Professional Ethics Mesquite ISD July 25, 2019

Professional Ethics Professional ethics refers to the personal code of conduct that one is expected to uphold in a workplace, as well as the ethics of the organization and industry where he or she works. It implies quality of workmanship or service.

Employee Standards of Conduct All educators shall comply with standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community and shall safeguard academic freedom.

Employee Standards of Conduct The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) shall provide for the adoption, amendment, and enforcement of an educator’s code of ethics [see DH(EXHIBIT)]. SBEC is solely responsible for enforcing the ethics code for purposes related to certification disciplinary proceedings.

Policy DH – Harassment or Abuse An employee shall not engage in prohibited harassment, including sexual harassment, of: Other employees. [Policy DIA] Students. [See Policy FFH; see Policy FFG regarding child abuse and neglect.]

Policy DH – Harassment or Abuse While acting in the course of employment, an employee shall not engage in prohibited harassment, including sexual harassment, of other persons, including Board members, vendors, contractors, volunteers, or parents. An employee shall report sexual harassment, child abuse, or neglect as required by law. [See Policy FFG]

Policy DH - Electronic Communication "Electronic communication" means any communication facilitated by the use of any electronic device, including a telephone, cellular telephone, computer, computer network, personal data assistant, or pager. The term includes e-mails, text messages, instant messages, Facebook, Snap Chat, and any other form of communication made through a website, including a social media website or a social networking website or App.

Policy DH – Electronic Communication In accordance with ethical standards applicable to all District employees, an employee shall be prohibited from using electronic communications in a manner that constitutes prohibited harassment or abuse of a District student; adversely affects the student’s learning, mental health, or safety; includes threats of violence against the student; reveals confidential information about the student; or constitutes an inappropriate communication with a student, as described in the Educators’ Code of Ethics.

Policy DH – Electronic Communication An employee shall have no expectation of privacy in electronic communications with students. This refers to district technology sources as well as personal technology sources. Remember, all types of electronic communication leaves some form of digital footprints behind.

Mandatory Sanctions SBEC recently adopted rules establishing minimum certification sanctions in cases where an educator has pled guilty or accepted a deferred adjudication or some other type of pretrial resolution of a criminal charge beyond a simple dismissal of the charge, even when the charges are ultimately dismissed or where prosecution does not relate to the educator’s job or profession.

Mandatory Sanctions It is important to know that a resolution of a criminal charge that includes probation, community service, counseling, or anything beyond an outright dismissal of the charge may result in a required certificate sanction.

Mandatory Sanctions The minimum sanction for a misdemeanor-level prosecution is an inscribed reprimand on the educator’s certificate. The minimum sanction for a felony-level prosecution is suspension of the certificate for the period of any probation or community service.

10 Golden Rules of Professional Ethics in the Workplace Always strive for excellence Be trustworthy Be accountable Be courteous and respectful

10 Golden Rules of Professional Ethics in the Workplace Be honest and transparent Be competent and improve continually Always exhibit ethical behavior Be honorable and act with integrity

10 Golden Rules of Professional Ethics in the Workplace Be respectful of confidentiality Always set good examples Professionalism is highly valued in Mesquite ISD. It is an expectation of this district that all employees govern themselves according to our Code of Ethics and district policies at all times.

What happens today is on social media tomorrow! Behave Yourself!!! What happens today is on social media tomorrow!