The Code of Ethics are important because they serve as a guide to help teachers remain professional, do the right thing and grow as better teachers. The three Code of Ethics I choose are:
NAEYC
Ethical responsibilites to children
Ideal: I.19
"To advocate for and ensure that all children, including those with special needs, have access to support services needed to be successful."
-- I chose this ideal because special education is my passion. These children need advocacy as much as any other but sometimes are forgotten because they truely cannot advocate for themselves. Throughout this course I have learned how important advocating is for students and families and I want to keep this in the forefront on my mind as I continue down my academic and professional paths.
Ethical Responsibilites to Families
Ideal: I.2.2
"To develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with families we serve."
-- I chose this ideal because last year I encountered a VERY difficult parent. It seemed no matter how hard I tried to build a relationship of trust with her it always went downhill. I saw the difference between families who collaborated with the school and teachers and those who didn't and I saw a HUGE difference with the families who worked with the school. My goal is always to build this relationship with families and parents and having the opportunity to work with a difficult parent made me realize that importance even more but also made me grow as a teacher.
DEC
Professional Collaboration
#2
" We shall honor and respect the rights, knowledge and skills of the multidisciplinary colleagues with whom we work recognizing their unique contributions to children, families and the field of Early Childhood Special Education."
-- I chose this ideal because I work in a school where there are 4 center based classrooms. These classrooms are for self-contained special education students who cannot be in general education without a lot of support if at all. I work with an AMAZING staff who have listened to my strategies and suggestions when dealing with any classroom behaviors. I realize the importance of respecting all professionals and where their strengths are. I am a true believer that "two heads are better than one" and I believe this ideal sums that up well.
References:
NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf
The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.dec-sped.org/
In your comment regarding Ethical Responsibilites to Families, Ideal: I.2.2, were you ever able to build a relationship with this difficult family? If so what were the steps you took as a teacher to make it happen?
ReplyDeleteI also agree with your statement about two heads are better than one. It is always eye opening to me to hear another professionals view point and the ability to collaborate together for the success of children.
Amber, The new Head Start framework involves engaging parents in the education of their child. At our center, wiith the help of my colleagues, we collaborate monthly on ways to engage families to participate in the education of their children.
ReplyDeleteI truly agree with you about listening to your staff and also being a source of inspiration for them. I think it is easy to get caught up in my way or the highway situation where you believe you know the best teaching style. It is very important to listen to your partners (co-workers, parents, directors, students, etc) and learn from them. I think as teachers we are so used to teaching something to someone all the time that we forget that we also have support systems that can teach us.
ReplyDeleteErika,
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I am not sure if I built a relationship with them. By the end of the school year she commented to my special education director that she was very impressed with me and never doubted my skills, however, she gave a very different impression to me! It was a hard situation to read.
The steps I took to try and bridge a relationship were to have an open door policy. She was welcome anytime as long as she followed the school guidelines for visiting. I always asked if she had any comments, questions or concerns and encouraged her to call or email me if she did. I kept her informed of her daughters progress and completed anything extra she needed.
Some parents are very hard to read. They may be in a hurry or are just very shy! I also experienced a parent who was just super shy and always walked down the hallway looking at the floor. I always asked her how she was doing and greeted her whenever I saw her, and i told her funny stories when I could...by the end of my second year there, she would seek me out to ask about other coworkers that said nothing to her. They never greeted her or aknowledged her standing there. I think it is important that we never give up!
ReplyDeleteAmber,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your postings. I agree with all of them and I too have had to deal with some difficult parents through the years. It is frustrating at times, but then I try and remember that I am doing this for the children and I want to help them in any way that I can. I think I am a pretty easy person to get along with and so I try to meet the people where they are and deal with them in the most civil and professional way possible. I also agree with you that we should work with and learn from all of those around us. It makes for a much better work environment when people can share ideas and help each other be the best that they can be. I work with these kind of people and it is amazing and it makes me love my job even more. Thanks again for your comments!
Being an advocate for all children is very important, however I can agree that children with special needs are sometimes overlooked. They need people to advocate for them and those advocating should understand the abilities and the disabilities of these individuals so that they can receive the service needed to help them to be successful.
ReplyDeleteA Note of Thanks and Support
ReplyDeleteDear Amber,
Thank you for a wonderful blog, I have always enjoyed commenting on your posts, you provided great reflections and heartwarming experiences. Your passion about children with special needs was visible throughout your posts and an inspiration to me. I wish you the best of luck with both your Master’s degree and your personal life.