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Maintain a professional barrier between you and the students. You are the adult, the teacher, and the professional; act like the expert, not like another one of the "kids." |
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Keep the classroom door open when talking with students. |
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Refer students to the appropriate resource person for counseling and/or discussions about personal matters. |
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DO NOT flirt with students. |
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DO NOT discuss your personal life or personal matters with students. DO NOT discuss your husband, wife, boyfriend, or dates with students. |
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When transporting students, coordinate transportation ahead of time, and use school or mass transportation if possible. If necessary, call a taxi for the student. If you must transport a student in your vehicle, ask a co-worker to accompany you.
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Avoid leaving your students unsupervised; have an alternate plan of action. |
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Keep your hands and other parts of your body to yourself. |
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Use verbal praise and reinforcement. |
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Know your school policies and District and State laws governing corporal punishment. Establish and follow a consistent behavior plan. Treat each student with respect. Know the student's rights. |
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Chaperone only school-sponsored functions. DO NOT socialize with students. If you chaperone a field trip, put in writing what your responsibilities will be. DO NOT drink alcoholic beverages in front of students. DO NOT take children home with you. |
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Do NOT make telephone calls or write notes of a personal nature to students. |
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DO NOT harass students; respect their differences. What you intend as humor may, in fact, be cultural bias or harassment. |
B. Record Keeping and Accounting Procedure |
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Know the laws, School Board policies, and school rules, and follow them. Know your rights. |
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Know your school policies and District and State laws regarding collecting money, purchasing materials and equipment, and follow them. |
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Establish a policy regarding your grading system consistent with school and District policies, where applicable. Give a written explanation of it to students and parents at the beginning of the year or when they begin your class or unit of instruction. |
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Establish a policy regarding your behavioral management system. Give a written explanation of it to students and parents at the beginning of the year or when they begin your class unit of instruction. |
C. Reputation in the Community |
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Keep your co-workers and supervisors informed; work and communicate as a team; plan and teach together. |
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Communicate with parents and document your communication. |
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Dress and act appropriately and professionally. You are a role model in the community as well as in the school; be a good example for students. |
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Use common sense and good judgment. Ask yourself how someone else could perceive your comments or actions. Ask yourself if your comments or actions could be taken out of context and/or misinterpreted. |
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Avoid putting yourself in a position where you have to defend, explain, or justify your behavior or actions. Avoid putting yourself in a position where it is your word against another person's word. |
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Maintain a professional reputation in the community. Even when you are off the job, be discreet. |
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Source: Florida Education Practice Commission
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