1. Spring Branch ISD Ethics
It’s complicated.
Wait, it’s complicated?
Presented by: Human Resources

2. Objectives
Support respect for members of the education profession by providing some moments of reflection on what we expect from ourselves and each other
Provide an overview of Spring Branch ISD’s organizational commitment to ethics in the workplace so that employees new to SBISD may continue learning what’s expected of them as professionals

3. So what is Ethics?

4. So what is Ethics?
Knowing right from wrong… …and choosing to do what is right
Reflecting before acting… …and making careful decisions

5. Why Ethics? Why Now?
We teach through modeling, and the decisions we make teach our students (and each other) how to behave.
We are proud of our employees and wish to support their reputations as professionals.
We want our employees to know our expectations.
We can learn from large and small mistakes.
The nation is looking to us for proof of what’s possible in school systems.

6. “I watch what I do
to see what I believe.”
- Sister Helen Prejean

7. What does Spring Branch believe?

8. What does Spring Branch believe?
A great school system builds on the strengths and gifts of each child.

9. What does Spring Branch believe?
A great school system provides students from poverty the same opportunities for success after high school as students from non-poverty homes.

10. What does Spring Branch believe?
A great school system instills in every student the belief that they can achieve more than they think possible.

11. What does Spring Branch believe?
A great school system assures that every adult in the system is committed to the successful completion of some form of higher education for every child.

12. So…we have ethical choices.

13. So…we have ethical choices.
Some are
OBVIOUS.

14. So…we have ethical choices.
Some are
OBVIOUS.
Some are NOT OBVIOUS but are IMPORTANT.

15. So…we have ethical choices.
Some are
OBVIOUS.
Some are IMPORTANT but MISLEADING.
Some are NOT OBVIOUS but are IMPORTANT.

16. And some are just policy.

17. Some ethical choices are OBVIOUS!

18. Obvious Ethical Choices
Academic dishonesty & cheating
Stealing, fraud, misuse of funds
Coming to work under the influence of alcohol/illegal drugs
Acts of violence
Sexual harassment
Discrimination
A romantic or inappropriate relationship with a student
Anything that would be considered criminal activity even if outside the workplace

19. Some ethical choices are NOT OBVIOUS
but are IMPORTANT

20. Not Obvious But Important
Matters of Integrity
Matters of Finance
Matters of Attendance
Matters of Instruction
Matters of Privacy
Matters of Loyalty
Matters of Commitment
Matters of Professional Growth
Matters of Safety

21. Not Obvious But Important
Matters of Integrity
Acting with honesty and integrity
Representing facts accurately
Accurately reporting student progress
Providing our best efforts
Using funds appropriately
Honoring copyright laws
Demonstrating simple courtesies such as holding the door open for each other
Demonstrating respect for others, even in challenging circumstances

22. Not Obvious But Important
Matters of Finance
Appropriate use of district funds and resources (if funds are to be used for instruction, they cannot be used for another reason)
Acceptance of gifts (might cause integrity to be in question – influence, etc)
Surplus District property cannot be given to employees, it must be auctioned
Cannot accept pay for tutoring one’s own students
Cannot use District facilities for private tutorials

23. Not Obvious But Important
Matters of Attendance
Coming to work unless necessary to be absent
Commitment to getting the job done
Honesty in reporting absences and the reason for an absence
Honesty in reporting work time
Being productive while at work

24. Not Obvious But Important
Matters of Instruction
Teaching all the curriculum (not only our favorite parts)
Being adequately prepared for class
Deciding how we will determine grades
Accurately reporting student progress
Providing opportunity for all
Commitment to the success and the future of all students
Equity
Academic integrity (aka cheating)
Honoring copyright laws

25. Not Obvious But Important
Matters of Privacy
Confidentiality of information regarding students or other employees
Maintaining boundaries between your professional life and your personal life
Discretion in personal life
Respect the privacy of others in all forms of communication, including social media

26. Not Obvious But Important
Matters of Loyalty
Commitment to the organization that employs you
Following District policy
Representing the District and the community appropriately
Intellectual property – materials developed as part of our work for SBISD belong to SBISD. Employees cannot copyright or sell these products.
Cleaning up after ourselves. Picking up trash we see.

27. Not Obvious But Important
Matters of Commitment
Supporting the goals of SBISD
Contributing towards SBISD’s goals (T-2-4)
Dedication to our students
Coming to work, even if you have days you can spare
Quality of service
Following the Educators' Code of Ethics (more later on this)

28. Not Obvious But Important
Matters of Professional Growth
Striving to continuously improve the quality of our work
Self awareness of our skills and where we need to improve
Willingness to receive feedback
Commitment to use feedback to improve competence
Self-reflection and being honest with ourselves
Willingness to accept responsibility for mistakes and committing to improve

29. Not Obvious But Important
Matters of Safety
Reporting child abuse and neglect
Reporting aggressive behavior or speech toward students or coworkers
Reporting physical actions made in anger towards students
No tolerance for violence or weapons
Demonstrating emotional control

30. Some ethical choices are IMPORTANT but MISLEADING

31. Misunderstood or Misleading
Misunderstood or Misleading Matters
Free Speech
Reporting Arrests
Social Media & Electronic Media
Legal, but not Ethical

32. Misunderstood or Misleading
Misunderstood or Misleading Matters
Free Speech
Employees do have the right to speak freely on matters of public concern such as the District's tax rate or a bond election. Free speech in the workplace does not mean one can say anything about anyone else with no consequence.

33. Misunderstood or Misleading
Misunderstood or Misleading Matters
Reporting arrests
Employees are required to report any arrest to Human Resources within three days or before returning to work.

34. Misunderstood or Misleading
Misunderstood or Misleading Matters
Social media / Electronic Media
Social media is truly “social” and is not private.
Employees could be responsible at the workplace for their personal behavior.
SBISD has an “acceptable use policy” that includes expectations of behaviors and especially expectations of the use of electronic and social media with students.
We are responsible for our own professional reputation and for maintaining a positive working relationship with the community.

35. Misunderstood or Misleading
Misunderstood or Misleading Matters
It’s not illegal…Some things are not illegal, but might not be ethical
Gossip
Recording a conversation you are having with a coworker without telling the coworker
Taking a video of a coworker without her permission

36. And some are just policy.

37. SBISD Employee Standards & Conduct (Policy DH)
Did you know that SBISD has formal policies regarding employee conduct? Policies can be found online on the Board of Trustees webpage.
One of these policies is “Employee Standards and Conduct”.
Here are main points of that policy.

38. SBISD Employee Standards & Conduct (Policy DH)
We should do our best.
We should be respectful and work cooperatively with one another.
When we have a problem, we should talk first with the person who could help solve that problem.

39. SBISD Employee Standards & Conduct (Policy DH)
We should be wise in our use of electronic media.
We should keep our schools and workplaces safe, including providing a tobacco free , alcohol free, and drug free environment.
Our relationships with students should always be professional and appropriate. Always.

40. Educators’ Code of Ethics
Did you know that the State of Texas has a code of ethics governing certified educators?
Certified educators: teachers, teacher assistants, counselors, principals, etc are bound to follow Texas standards of behavior as described in the Educators’ Code of Ethics.
Let’s look at the Code of Ethics…

41. Educators’ Code of Ethics
The Texas educator 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. The Texas educator, in maintaining the dignity of the profession, shall respect and obey the law, demonstrate personal integrity, and exemplify honesty. The Texas educator, in exemplifying ethical relations with colleagues, shall extend just and equitable treatment to all members of the profession. The Texas educator, in accepting a position of public trust, shall measure success by the progress of each student toward realization of his or her potential as an effective citizen. The Texas educator, in fulfilling responsibilities in the community, shall cooperate with parents and others to improve the public schools of the community.

42. Educators’ Code of Ethics: Professional Ethical Conduct, Practices and Performance
Standard The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in deceptive practices regarding official policies of the District, educational institution, educator preparation program, the Texas Education Agency, or the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and its certification process.
Standard The educator shall not knowingly misappropriate, divert, or use monies, personnel, property, or equipment committed to his or her charge for personal gain or advantage.
Standard The educator shall not submit fraudulent requests for reimbursement, expenses, or pay.

43. Educators’ Code of Ethics: Professional Ethical Conduct, Practices and Performance
Standard The educator shall not use institutional or professional privileges for personal or partisan advantage.
Standard The educator shall neither accept nor offer gratuities, gifts, or favors that impair professional judgment or to obtain special advantage. This standard shall not restrict the acceptance of gifts or tokens offered and accepted openly from students, parents of students, or other persons or organizations in recognition or appreciation of service.
Standard The educator shall not falsify records, or direct or coerce others to do so.

44. Educators’ Code of Ethics: Professional Ethical Conduct, Practices and Performance
Standard The educator shall comply with state regulations, written local Board policies, and other state and federal laws.
Standard The educator shall apply for, accept, offer, or assign a position or a responsibility on the basis of professional qualifications.
Standard 1.9. The educator shall not make threats of violence against District employees, Board members, students, or parents of students.
Standard The educator shall be of good moral character and be worthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state.

45. Educators’ Code of Ethics: Professional Ethical Conduct, Practices and Performance
Standard The educator shall not intentionally or knowingly misrepresent his or her employment history, criminal history, and/or disciplinary record when applying for subsequent employment.
Standard The educator shall refrain from the illegal use or distribution of controlled substances and/or abuse of prescription drugs and toxic inhalants.
Standard The educator shall not consume alcoholic beverages on school property or during school activities when students are present.

46. Educators’ Code of Ethics: Ethical Conduct Towards Professional Colleagues
Standard The educator shall not reveal confidential health or personnel information concerning colleagues unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.
Standard The educator shall not harm others by knowingly making false statements about a colleague or the school system.
Standard The educator shall adhere to written local Board policies and state and federal laws regarding the hiring, evaluation, and dismissal of personnel.

47. Educators’ Code of Ethics: Ethical Conduct Towards Professional Colleagues
Standard The educator shall not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political, professional, or citizenship rights and responsibilities.
Standard The educator shall not discriminate against or coerce a colleague on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, family status, or sexual orientation.

48. Educators’ Code of Ethics: Ethical Conduct Towards Professional Colleagues
Standard The educator shall not use coercive means or promise of special treatment in order to influence professional decisions or colleagues.
Standard The educator shall not retaliate against any individual who has filed a complaint with the SBEC or who provides information for a disciplinary investigation or proceeding under this chapter.

49. Educators’ Code of Ethics: Ethical Conduct Towards Students
Standard The educator shall not reveal confidential information concerning students unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.
Standard The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or minor in a manner that adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or safety of the student or minor.

50. Educators’ Code of Ethics: Ethical Conduct Towards Students
Standard The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly misrepresent facts regarding a student.
Standard The educator shall not exclude a student from participation in a program, deny benefits to a student, or grant an advantage to a student on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, national origin, religion, family status, or sexual orientation.

51. Educators’ Code of Ethics: Ethical Conduct Towards Students
Standard The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in physical mistreatment, neglect, or abuse of a student or minor.
Standard The educator shall not solicit or engage in sexual conduct or a romantic relationship with a student or minor.

52. Educators’ Code of Ethics: Ethical Conduct Towards Students
Standard The educator shall not furnish alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs to any person under 21 years of age unless the educator is a parent or guardian of that child or knowingly allow any person under 21 years of age unless the educator is a parent or guardian of that child to consume alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs in the presence of the educator.
Standard The educator shall maintain appropriate professional educator-student relationships and boundaries based on a reasonably prudent educator standard.

53. Educators’ Code of Ethics: Ethical Conduct Towards Students
Standard The educator shall refrain from inappropriate communication with a student or minor, including, but not limited to, electronic communication such as cell phone, text messaging, , instant messaging, blogging, or other social network communication. Factors that may be considered in assessing whether the communication is inappropriate include, but are not limited to:
The nature, purpose, timing, and amount of the communication;
The subject matter of the communication;

54. Educators’ Code of Ethics: Ethical Conduct Towards Students
Whether the communication was made openly or the educator attempted to conceal the communication;
Whether the communication could be reasonably interpreted as soliciting sexual contact or a romantic relationship;
Whether the communication was sexually explicit; and
Whether the communication involved discussion(s) of the physical or sexual attractiveness or the sexual history, activities, preferences, or fantasies of either the educator or the student.

55. So….

56. How do we model our practices as “ethical”?
How we handle our positions and reputations
How we consciously act with integrity
How we interact with our students
How we respect each other’s privacy
How we achieve our goals
How we use technology and social media to communicate

57. Here’s the “bottom line” about what makes us proud of SBISD employees.
We come to work and do our best.
We demonstrate commitment to our students and by extension, to our mission (T-2-4).
We take care of each other and “coach” each other professionally.
We treat each other with kindness, or if we are having a bad day, at least with courtesy!
We act with honesty and integrity.

58. Welcome back. Thanks for listening. Have a great year!