Ethics is an essential part of management in a school or educational setting. Ethics allows for the categorization of such values like integrity and honesty and their application by an educator. They influence behavior and determine how individuals make choices. Consequently, both educators and their leaders must be guided by ethical standards if they are to make quality changes in education.
District Code of ethics
The major topics included in the school district’s code of ethics are the value of dignity of every stakeholder in education, maintaining confidence, complying with disciplinary procedures and obligations. The protection of students and colleagues from harm is also a vital part of the code. It gives the dos and don'ts regarding student's rights for the protection of the young ones. Finally, discrimination features in the district code of ethics for following by teachers.
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To report on cases of unethical behavior, a pretty standard yet straightforward process is involved. One is only required to send a letter or email to the district board. However, in writing to the complaint, the name of the complainant, address and phone number must be included. Also, the institution's name, location, and date are necessary. A full description of the problem is then given and in case of evidence provided (Lawrence, 2019) . Information about whether the board should contact the institution should be provided in the letter.
National Professional Code of Ethics
The AASA code of ethics sets high standards for leaders in education by requiring them to exemplify high professional conduct to guide other members. It requires ensuring the well-being of students, colleagues, and other members of the education team. Honesty and integrity are also expected from an education leader in the implementation of laws and regulations for a better school system. Accountability and commitment to service while honoring the professional code is also vital for the proper running of an educational institution.
The AASA aligns with the expectations from the district code in that emphasis is placed on different principles. For example, both uphold integrity, honesty, protection of rights, and observance of responsibility as vital aspects of education. Also, the duties of the education leaders are similar in both cases requiring a high level of respect for all education stakeholders. However, the AASA code derives principles from the law and expects education leaders to observe the law in their practice. The legal basis of the system differentiates it with district code. Further, the AASA guidelines are mainly meant for leaders in education while the district code applies to all.
One principle of the ASSA code that applies to me is the requirement that the education and well-being of students must be the guiding value that determines the way education leaders go about in decision making. The student is the primary stakeholder of knowledge with his/her needs being held with utmost importance by the entire system. As an individual, I think students make me get a job and hence feel the need to put them first in every decision made. The code of placing the student at the forefront of all decisions made increases my propensity to become a better leader in the education sector.
Personal Ethics
Justice and fairness is an essential ethical behavior of a professional educator as it helps look at all things and people in an objective manner. Another relevant standard that I have is care that includes acceptance and compassion with the needs of students. This principle allows for taking care of students well being. Respect is also a vital ethical behavior as it enables me to gain trust and ensure the wellness of all without undue bias. Forth, I value integrity and looking at things from an objective point of view. Integrity builds focus and commitment in me to enable me to achieve high-quality work standards. Finally, I value consistency and the ability to remain one person at all times, even in pressure as it allows me to carve my niche in the workplace.
Ethics, resource management, and accountability always find themselves interlinked. While working in a public school with limited resources, I found myself at a fix when students needed funds at the same time. For example, three students would need one book from the library to finish the homework given by a teacher. As the administrator and one in-charge of resource sharing, the values of integrity and responsibilities required that I ensure equitable share of the resource. However, it would not be fair if I allowed one student to carry the book hence complete the assignment alone. To be accountable, I approached the teacher and asked for an extension of the assignment deadline so that each student would have a day to finish it.
Having a personal moral compass is key to the success of a professional educator. At work, and even in ordinary life, one must face a series of challenges that may distract them from achieving their goals ( Bramer, 2010) . A moral compass guides the individual through all these challenges to allow them to reach their goals. As a teacher, a moral compass reminds me of the responsibilities I have towards different stakeholders and how they affect me and the way I perform my duties. Consequently, a moral compass allows a professional educator and a school leader to remain consistent with their purpose despite pressure from challenges.
An individual in charge of resources is not only responsible for sharing them but also ensuring that the distribution is fair. Resource management includes human-related issues, including development and compensation that also affect the health and safety of the subject ( ASANTE, 2015) . Consequently, it is necessary to understand important ethical principles that will guide one to establish a link between objective determination and personal human relations issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ethics are vital influencers of behavior that determine choices made by individuals. Education leaders must be guided by district, national, and personal ethical principles to allocate resources and relate with colleagues effectively. Further, these three sets of ethical standards need to run in tandem for the success of the education leader.
References
ASANTE, K. (2015). The UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES EDUCATION.
Bramer, M. (2010). The Importance of Personal Relationships in Kantian Moral Theory: A Reply to Care Ethics. Hypatia , 25 (1), 121-139.
Lawrence, J. (2019). The argument for Action: Ethics and Professional Conduct: Ethics and Professional Conduct . Routledge.
