Classroom Ethics Curriculum

NAEYC code of ethics are guidelines for childhood educators who teach and work with children from birth to eight years old. There are four main overlying points that the code supports. Child educators need to learn and be able to apply these codes. The first of these points deals with the different responsibilities that come with working directly with children. First off child educators need to feel comfortable working around children, if they feel comfortable the child will also feel comfortable. The educator needs to make sure there is room for academic growth by providing multiple opportunities for learning in a comfortable environment.

Some things change, some things stay the same. The National Education Association (NEA) adopted a code of ethics in 1975 (Strike & Soltis 2009, p. viii). While this code still upholds many concerns that educators face today, it is important to make sure that a code of ethics is a breathing document. It must adapt and change with the changing of time. Strike and Soltis (2009) reference the code of ethics quite regularly throughout the entire book. It is first introduced in full at the beginning of the book. Looking over the code, it is important to remember that much has changed since it was first adopted. While all of the code still applies, it is necessary to add to the code to make it acceptable for the twenty-first century.

Susan Imel's article "Ethical practice in adult education" provides an overview of a number of salient areas of concern regarding ethics in adult education (1992). Because it is focused predominantly on administration, the article can be considered a companion piece to Chapter 8 of Adminstering Successful Programs for Adults: Promoting Excellence in Adult, Community, and Continuing Education (Gailbraith et al 1997). The author considers the inherent challenges facing adult education instructors and details specific ways in which the ethical challenges of adult education are different from (and in many ways more pronounced) than those facing child or high school educators. Finally, the article provides a basic framework for how adult education instructors should implement ethical practice into their instruction.

Character Values are an important subject that must be taught to children or else they may never learn them. Thomas J. Lasley the author of “Character Will Likely Fail,” is against character education because he believes that character values are observed at home, and cannot be taught. While Kathleen Townsend the author of “Not Just Read and Write, But Right and Wrong,” believes that it is our duty as a community to teach our children values. Townsend clearly has a stronger argument because the only defense Lasley has to support his opinion is that it doesn’t matter whether or not we teach children values they are still going to act like the people around them. While Townsend has numerous facts and subject matter experts to support her theory that if teachers do not teach values then some children

“Can We Teach Character? An Aristotelian Answer” by Edwin M. Hartman is an incredibly well written article on whether, as the title states, character can be taught. I will attempt to critique this article and illustrate points that may have been excluded, but the article is extremely well rounded. The purpose of the article is to determine whether teaching ethics is worth the time taken, whether students will actually act better as a result. Hartman translates Aristotle’s thoughts well, and overall it is a beautiful piece of writing.

Hartman, E. (2006). Can We Teach Character? An Aristotelian Answer. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 5(1), 68-81

C.S Lewis once said, “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.” Ethics, defined by Merriam-Webster, is a “set of moral principles.” Ethical behavior should create an ideal learning environment that builds the foundation of an ethical environment. The experience gained in an ethical AP English classroom will greatly affect the student’s future. Education is not limited to academic study, but is rather the holistic growth of a human being.

Mentioning about business classes, students may think about finance, marketing, accounting, management and so on. However, ethics class is designed for all business students to understand about ethics and how to do moral business. The article Can We Teach Character? An Aristotelian Answer by Edwin M. Hartman explains the principle of ethics and how the schools can teach their business students good characters. The author emphasizes on the Aristotle’s principles of well-being and ethics and how to apply these principles to real life.

As school leaders, we have to hold the public trust and so ethics are such an important part what we do in our school. I think there are a few simple rules and one of them is always to think about what is the best benefit for our students. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe learning environment where students are willing to learn and improve. If we keep this in our mind, we can hardly go wrong with an ethical question that we face. Ethical challenges need to be confronted with courage and compassion for those who would be impacted by difficult decisions. School leaders are responsible for setting the examples that others would wish to follow.

A code of ethics is a document that every profession agrees to abide by, it lets the public know that a profession is serving the public in a good way, and the services is going to be acceptable moral conduct. A code of ethics permits a profession to speak with a knowledgeable voice. It provides support for behaving in a justify way when there is pressure or temptation to do what is quickest or what will make people admire us. The reason early childhood educators should follow a code of ethics because they have a daily influence on the lives of children, teachers are held to high expectations. As an early childhood educator every child should to be treated fairly and receive the same services as any other child. A lot of things can happen

Ethical standards in business are important for every leader to know and understand. The book Ethics 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know by: John C. Maxwell discusses ethics in the world today. When people make unethical choices, the reason they do because of three main pitfalls. People do what is most convenient to them, people tend to do what they must do to win, and people rationalize their choices with relativism. In this summary, Maxwell’s definition of business ethics will be framed, examples of ethical standards and guidelines, the meaning and contrast of ethical thinking and ethical behavior, and how to avoid these major pitfalls to live an ethical life. The

There are many times in a setting where you work with other adults that something will come into play that provides a conflict that could potentially create a clash of ideas. Sometimes something that one person may think is the correct way to go about things, could be wrong in the eyes of the other adult. When this conflict comes into play the two people that come into problems with one another need to make adult decisions to come to an agreement on the conflict that has arisen. Conflict management is about calming discussing the situation in order to brainstorm on the problem (Watson, 2012). My paper discusses a current dilemma, ethical ideal/principles that relate to the dilemma, as well as future approach.

What does education mean if ethics is sacrificed for academic gains? As Aristotle once said, “educating the mind without the heart is no education at all”. Not to mention, ethics is the key in shaping moral identities in people, especially students. This essay examines the importance of teaching ethics to students and the challenges that come with it. Educating students on ethics can minimize academic misconducts, guide students to become self-reliant in decision-making and attain wisdom. Yet, less experienced teachers, ignorance towards the importance of ethics and the increasing pressure on teachers regarding students’ academic standards have become inevitable challenges in the implementation of ethics in education.

The Code of Ethics for the Education Profession shows the goal of all educators and make available values and standards on how to judge conduct. Educators expectations are to accept responsibility and support the notion that all children have the right to an education free of discrimination, prejudice thinking, and inequity.

I read five articles on character education. These articles helped me to better understand the importance of character education and useful techniques and methods to teach children values and morals.