Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Why does society hold teachers to higher standards of moral and ethical behavior?
Society holds teachers to higher standers of moral and ethical behavior because we are the people responsible for the next generation. As a teacher (or SLP) we will be role models for the children in our classrooms. As a role model we need to teach our students right from wrong. We will teach our student our morals and values by demonstrating them. They are apart of the invisible curriculum and they will be visible for all our students to see through our actions and reaction to situations. Students will learn from us how to or how not to act in similar situations. It is important that we as teacher show our students how to respond in a way that is appropriate. In today’s society children are getting mixed messages as to what is right and what is wrong. The media and many of the “stars” that children look up to are not holding themselves acting in a way that is moral or ethical. For example there is a lack of right holding oneself accountable. An example of this could be Paris Hilton going to jail. She blamed everyone else but herself. It was everyone else’s fault that she was going to jail even thought the reason she went to jail is because of her own decision to drink and drive. She knew that drinking and driving was wrong and against the law, yet she made the simple decision to do the wrong thing and drive anyways. Children see this example and think that it is okay to do what is wrong and blame everyone else but themselves. We as teacher need to show and teach through example the morals and values such as right from wrong. If the children in our classrooms see us acting in a manner that is not moral or ethical, they will learn these faulty morals or ethical behaviors. If the children learn the faulty morals and ethics our society will be constructed of individuals may not even understand the difference of right from wrong.
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2 comments:
I agree with everything you have said on why society holds teachers to higher standards of moral and ethical behavior. However, I have a very difficult time with this topic. As I wrote on Kyle's blog, I feel that although society should hold teachers to higher standards of moral and ethical behavior, there is a fine line where teachers are no longer allowed to be human. In the classroom teachers should demonstrate high moral and ethical behavior, as you said Molly. I especially agree with your comment about Paris Hilton. She explicitly broke the law, and should have been punished. However, outside of the classroom is a difficult arena. I feel teachers may be viewed as inadequate or inappropriate if they are doing "normal" behavior for adults, such as drinking or smoking. These are not illegal if done in moderation (for alcohol). I just wonder, where do we draw the line?
You make a good point about high moral & ethical standards. Everything you have said it right on. I particularly agree with you and am glad you brought it up about Paris Hilton. When issues like this come up and students see how people pass the blame, they think that it is ok to do this. As educators we need to show them that it is right to accept the responsibility for what you do. But we also need to show them that their actions have consequences and that they need to be wary of their actions.
We are the molders of the future society and as teachers we have a responsibility to teaching our students to be the best they can be and the difference between what is right and what is wrong.
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