(adapted from the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida and Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida)
1. Our school values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of
truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of
democratic citizenship. Essential to the achievement of these standards are
the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for
all.
2. Our primary concern is the student and the development of the student’s
potential. Employees will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek
to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity.
3. Concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel:
a. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful
to learning and/or to the student’s mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
b. Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in
pursuit of learning.
c. Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.
d. Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a
student’s academic program.
e. Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or
disparagement.
f. Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student’s legal rights.
g. Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race,
color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital
status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family
background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is
protected from harassment or discrimination.
h. Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or
advantage.
i. Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the
course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional
purposes or is required by law.
4. Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of
colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the community, employees of our
school must display the highest degree of ethical conduct. This commitment
requires that our employees:
a. Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
b. Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic
origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise
qualified, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional
benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization.
c. Shall not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political or civil rights and
responsibilities.
d. Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which
unreasonably interferes with an individual’s performance of professional or
work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education or which
creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment;
and, further, shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is
protected from such harassment or discrimination.
e. Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a
colleague.