Professionalism is an important skill as a teacher of young children and as an administrator. Adopting ethical practices means to elect choices that benefit children and families; those that maintain health and safety for children, shows respect and acceptance for families, and the ability to know when to create boundaries. Establishing limits when working with children and families can challenge individuals to question how far to go in providing support. Setting up a system of agreements for a preschool provides clear expectations. Staff have a better chance of building relationships with families and with each other as co-workers.
Agreements, in the form of professional standards, can include a list of practices for staff to follow. Some ideas may include the following:
Maintain and establish a professional relationship, avoiding a relationship on a personal level which includes intimacy.
Avoid using foul language during work hours.
I once experienced a situation involving two employees - a teacher and a teacher's assistant. The teacher's assistant was experiencing financial difficulty, so she would frequently ask the teacher to use various personal items including her washing machine, her dryer, and her truck. One day, she asked to borrow a large sum of money to purchase a gift for her son. When the assistant failed to pay the teacher back the money as promised, the teacher felt it necessary to bring the situation to my attention. This could have been avoided if the teacher maintained a professional boundary with the assistant. This takes a high level of objectivity. When looking at the big picture, the consequences of engaging in personal relationship can result in hurt feelings, resentment, and at times, legal ramifications.
Establishing professional boundaries does not mean being a person who doesn't care - it means looking for alternate means of support or providing community resource options without becoming personally involved. It also means knowing when to request for assistance before the situation gets out of control.
I think one of the most difficult hurdles for teachers to manage is the ability to walk away from work without carrying the load of responsibility. This is especially true for teachers working with children from potentially dysfunctional homes. Teachers feel the need to protect children - at times wanting to take children home with them. This is not an easy task, yet we each need to reach a place where we can accomplish this. When discussing these feelings with staff, I explain that we can only control the environment and situation when the child is in school. As teachers, we can provide a consistent, happy, safe, fun environment for children. Regarding home, we can do our best to offer support to parents. If staff have information to suspect child abuse or neglect, we have the responsibility as mandated reporters to file a report ASAP. If, at the end of the day, we can walk away from our classrooms knowing that we did the best we can for children on that day...we have accomplished our goal. At this point, it's time to go home to our own families and take care of them. This is another situation that requires our direct attention. We can only be present for our own children (or spouses, or significant other) if we are able to let-go of work, and focus on their needs...or on our own needs as individuals.
Mental health wellness is extremely important for teachers and administrators. In many situations, teachers and directors can be pushed to challenging limits. There's so much to think about, so many balls to juggle at one time. How does one balance so many expectations? It's important for directors to monitor work hours, work load, and situations of teachers to maintain a healthy work environment and morale. It all connects back to professionalism.
You have to know yourself in order to maintain ethical principals. A true professional is someone with unwavering integrity. Directors are role models to staff, leading by example. If the person in charge is not a strong professional, there's a high probability that staff will receive mixed messages that can create an unhealthy space for children and adults.
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Hi Debbi:
ReplyDeleteI like how you are explaining key points about professionalism as you relate it to your own experiences. I think there are choices that are hard to make, especially in the situation where you had the issue with your assistant and teacher. At times, we feel we are like a "family" and really want to help each other out. It really is hard to say no. But in certain circumstances, sometimes you need to say no and hard feelings may arise. To me, I do take things personally and to the heart. As my husband tells me, work is work and once the clock strikes 3:00, it's time to let go of work and just be friends and colleagues, no hard feelings about what has happened in the past eight hours. Ok, for men, I think that is a little easy for them to do, I think we women are just to emotional and personal so it's just too hard! However, we do try and make choices that are in the best interest of the children, the children are always first on my list.
I think creating boundaries are necessary. Especially boundaries with parents and family members. We did have a few incidents where staff members got close to the families and favortism began.
It is true, we really have to know ourselves first and know our own boundaries and maintain a well managed professionalism that is ethically right.
:) jan
Hi Debbi,
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued by your blog posting this week -- do you think professionalism can be defined in different ways? Does your definition emerge from your own experiences as an administrator? Can the community that your school serves impact what professional is and how relationships are defined?
I then wonder about relationships. How do relationships play a part in professionalism? Which relationships are most important (if any) -- children and teachers, families and teachers, colleagues, administration and teachers< administration and families, children and administration?
I wonder how all of this might relate to Sumison's article discussing activism and advocacy. Also, how might the Exchange articles add to your discussion.
Jeanne
I really like how you realize the importance of keeping up health and safety for young children. I think these are some of the most important qualities in a childcare setting. I also like how you acknowledge the importance for not only the respect of families involved but also acceptance of their uniqueness. Ethical practices are very important and necessary in a well functioning program.
ReplyDeleteHaving clear standards and expectations for staff members can really cut down on some of the confusion that staff may have and makes it easier for them to know what is expected of them without them having to do a lot of guess work.
Having good moral ethics is also a great necessity, especially when young children. It is important that the child’s best interest is always being looked after even if it causes some uneasy situations. This is why it is important to realize the most important person in all the situations is always the child.
hi debbi!
ReplyDeleteThanks for always sharing stories from a director's point of view. I really enjoy reading your blog, and reading about all of your experiences. Were you born and raised in Maui? First off, I would like to say it's amazing how you started off just volunteering in the classroom and look where you're at now:) I know several teachers who attended HS as a child, sent their children to HS and now even work for HS as teachers:)
I agree, it is important to establish "professional boundaries" at work. I've also heard stories, where things get out of control. Sometimes, parents and children can feel the "vibe" when the teacher and assistant don't have a strong relationship.
Have a great week!
~suzanne~
Hi Debby, I liked how you mentioned the importance of separating you professional relationship with your work relationships. I have seen these types of scenarios more than once- as well. I feel, just as you do, it takes a lot way from what we are all here for- the children. I also feel that when it comes to leaving work at work I personally find some situations hard to just leave behind. I am the kind of person who can't help but feel that I can help every situation- even though I can't. But I want to. If I could I would adopt every child that needs a home. But can you blame me for wanting to better every child's life (if possible)?
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