Part 3: Disciplinary Policies and Professional Ethics

Establishing initial group rules/expectations Its very important that students feel welcomed on their first day of school. An initial letter welcoming students and their parents to my classroom will be sent out before the first day of school arrives. A welcoming class and greeting will come from me as students arrive on their first day of school. Students should feel as if I want them in my classroom, and they as learners want to be present in the classroom as well.

Just as I do, students are curious as to how this year of school will go. They will probably have questions about me, as I will have questions about each of them. Rules and expectations can be handled once students get settled in the classroom

Consequences for breaking class rules Consistency is key for students who choose to ignore classroom procedures. The consistency of enforcing and providing the same consequences to all students will be implemented.

Classroom or school rule infractions Students will have the opportunity in the first week of school to learn about classroom and school rule infractions. Students should not be punished for breaking these infractions if they are unaware of them, or have never be taught what these infractions are. The teacher should have a general list of these infractions, which should be given to the students and parents for them to sign and

return to school. Along with that, the teacher should discuss the possible infractions, and give examples to the class. Its not possible for ALL infractions to be listed, so the teacher should inform students about making the best choice for the student and the environment (in order not to break infractions).

Student disrespect The teacher will go by the motto --Treat others the
I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me -as a human being. Jackie Robinson

way you would like to be treated. All persons in the classroom/school should be respectful to each other. If an ongoing trend of disrespectfulness is observed, the teacher will meet with the student to

determine reason behind why the action is occurring. If the teacher is unable to make any progress in the situation, the teacher will utilize the services of the counselor (if one is available in the school) or notify the proper administration.

Student conflict on the playground Conflict on the playground should be handled in the same way as a procedure not being followed in the classroom. A consequence will follow the undesired action from the student.

Student inattentiveness or lack of motivation Its important the teacher does everything on their part to invite students the be part of the classroom. Students should feel they are important to the teacher. Students feeling discourage, often by disinviting behaviors may often lack

motivation. When teaching, teachers should be enthusiastic and caring in order to grab and keep students attention.

Tardiness Tardiness will also be discussed during the procedures during the first week of school. The importance of being on time will be stressed to the classroom. Its important for the teacher to understand that outside factors (homelife, ect ) will also impact if students make it to class on time. If habits of being tardy are demonstrates by a student, the teacher should immediately confront the student to determine the reason of being late. From there, the teacher and student should work on resolutions if possible for the student to arrive on time to school. Once the student is at school and still arrives late to class, the teacher should attempt to find out the reason behind this.

Disrupting/offending student during class time A one on one conference with the teacher and student causing disruption will be set up to discuss the reason behind students actions, and to find solutions to discontinue the disruptiveness. The teacher will also discuss and explore possibilities of moving the students desk to an area which would cause fewer

disruptions to the class or student. If the disruption continues, parents will be notified and a possible conference with the student, teacher and parents may be scheduled. A higher level administrator may be notified after that.

Students not getting work done/ not trying to get work done Behind every behavior is a reason why that behavior has occurred. Its important to understand why students are trying not to or not getting work done. When this is discussed with the student, the teacher and should explore a range of possibilities that can be implemented to lead to students completing their work.

Cheating If a child is suspected of cheating or is caught cheating, the following people will be notified: the student who is suspected of cheating/caught cheating, the students parents and the proper administration. A form documenting the cheating will be established and must contain the following signatures: the teacher, students, students parent(s) and the proper administer. All parties will receive a copy of the documentation. The documentation will serve as a written warning, letting all parties know the procedure and consequence if the same child is suspected or caught cheating again. Future monitoring by the teacher should be taken.

When to involve parents/guardians or the principal For any issue arising in school, the teacher should always take the first step in trying to find a solution. Even for certain circumstances, multiple attempts for the teacher and student to solve a problem should be carried out. Depending on the

severity and frequency of an issue, parents and administrators should not be involved unless the teacher feels they have exhausted all means of trying to find a solution for the issue.

Behavior as a school professional

You make a statement of dignity to yourself and the teaching profession when you acknowledge and accept that you make a difference Ed Wong

As a teacher, all eyes are constantly on you. Its not only important to display professional behavior, but a professional appearance should always be displayed as well. Even outside of the classroom, teachers should make choices that demonstrate that are more than a teacher; they are a role model as well. Effective teachers know that the clothes they wear and the smile that dresses their face are the first thing students see when greeting them at the door. (Ed Wong) Lounge gossip Lounge gossip should be refrained from at all times. This includes discussions over students, parents and co-workers. Lounge gossip could cause problems with coworkers, betray student-teacher confidentiality with the student or parents and decrease your credibility as a positive role model. If an issue needs to be discussed

with any of the following people, it should be done in private and in a tasteful manner.

Differing views of a colleague Its important to remember why we are/becoming teachers. We are at school to facilitate and encourage learning while at the same time, providing students with a positive role model. With that being said, getting along with other teachers at school is very important. Sometimes, collaboration with others may lead to the best ideas. Collaboration may not be easy for some teachers to do, but at the end of the day its about whats in the best interest for the student.

Differing views should be addressed, but in a tasteful manner. An ongoing argument is not necessary, and may only escalate tension between colleagues even more. Students can pick up on tension between teachers.

Depending on how important the strategies and views are to the teacher, will coinside with what the teacher will do if they disagree with these views. Chances are, teachers are not going to agree 100% with what their administration does all the time. But, opinions and thoughts should be expressed by teachers to their administration; the frequency of this should be monitored and done for the more meaningful issues. Principals have a limited amount of time, yet they are

responsible for a great deal of duties. Problems with their administrator could lead to distractions in the classroom, decreasing the successfulness of students If the disagreement is so great, the teacher should explore the possibilities of finding another school to teach at.

Differentiation Policy
Understanding directions If a student is displaying problems understanding directions or a task, a brief meeting of the teacher and student will take place. Questions about the lack of understanding will be addressed to the student and accommodations will be made by the teacher. If this continues in the class, the teacher should seek assistance or a student evaluation by the proper staff. Challenging those in need As teachers, its our job to recognize those students in need. In particular, those students who are excelling or falling behind above curricula standards should be offered the most amount of appropriate support.

Parent communication
Regular parent communication Teachers should communicate and let parents know how big of a role they play in their students success. Teachers are parents must work as a team to achieve successful student learning; this is why regular communication is necessary.

Random phone calls, letters home or emails should set up to notify parents of how their child is doing in school. These can be brief, or extensive if needed. This type of communication should be done about once a month. Parent teacher conferences Conferences are important because they give face to face interaction between the teacher, parents and student (sometimes), and they give the chance for parents to see their students actual assessments. Conferences should be well organized and planed, while being scheduled around the needs of guardians. A mixture student highlights and constructive criticism should be present through out conversation.