code of ethics for minnesota teachers 8700.7500 tammy barnes education minnesota field staff...
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Code of Ethics for Minnesota Teachers 8700.7500Code of Ethics for Minnesota Teachers 8700.7500
Tammy Barnes
Education Minnesota
Field Staff
Standards of Professional Conduct
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Standards of Professional Conduct
A. A teacher shall provide professional educational services in a non-discriminatory manner.
• The law protects these classes:
– Gender, race, color, creed, national origin, marital status, disability, public-assistance status, age, sexual orientation, or religion
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Responsibility for Student Safety
B. A teacher shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to health & safety.
• Mandatory reporting of abuse or neglect
• Within 24 hours to social services or police
• Know your school policy regarding process
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Student Safety, continued
• Maintain Appropriate Boundaries
• Professional – not a friend
• Recognize and respect boundaries
• Open-door policy
• Refer students to appropriate resources
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Student Safety, continued
• District harassment policy
• Required document
• Applies to:
– All district employees (administration, support staff, teachers, agents, contractors, etc)
– All district students– Any district volunteers– All school board members
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Student & Personnel Data
• Disclose Confidential Data:
• When a compelling professional purpose is served
• When required by law
• Disclose Educational Data:
• Only to those with legitimate educational interest
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Student & Personnel Data
• No release to police without a court order
• No disclosure to other parents or colleagues
• Follow district guidance on photos, test scores, etc.
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Disciplinary Action
D. A teacher shall take reasonable disciplinary action…
– Corporal punishment is illegal in Minnesota– Know how IEP’s are to be enforced– Know your district policy for discipline
• MN statute requires notification prior to classroom placement for violent students
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Disciplinary Action, continued
• MDE has authority to investigate
• MDE will report findings of abuse to BOT
• You have the right to legal representation during MDE investigation or interview
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Professional Relationships
F. A teacher shall not use professional relationships with students, parents, and colleagues to private advantage.
• “your child really needs some extra help – I’m available”
• “I have a great set of books I can sell to you”
• If in doubt – ask!
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Delegating Authority
F. A teacher shall delegate authority for teaching responsibilities only to licensed personnel
• Do not ask/require paraprofessionals to provide direct instruction or professional judgment
• Do not use volunteers or parents as teachers
• Know that potential conflicts with culture of the school can occur
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Subject Matter
G. A teacher shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter.
– Curriculum issues– District policies
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Teacher Qualifications
H. A teacher shall not knowingly falsify or misrepresent records or facts relating to that teacher’s own qualifications or to other teacher’s qualifications.
– Gossip– Comments
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Teacher Licensing
A teacher shall accept a contract only if properly licensed for that position.
• This applies to any additional courses you might be asked to teach.
• If in doubt, check!
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Teacher Licensing
• Licenses are posted on public site (MDE)
• License expires on June 30th
• You are responsible for your license
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Grounds for Immediate Termination
• Gross inefficiency not corrected after notice
• Neglect of duty – failure to teach
• Conduct Unbecoming a teacher
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Examples of Unbecoming Conduct
• Discriminatory conduct
• DWI/DUI convictions
• Embezzlement
• Sexual misconduct
• Trafficking in internet pornography at home
• Illegal gambling
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Immediate Termination, continued
Insubordination:
• Constant and continuing intentional refusal to obey a direct or implied order, reasonable in nature, and given by and with the proper authority.
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Immediate Termination, continued
Immorality:
• Community standards
• Public figure with a role model duty
Continuing physical or mental disability subsequent to a 12-month leave of absence and inability to qualify for reinstatement
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Immediate Termination, continued
Felony conviction:
• If for child or sexual abuse, license revocation and discharge are automatic
• If for another type of felony, the teacher is entitled to a hearing
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Failure to Teach
Resignation Dates
• Know the statutory dates
• Know your contract
• Consequences for failure to meet deadlines
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Probationary Status
Probationary teachers can be non-renewed for any reason or no reason, as long as it is not a discriminatory or anti-union reason.
You must be notified by July 1 for the following year
Work with your local union
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Professional Development Opportunities
TALL – Teachers as Learners & Leaders
ER & D – Educational Research & Dissemination
Foundation Grants – Grants given to teachers by Education Minnesota
Summer Seminar
Intermediate Locals offer training
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Mandatory Reporting
If in doubt, make a report to the authorities.
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403b
Do you want to have a nice retirement nest?
How does it work?
The district may match what you save.
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Support Systems
Your local union leaders
Your mentors
Your colleagues
Education Minnesota
• educationminnesota.org
Tammy Barnes
1-800-642-3239
Education Minnesota Student Program Advisor
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