Week 5 Part 1

Standard 1.2 The educator shall not knowingly misappropriate, divert, or use monies, personnel, property, or equipment committed to his or her charge for personal gain or advantage.

I honestly believe that his is the most commonly made error of a school leader.  As a school leader, you have access to numerous resources.  This access can tempt many leaders to a bad decision.  As a first year teacher, I lived in the same neighborhood with a principal from another school.  I noticed that whenever he would host events at his home, he would use school equipment to accommodate his guest.  To some people this may not be a big deal, but as a leader, things like this definitely do not  help in regards to building respect.  The short and long term effect leads to your reputation being tarnished.  Many districts have policies in place to ensure that resources are managed properly. As a superintendent, I would create policies and make those policies clear to all members of the district.  Stakeholders must be able to trust the school leadership, if that is tarnished, it makes it much tougher to get community support for district initiatives.

Standard 1.6 The educator shall not falsify records, or direct or coerce others to do so.

This is something that can definitely cause huge problems in a district.  In some districts, the appraisers commonly falsify teacher observations.  In many cases, the appraiser may not have completed the teachers evaluation/observation in a timely matter, so he/she decides to just document it anyways.  This completely undermines the appraisal process, and sends a message to teachers that the process is not that important.  In the short term, a leader can be terminated, but the long term effect can lead to an administrator losing the respect of colleagues, and possibly the loss of certificate. The appraisal portion is used to ensure that teachers are providing an adequate education to our students.  As a superintendent I would hold administrator accountable by creating a policy that ensures that these appraisals are happening in a timely manner.

Standard 1.13 The educator shall not consume alcoholic beverages on school property or during school activities when students are present.

This is something that I have seen happen on numerous occasions.   I have seen this happen on field trips out of town.  Teachers and administrators would have a drink or two, after students fall asleep.  Our district policy very clearly prohibits this, but time and time again, district employees violate this rule.  School personnel has to model the highest ethical standards, any violation of this can lead to drastic consequences.  In the short term, an employee can be terminated from the district.  Long term effects can lead to a revoking of the teaching certificate, and possibly jail time depending on the severity of the situation.  I think it is important for the superintendent to make policies like this very clear to all district personnel.  This is one issue you would like to be proactive instead of reactive.

Standard 2.1 The educator shall not reveal confidential health or personnel information concerning colleagues unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.

I have yet to see anyone violate this rule, but I do not that the consequences for this is severe.  In the short term, an employee has the right to file a grievance.  This is a gross misuse of trust and authority.  The long term effects of this could lead to personnel being uncomfortable enough to share vital information with the superintendent.  As a superintendent is important that administrators understand the numerous policies that govern this type of behavior. 

Standard 2.2 The educator shall not harm others by knowingly making false statements about a colleague or the school system.

I honestly believe this happens when there is frustration involved.  I have seen teacher unhappy with the administration start heinous rumors in order to damage a person’s character.  If caught doing this in the short term, depending on the severity, a teacher can be reprimanded, suspended, or even terminated.  The long term effects can be that the teacher cannot retain a job in the district, or they lose the respect of colleagues.  Integrity is vital in education.  Even when situations are not ideal, teachers and administrators have to rise above the pettiness and maintain their integrity.