs to be my priority each day.  Even the rainy days, the stressful days, the loud days, the long days, and those last days before any kind of vacation!

DEC Code of Ethics
III.  Responsive Family Centered Practices
     Responsive Family Centered Practices 
         3.  "We shall respect, value, promote, and encourage the active participation of ALL families by engaging
              families in meaningful ways in the assessment and intervention process".

• I think that this ideal is often difficult.  I want the best for my students and I want to believe that their families also want the best for them.  Sometimes I'm not so sure this is the case.  I need to constantly remind myself that not all families are well-educated, especially in the areas of special education and interventions.  Instead of getting frustrated at their response, lack of response, or other comments I need to come up with creative ways to help them understand a student's need for intervention and trust that their ultimate decision will be best.

NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment
Section III Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues
    A - Responsibilities to co-workers 
        I-3A.2 - "To share resources with co-workers, collaborating to ensure that the best possible early childhood 
                    care and education program is provided".

• I love receiving teaching ideas and hints.  I love getting a list of useful resources from someone who found something I didn't know about.  I love to share my ideas with my colleagues.  Well... most of the time.  I need to be more willing to share ideas and resources with my co-workers.  I ran into some problems with a previous co-worker a few years ago - I shared my ideas for awhile and then found that she was just copying my plans for her class and doing everything a day later than me, after observing how I did it.  It irritated me, yes.  I should have brushed it all off.  Who knows, maybe she was out of ideas.  Maybe she wasn't trained well.  Maybe she was insecure.  Maybe she really needed my help and input but was afraid to ask.  Who knows?!