NAEYC Statement of Commitment

As an individual who works with young children, I, Anna R. Merrill, commit myself to
furthering the values of early childhood education as they are reflected in the ideals and
principles of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. To the best of my ability I will:
- Never harm children
- Ensure that programs for young children are based on current knowledge and
research of child development and early childhood education
- Respect and support families in their task of nurturing children
- Respect colleagues in early childhood care and education and support them in
maintaining the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
- Serve as an advocate for children, their families, and their teachers in
community and society
- Stay informed of and maintain high standards of professional conduct
- Engage in an ongoing process of self-reflection, realizing that personal
characteristics, biases, and beliefs have an impact on children and families
- Be open to new ideas and be willing to learn from the suggestions of others
- Continue to learn, grow, and contribute as a professional
- Honor the ideals and principles of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct

Ethical Responsibilities to Children

I-1.3—To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each

child.

Every child who enters my room know that they are loved and respected, no

matter what their abilities are. I​ t may be an age - old saying, but each child is precious.

I once found a wonderful poem in a newspaper called, “Heaven’s Very Special Child”,

which has the verse: “​They will not realize right away the leading role they're asked to

play, but with this child sent from above comes stronger faith and richer love.”

My students will all have a connection with me.

P-1.1—Above all, we shall not harm children. We shall not participate in practices that

are emotionally damaging, physically harmful, disrespectful, degrading, dangerous,

exploitative, or intimidating to children. This principle has precedence over all others in

this Code.

I am a guardian of childhood. I will put a young in one in harm’s way. It is my

life’s work to create a space free of hate and negativity so that my students can

flourish. Making connections to each child has helped to combat anger and fear in the

classroom and has instead left feelings of love and security. Every playful hug, “I Love

You” ritual, and smile gives even the most shy child a sense of belonging. I’ve watched

many go from withdrawn to open all because of being in warm and inviting

environment.

Preschool - age kids who dislike school generally do because of feelings of

anxiety due to something going on in the room. Teachers who are disrespectful,

degrading, intimidating, or emotionally/physically damaging to children will cultivate

fear. Fear will cause them to be unwilling to participate in their daily activities. I have

heard of people like this who have grabbed children’s arm’s or hit them. These people

aren’t educators. Educators are guardians of childhood. I’m an educator.

Ethical Responsibilities to Families

Describe specific examples of how you implement the ideals and principles for this

section of the Code of Conduct

I-2.2—To develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with the families

we serve.

Parents are a child’s first teacher, and when respected, teachers can begin to

build flourishing relationships. I want families to feel that their thoughts and opinions

matter, and to know that their child isn’t just number. My door is always be open, and I

will keep parents up-to-date on their child, our classroom doings, and any changes in

the school.

P-2.2—We shall inform families of program philosophy, policies, curriculum, assessment

system, and personnel qualifications, and explain why we teach as we do—which

should be in accordance with our ethical responsibilities to children (see Section I)

That being said, parents will also understand that everything do is meant to be

developmentally appropriate and ethical for their offspring. I am a teacher who teaches

in an emergent- play-based manner, so I won’t be able to serve those who are looking

for a more academic schooling.

Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues

Describe specific examples of how you implement the ideals and principles for this

section of the Code of Conduct

Responsibilities to co-workers

Describe specific examples of how you implement the ideals and principles for this

section of the Code of Conduct

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’m lucky. I know what it’s like to have team that collaborates well, with minimal

issues. Classrooms who can’t function are generally that way due to problems among

the teachers. Sadly, I’ve seen rooms where they despise each other and it shows

through the children. They’re exposed to high stress, so they may start to act out

through tantrums and unruly energy. Kids are supposed to run around and play, but it

can get to the point of their caregivers completely losing control of space if they and

their coworkers don’t get along. For the past two years, I’ve been in a positive situation

where the lead, the other co-teacher, and I have been establishing relationships with

each other. Our students have come into our room they feel at ease and secure

because we are at ease and secure within our group.

P-3A.2—When we have concerns about the professional behavior of a co-worker, we

shall first let that person know of our concern in a way that shows respect for personal

dignity and for the diversity to be found among staff members, and then attempt to

resolve the matter collegially and in a confidential manner.

For the third time, I am a guardian of childhood. I have been trained to ask a

fellow teacher if they need help when in a tricky/emotional situation with a child before

something bad happens. I never want to see a little one get hurt or have a co-worker

be fired, so the only way I can prevent it is to step-in. Usually a simple, “Are you okay?”

or a thumbs-up to ask the same question will suffice and they may say, “I’m okay,”, or

“Please take over”, at which I tap-in and they tap-out.

Professionalism what I will always use whenever needing a change in the

classroom. If I ever have a small problem with a coworker, I would talk to them about

it. Notice, I didn’t write “confront”. I want others to feel respected and like they are

heard when discussing the issue. Taking responsibility has also helped me because

that’s usually half the battle.

Responsibilities to employers

Describe specific examples of how you implement the ideals and principles for this

section of the Code of Conduct

I-3B.1—To assist the program in providing the highest quality of service.

Giving high-quality comes from knowing how to do high quality service. It is my

responsibility to my employer that I do two things to achieve what they need me to. For

one, I have stayed up on the latest teaching techniques, and am willing to change how

I teach for the betterment of children. Secondly, I have learned to take criticism in

stride and to learn from the experiences. Over time, I have evolved into the educator

that I am now, because I have strived to be the best that I can, which benefits my

workplace. The stronger of a teacher that I am, the more children we will receive.

Parents love knowing that they have left their most loved ones in a place that merits

their successful growth.

P-3B.4—If we have concerns about a colleague’s behavior, and children’s well-being is

not at risk, we may address the concern with that individual. If children are at risk or

the situation does not improve after it has been brought to the colleague’s attention, we

shall report the colleague’s unethical or incompetent behavior to an appropriate

authority.

Everything I do is for the protection and safety of young children, even if that

means I need to address the behavior of my colleague’s towards the students. No child

shall harmed by a member of the workplace. If their attitudes or issues are miniscule,
such as making a mistake on the daily schedule, then I can talk to them. Unfortunately

there have been issues where the children’s safety has been at risk, like being left

unattended, and the teachers were reported to upper management. If the dilemma

continues, administration will determine if the employees need to be terminated or not.

Responsibilities to employees

Describe specific examples of how you implement the ideals and principles for this

section of the Code of Conduct

I-3C.2—To create and maintain a climate of trust and candor that will enable staff to

speak and act in the best interests of children, families, and the field of early childhood

care and education.

Everyone loves to work in a positive working environment that promotes

confidence and best practices. The job of the employer is to ensure that everyone,

teachers, parents, administration, and students alike, feel a sense of trust and kindness

upon walking in. Parents need to know that their children are in safe, knowledgeable

arms that understand how sometimes teachers see more of their kids than they do, and

will act with love towards them. Teachers also need to feel that they can explain

child-specific issues with said parents if there is a behavior, etc., that needs attention.
P-3C.2—We shall provide staff members with safe and supportive working conditions

that honor confidences and permit them to carry out their responsibilities through fair

performance evaluation, written grievance procedures, constructive feedback, and

opportunities for continuing professional development and advancement.

I want to work in a space that supports my journey to self-betterment, simply

because it is what would be best for my students. If I am in an environment where I

am supported and and given feedback, then I can turn around and show the kids the

same kind of care.

Ethical Responsibilities to Community and Society

Describe specific examples of how you implement the ideals and principles for this

section of the Code of Conduct

Individual

Describe specific examples of how you implement the ideals and principles for this

section of the Code of Conduct

1-4.1—To provide the community with high-quality early childhood care and education

programs and services

 I want my community to succeed, which can start by building a better foundation

through being the best teacher that I can be. I will always be looking for ways, such as

courses, workshops, taking in criticism, gaining certifications, getting higher education,

to make sure that my students receive nothing but the finest teachings available, no

matter what. The type of community irrelevant; all children need to learn and it

shouldn’t change.

P-4.7—When we become aware of a practice or situation that endangers the health,

safety, or well-being of children, we have an ethical responsibility to protect children or

inform parents and/or others who can.

The title of a mandated reporter is that I have the obligation to report anyone

who endangers the well-being of a child. If kids are being hurt by their family, family -

friend, or teacher, I have to keep their safety at the forefront. Luckily, both times where

I’ve had to take note of what a child was saying, they’ve amounted to nothing. The first

time I noticed a child had several small bruises on her back and she told me that her

mom hit her with a mop and she fell onto some trains on the floor. Turns out her mom

was mopping, when the child slipped and fell. If it were ever to be abuse I would have

given my notes I would needed to take the proper steps in giving the child security.

Collective
Describe specific examples of how you implement the ideals and principles for this

section of the Code of Conduct

I-4.3—To work through education, research, and advocacy toward an environmentally

safe world in which all children receive health care, food, and shelter; are nurtured; and

live free from violence in their home and their communities.

There is a saying that I have learned on the job: “All who enter are loved.”

Through this love, children will receive Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Consistent food

and shelter, and safety are at the very bottom, which is where healthcare can be

classified. Up next is the gaining of connections between teachers and children, as well

as children to children. They need to feel nurtured and cared about in order to go on to

the final level: achieving their full potential.

P-4.13—When a child protection agency fails to provide adequate protection for abused

or neglected children, we acknowledge a collective ethical responsibility to work toward

the improvement of these services.

A preschool’s job is to not only teach the kids, but to also keep them safe.

Teacher’s aren’t the only mandated reporters, the school itself is as well, and can have

a run-in with the law if they don’t. It is my job bring peace to every child’s life and if my

employer does not, then I am required to report them to the proper authorities as well.
Signed: A
​ nna Merrill