Private Lives of Teachers (Hooker, 1994)
Jan 03, 2016
(Hooker, 1994)
Key Concepts
• Moral Ambiguity
• Education Codes
• Examples of Immoral Behavior
• Community Standards
• Teacher Rights
(Hooker, 1994)
Moral Ambiguity—Definition
• According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary ‘moral’ is defined as “concerning or relating to what is right and wrong in human behavior.”
(Hooker, 1994)
Moral Ambiguity—Something to Ponder
• Does the dictionary definition of moral do justice to what you believe about the word?
• How do we determine what is right or wrong in human behavior?
• As a teacher, how does this broad definition affect your job?
(Hooker, 1994)
Education Codes—Texas Administrative Code
• Standard 1.10 of the Professional Ethical Conduct, Practices and Performance section states: “The educator shall be of good moral character and be worthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state.”
19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2 (J)
(Hooker, 1994)
Education Codes—Bottom Line
• Teachers are expected to be role models to students
• Teachers are in a position where they have the ability to influence the lives of students
• The behaviors of teachers impact students
• Teachers have a responsibility in shaping the lives of students and there is a high standard that teachers must act in good moral
(Hooker, 1994)
Examples of Immoral Behavior
• Sexual misconduct
• Dishonesty
• Critical and derogatory statements about the employer
• Sexual “Immorality”
• Abuse of Sick leave
• Theft
• Drug Use
(Hooker, 1994)
Community Standards
• Be an exemplar or role model
• Stay out of the spotlight
• Maintain confidentiality
• Do not have a criminal record
• Maintain a criminal free lifestyle
• Have a clean “past” life
(Hooker, 1994)
Teacher Rights
• Teachers have the same rights as any other citizen
• It is the “perceived idea” of the profession, however, that “dictates” the rights of the teacher
• Teachers have to remember that when in the profession, there is a fine line that cannot be crossed in regards to exercising ones individual rights
(Hooker, 1994)
References
• Hooker, C. P. (1994, November). Terminating teachers and revoking their licensure for conduct beyond the schoolhouse
gate. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Organization on Legal Problems in Education,
San Diego, CA.
• Morality. 2014. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morality