TPE 12: Professional, Legal, and Ethical Obligations
_Teachers are so central to a community of peers, parents and students,
it is essential that they behave thoughtfully and ethically. This is
essential to create a trusting community but also to model responsible
behavior. Not long ago I was faced with an ethical dilemma with legal
ramifications. A parent of one of my students gave me a thank you card
with one hundred dollars. I thought through the possible meanings before
I decided to accept the money. Firstly, it could be a bribe. I
dismissed this possibility because I'm a student teacher and I don't
have the final say on grades. My school also doesn't have grades--the teachers write progress reports--and
nothing is to be gained by falsifying a progress report. The money
could be an incentive to favor his son in class. This was still a remote
possibility, but even if I accepted the money, I would not favor his
son. It's not in my nature to do so. Secondly, I am female and the
parent is male. I judged from our platonic rapport in class that this
gift was not sexually motivated. Thirdly, I was unsure of my legal
responsibilities in a case like this. I spoke with the school's
principal, a sensible man acquainted with school legality. He said that
for gifts, one is to fill out paperwork promising that the gift won't
influence your behavior. I asked my co-workers their opinion and they
said that teachers often receive small cash gifts, especially before
winter break. They suggested that I say, "thank you" and accept the
gift. Fourthly, I pondered the consequences of rejecting the gift.
Exchanging gifts cements and balances relationships. Returning the gift
might damage our relationship. For him, giving me money for my work in
the classroom showed his appreciation and made us both 'givers'.
Ultimately I did accept the gift. If I was the teacher of record, I
would consider asking him to buy something for the classroom rather than
giving me the money directly. While I now have a plan in case this ever
happens again, I realize that this is probably a one time event and I'm basking in this moment of appreciation.
|