Task 1
Great moments in education
Sydney Morning Herald 30/10/2003
The teaching profession requires behaviour that is respectable and appropriate.
This article discusses the possible repercussions of the alleged inappropriate
behavior of a teacher performing “…erotic dances with students at
a graduation party.” The female principle may receive a dismissal that
obviously affects her lifestyle, her actions may also affect her students who
may have previously looked up to her as a role model.
All teachers must display a conduct that is acceptable for students to
model their own behaviour on. This article refers to students at a
high school level
who are less impressionable, primary teachers need to be extremely aware
of the impact their actions have on students.
The issue of gender is also to be considered in regards to the teaching behaviours
appropriate. Male and female teachers have different issues to be concerned
with. Males are often viewed harshly in regard to abuse of children as they
are generally
stronger and stereotypically more likely to be involved in child sexual abuse.
Females must consider the clothes they wear and be sure not to wear revealing
or inappropriate clothes for the activities planned.
Teaching is a profession involving more than the key learning areas, it
also involves being one of the main adult figures in developing the
students’ social
skills and adapting to the adult world. One important way the students develop
in these areas is through the observation and application of the older figures
in their lives. The teacher being one of these must conduct him or herself
in a manner that they would wish their students would also conduct.
I believe that it is crucial to understand the ethical questions about teacher
behaviour and every teacher must discover for themselves what they believe
is appropriate and non appropriate behaviour, this must come not just from
their
personal views but should be derived from the law, the teacher responsibilities
introduced for beginning teachers as well as from personnel in a higher role
with more wisdom on the situation.