Or. Admin. Code § 584-020-0035

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 12, December 1, 2024

Section 584-020-0035 - The Ethical Educator

The ethical educator is a person who accepts the requirements of membership in the teaching profession and acts at all times in ethical ways. In so doing the ethical educator considers the needs of the students, the district, and the profession.

(1) The ethical educator, in fulfilling obligations to the student, will:

(a) Keep the confidence entrusted in the profession as it relates to confidential information concerning a student and the student's family;

(b) Refrain from exploiting professional relationships with any student for personal gain, or in support of persons or issues; and

(c) Maintain an appropriate professional student-educator relationship by:

(A) Not demonstrating or expressing professionally inappropriate interest in a student's personal life;

(B) Not accepting or giving or exchanging romantic or overly personal gifts or notes with a student;

(C) Reporting to the educator's supervisor if the educator has reason to believe a student is or may be becoming romantically attached to the educator; and

(D) Honoring appropriate adult boundaries with students in conduct and conversations at all times.

(2) The ethical educator, in fulfilling obligations to the district, will:

(a) Apply for, accept, offer, or assign a position of responsibility only on the basis of professional qualifications, and will adhere to the conditions of a contract or the terms of the appointment;

(b) Conduct professional business, including grievances, through established lawful and reasonable procedures;

(c) Strive for continued improvement and professional growth;

(d) Accept no gratuities or gifts of significance that could influence judgment in the exercise of professional duties; and

(e) Not use the district's or school's name, property, or resources for noneducational benefit or purposes without approval of the educator's supervisor or the appointing authority.

(3) The ethical educator, in fulfilling obligations to the profession, will:

(a) Maintain the dignity of the profession by respecting and obeying the law, exemplifying personal integrity and honesty;

(b) Extend equal treatment to all members of the profession in the exercise of their professional rights and responsibilities;

(c) Respond to requests for evaluation of colleagues and keep such information confidential as appropriate; and

(d) Respond to requests from a Commission representative for information, furnish documents to the Commission, and participate in interviews with a Commission representative relating to a Commission investigation, except subject to the exercise of any legal right or privilege.

Or. Admin. Code § 584-020-0035

TS 5-1979, f. 12-19-79, ef. 1-1-80; TS 7-1983, f. & ef. 12-14-83; TS 7-1989, f. & cert. ef. 12-13-89; TSPC 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 12-9-98; TSPC 7-2007, f. & cert. ef. 12-14-07; TSPC 1-2020, amend filed 01/02/2020, effective 1/2/2020

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 342

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 342.143 & 342.175 - 342.190