Assignment #2: Analysis of Ethical Dilemmas

Gema Bofill
Rationale: Problem-solving is one of the most important skills that a teacher can
develop. Teachers face many ethical situations that require quick decisions. Teachers
need to consider how to avoid potential ethical violations while still supporting the needs
of students.

Scenario # 1
Advice: One of your students shows up alone at your home and wants to discuss a
school situation. The student claims that a gang is bullying him and he cannot tell
anyone at school, or he will be attacked. He has several bruises. That is why he came
to your house. What do you do?
Identify the specific article(s) of the CoE or the PPC that are implicated
Obligation to the student requires that the individual
(a) Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to
learning and/or to the student’s mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of
professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required
by law.
As teachers, we are mandatory reporters, and if the safety of the student is at stake,
then we are obliged to act. I would contact immediately the principal to inform him/her
about the situation so he/she can take immediate action and the police to report that a
minor has been attacked. I wouldn’t allow the student to leave until a solution is found
and the authorities have taken action. Failing to report a situation that attempts against
the safety of a student may have as a consequence immediate termination and jail time.

Scenario #2
The Press: Your principal is running for superintendent and a local reporter asks your
opinion of the principal. (Assume two different scenarios here. In the first, you think the
principal is excellent; in the second, you think the principal is incompetent.) What do you
publicly say?

Identify the specific article(s) of the CoE or the PPC that are implicated
Obligation to the public requires that the individual:
(a) Shall take reasonable precautions to distinguish between personal views and those
of any educational institution or organization with which the individual is affiliated.
(b) Shall not intentionally distort or misrepresent facts concerning an educational matter
in direct or indirect public expression.

As teachers, we have obligations to the public that prevents us from expressing our
opinion about anything related to the institution as a public statement to the media.
There are designated spokespersons to deal with the media. I would politely abstain
from commenting about my principal on any media, regardless of my opinion about
his/her competency. A teacher who expresses his/her personal opinion about an
administrator to the press (or any media) could be sue for defamation.

Scenario #3
Rights: One of your students is openly gay and shares that with you. This conflicts with
your own religious beliefs and makes you uncomfortable. The student wants to talk to
you because s/he is having trouble "fitting in." S/he is crying. What do you do?
Identify the specific article(s) of the CoE or the PPC that are implicated
Obligation to the student requires that the individual:
(a) Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to
learning and/or to the student’s mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
(g) Shall not harass or discriminate against any student based on race, color, religion,
sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping
condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make
reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or
discrimination.
As teachers, we cannot discriminate or deny support to any student based on his/her
sexual orientation and we need to take action to guarantee the mental health of such
students. I would listen to his/her situation and then personally take the student to talk
with the counselor who is better prepared to deal with these issues. I would also keep a
record of the situation and the steps taken to solve it. Failure to take action in this
situation where a student feels psychologically affected (and may act against his/her
life) could lead to revocation or suspension of the professional certificate and civil
charges for neglecting a student in a potentially harmful situation.

Scenario #4
Supervisor Interactions: Your school has an assistant principal who constantly makes
"adult comments," dresses provocatively, and occasionally winks or waves at you. This
makes you feel uncomfortable, but nobody else seems to mind. You report to this
assistant principal who writes your annual review and who gives permission for several
educational requests. Do you say something to her? Do you report this to the principal?
Ignore this behavior? Or file a complaint?

Identify the specific article(s) of the CoE or the PPC that are implicated
Obligation to the profession: (d) Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory
conduct with unreasonably interferes with an individual’s performance of professional or
work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education or which creates a
hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or the oppressive environment; and further,
shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such
harassment or discrimination.
In this scenario, I would report to the principal the situation. This can be interpreted as
harassment and the principal, as the acting supervisor for both of us (teacher and
assistant principal) should be informed so he/she can take appropriate action. As a
teacher, I should document, if possible, these undesired episodes to provide the
principal with proof. I wouldn’t confront alone the assistant principal since this
confrontation may have a negative effect.
This assistant principal could be charged with sexual harassment and separated from
his/her position.