Ethics Advocacy Plan for Social

Ethics Advocacy Plan for Social Change AREA OF INTEREST -- DOMESTIC ABUSE Living the MS Educator Code of Ethics and Standards of Conducts Although teachers may be the first 'face' students and parents encounter when dealing with educational staff members, it is equally essential that educational administrators uphold high standards of ethics in their own behavior. Their attitudes set the tone for the teachers, who then in turn convey a sense of commitment, dedication, and concern to the public.

This means that administrators must serve as role models and set the tone in their behavior, and act with fairness and dignity at all times.

School leaders have a responsibly to students and to teachers: "since school leaders and administrators often have the authority to employ, encourage, foster, censure, discipline, and terminate the employment of others, leaders and administrators are people that hold a position of power...the most effective way to fulfill this responsibility is to promote the growth and development of employees, which will enable them to improve their performance and thus will enrich the quality of the service they provide" (Fowler, 2010, citing Rebore 2000: 55). Administrators set the tone for the school's culture.

Is it autocratic in nature? Or does it foster a system of participative leadership, in which all members feel they have a personal investment in its success? For a school to succeed it cannot simply be 'just a job' to teachers and administrators alike, rather it must be viewed as a vocation. These themes of mutuality and respect must inform all relationships within an educational environment.

If an administrator abuses his or her power, such as by making unfair demands of teachers or acting in an autocratic manner, the morale of the school as a whole will suffer. Conversely, if his or her demands are reasonable and he or she makes decisions with input from staff (not necessarily in a democratic fashion, but at least in a participatory manner), staff members are more likely to be 'on board' with any proposed changes.

Of course, during any tenure of leadership, ethical issues will arise regarding personal conflicts between students and teachers. Some ethical issues which may arise may concern the need to police harassment, which can take place between students and also between teachers and other members of the staff. Mediation is usually the first step in dealing with any complaints, but there must also be a clearly-articulated policy by the school to reduce the chances of such complaints arising in the first place.

Regardless, policy must be clearly articulated in writing and the rights and confidentiality of staff members must be respected during any disputes that occur. The hierarchical nature of a school's leadership means that it is very easy to 'pass the blame' when things go wrong. Administrators must take responsibility for areas which the school is working on, and create a plan for success. Goal-setting should be both for the short and the long-term. Goals must be refined and rendered more realistic, based upon.