Cristine Reyes

Chapter 16 Assignment

July 12, 2009

CRN 10061

I searched for and read the California Teachers Association Code of Ethics for this assignment. The code of ethics begins in recognizing every human being’s worth and the importance of truth, excellence, and democratic principles. It goes on to say that protection of the freedom to learn and educational opportunity for everyone is essential to the concepts of truth, excellence and democratic principles. The preamble also stresses the responsibility and dignity that are necessary in the education profession. The code of ethics has two core principles: a commitment to the student, and a commitment to the profession. An educator’s goal should be to enable each student to reach their full potential and nurture each student’s right to free thought and learning without discrimination. It is also to protect students from any harm to their education or health and safety. The commitment to the profession addresses the public trust placed in educators and the quality and professionalism that is expected of every educator. An educator should always act with dignity and respect and never jeopardize the integrity of their colleagues or the education profession.

I think that the California Teachers Association is a very straight-forward and easy to understand Code of Ethics. If I were a teacher, I would definitely agree with the code of ethics, because it stresses the importance and value of learning and the fact that every student deserves an education and the opportunity to reach their full potential. One of the parts in the commitment to the student that I really like is where it states that the educator “shall not reasonably restrain the student from independent action in the pursuit of learning.” I appreciate that the code of ethics recognizes the independence of students in terms of their own ability to further their education. I also agree with the professional conduct that is expected of educators. An educator is in a position where they are able to heavily influence students’ education and life in general. It is important that educators do not abuse this right or use it to their own advantage. The profession of education needs people who will uphold the dignity of the education profession, which is such an important foundation of our society.

I definitely believe that other professionals in this industry would agree with this code. To become an educator requires a great deal of time and even money for schooling and certifications. To pursue a teaching credential takes a high degree of passion for the pursuit of learning. So I believe that anyone who goes through the long and complicated process of becoming an educator would recognize the same important beliefs that are incorporated in the California Teachers Association code of ethics.

A lot of this code of ethics would be applicable to other professions, like not discriminating against anyone and not misrepresenting professional qualifications, but there are many elements that are exclusive to the education profession. The commitment to the student is a big one, because it focuses on students specifically and their rights to learn. Elements like the one that states educators “shall not unreasonably deny the student access to varying points of view,” is very specific to the learning process and would not be applicable in other industries like the medical field, where it is scientific and there is not much room for varying points of view.