 Professional Decision Making Model EDTE 519 Ashley Armstrong Section 2

Inner Landscape  Professional Inner Landscape: I believe that my professional “Inner Landscape” has been shaped by my previous experience working in my community as well as past practicum experiences. I have spent years coaching and running sailing programs, working for community living, tutoring a homeschooled student and running Arts Alive programs. These experiences have given me some great insight into how to handle difficult situations positively and professionally. I have learned about the importance of handling situations with confidentiality, respect and positivity. When making decisions it is important to draw on past experiences, values and morals in order to reach an appropriate decision. It is also important to realize that every situation is different and there are many aspects that will affect your decision making process each time you are faced with a new dilemma. The most important thing that I have learned from my background experience is to always put the child first. It is easy sometimes to get wrapped up in the approaches and principles of decision making but if you remember that children are at the center of the decision making process it will aid in coming to a positive and effective solution that is best for all those involved.

Inner Landscape  Personal Inner Landscape I have grown up in a family that has instilled strong values and morals upon my brother and myself. I believe that these values are what makes up my Inner Landscape and I try to incorporate values such as integrity, honesty and empathy into my teaching.

Relevance I believe that everything about your past shapes who you are and how you handle situations in life. I believe that reflection helps prepare you to handle situations in the future. My “Inner Landscape” helps me to remember to be considerate, be fair and to always act with integrity. I believe that my past experience helps not only my teaching but is beneficial when it comes to handling difficult situations. I have learned some important skills which I can rely on when faced with making a difficult decision or helping to solve a problem.

BCTC/TRB/BCTF BCTF-British Columbia Teachers Federation BCTC-British Columbia Teachers Council TRB-Teacher Regulation Booard I believe that it will be important to align my personal beliefs with the professional obligations of the BCTF, TRB and BCTC. I think that this will be achievable if I always remember that the children are at the center of any decision making model. By combining the professional responsibilities of the BCTF, BCTC and the TRB and my own “Inner Landscape” I believe I will have the ability and the skills needed to make positive decisions.

Approaches/Principles of Ethical Decision Making My personal beliefs on decision making connect with the Utilitarian Approach. The Utilitarian Approach states that “Of any two actions the most ethical one will produce the greatest balance of benefits over harms.” This connects with my own “Inner Landscape” because I believe strongly in making ethical decisions, and taking into consideration all those that are involved.

Reconciliations My core value when it comes to making decisions is making these decisions with my perception of my students best interest in mind. I believe that it is important to find a common ground between my beliefs and the beliefs of other educational stake holder groups. If I can find this common ground, and keep the best interest of students in mind when making decisions I will be able to handle situations effectively and positively. In order to find this common ground I will be open to listening to the perceptions of others and I will use this information as well as my own core values to make effective decisions to benefit my students and or children.

Model of Professional Decision Making Model The Children 1. Identify the main problem and gather information. 2. Question in order to gain insight and a deeper understanding of the situation at hand. 3. Consider all options, and how each option will affect the people involved. Decide on the most positive option. 4. Reflect as you monitor decision that was made- decide if the choice that you made was the right one. Reflect on whether you would do the same thing again.

Summary I believe that the core of any decision is how it will affect the children or students involved. When it comes to making difficult decisions this core value will help me remember what is really important. It is hard to make everyone happy especially in a professional setting in which a difficult decision has to be made. However, if I keep this core value in mind I will be able to ensure that decisions are made for the best interest of our students.

Reference  BC Ministry of Education: Current Standards. evelopment.aspx evelopment.aspx  BC Teachers’ Federation: Code of Ethics.  Lary Colero. A Framework for Universal Principle of Ethics  Ron Sandland. Ethical Decision Making Model. Powerpoint. 2012