Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers

Code of ethics for professional teachers all about the teacher itself. How teachers should react,
behave, and see a situation with work ethic. They are known as teachers who shall value honesty,
professionalism, and integrity inside and outside a school. That is why teachers are the mother of
all profession and the fountain of information. Because of them, we learned a lot of things. But
not all people can become a teacher. All students can have a right to study to become a teacher.
But only a few embraced all its standards and ethics. Few of all have embraced what it’s like to
be called as professional teachers.
There are standards on how teachers and future educators must do, how to handle particular
situations and issues, as well as how to be “one” that the society established teachers to be. This
code of ethics includes all teachers in all kinds of educational institutions, be it a public or even
private schools. Colleges and universities, on the other hand, has their own code of ethics. It is
for the higher education.
One thing, teachers are the authority in school, but then they are not expected to be a student’s
model of imitation. Although a teacher is the paragon of virtue, not all things must be looked up
by the students. After all, students are here to study, not to be a copycat of their teachers.
Students will be the future leaders of the community, teachers are the ones to mold them into the
citizen we are looking and praying for; a citizen who values professionalism, but also possess
patriotism.
I hope in the near future, I could be the teacher I longed myself to be. It is hard. It may get worse.
I might lose hope. But one thing’s for sure, I will be a teacher. Of course, with the use of my
hard work and passion for this profession.
The Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers has 19 articles that includes all the needed
characteristics, roles of a teacher to the state, community, as well as the quality of education aa
stated. It also includes the Preamble for Professional Teachers.
Firstly, Article I. It has one section which stated that a quality education shall be offered
by teachers and educators. No matter what kind of educational institution it is, it must cover all
public and private school teachers. Whether them be a full time, short time, or PARA teachers, as
long as they belong to an educational institution, they are covered by this. One thing that we
must take note is that it is only for basic education, or for primary to secondary. Colleges and
universities has its own separate code of ethics for tertiary education.
Secondly, Article II. It has eight articles. Teachers are the one to hone the future citizens
of the state. It is their role to mold them to be a good citizen and get them informed to various
issues and roles concerning the state. Before becoming fully teachers, they need to a neurological
exam to see if they are actually fit for the role of a teacher. For instance, if I am not physically
and mentally stable, what good it would bring to my students if their role model doesn’t look like
one. Teachers must not teach just because of the salary. They can’t even get rich just by being a
teacher. It is not a playground that if they feel tired of being a so-called mother, they will call the
game off. Being a teacher requires a strong devotion, not just about being technical.
Teachers shall never let their students imitate them. Students are not the copycats of their
teachers. They are what they designed themselves to be. So future teachers like me should
remember that we must not promote our religion, or own political perspective. We can share our
views or stands about it, but we cannot dictate them.
As a future teacher, I must be a registered voter (Although I did not register yet). Good
thing that the deadline of application for registration is until September 30, 2021 so I’ll make
sure to apply before that. We shall also be forbidden to influence students to vote for a particular
politician. Teachers must value honesty at all times. We are the makers of all known professions.
In basic education, it’s the teachers who will decide on what techniques they will use and what
rules they will implement inside a classroom. In tertiary education, teachers can choose what
topic they will teach or not. They can only choose their own grading system, they shall not be
dictated.
Thirdly, Article III. This is about the teacher and the community. Teachers are the makers
of future citizens or leaders of a community that has good conduct and values. They are the
makers of the future generations. I believe that I am lacking in many ways, such as leadership
that a teacher should have to participate in community engagement. Some professions requires
double life. For instance, a writer at night, a student at day. For teachers, it isn’t the case. People
look up to us like we’re the most outstanding and educated being. Like we shouldn’t engage in
any crimes and shouldn’t have any bad habits like smoking and gambling. Because if we are to
teach such values and we’re doing the opposite, what would our students say?
If the students are to engage in school programs or activities, it’s just right to keep the
community informed about it so that there is an assurance of the student’s security. Teachers are
accountable to the students as long as they’re in school. Teachers must also have a good
relationship with their co-teachers and other people, not just their students.
Fourthly, Article IV. Teachers must live in nobility. They should enter a class like they
are entering a battlefield. A preparation is a must. As a future educator, many have said to me
that I won’t survive, that even if I graduate, I won’t be able to give my family a better life
because I can never become rich in teaching. At the back of my mind, I thought that my passion
is overflowing and that’s enough. I am not studying to be rich, though I want to give my family a
descent kind of living.
Fifth, Article V. When I become a teacher, I want to build good camaraderie with my
fellow teachers, just like now with my classmates. No competition. No envy. Just helping one
another to keep their progress. And if ever that my co-teacher will have an issue, it’s my duty to
take her side all the time, especially that I know how it feels to be a teacher. I wouldn’t gossip
about them or anything unprofessional. And in terms of being unethical, if ever I’ll leave an
institution, I’d hand my student’s documents and won’t keep it so the new teacher will not have
any problems.
Sixth, Article VI. If I have any complaints with my superior, I must complain in written
form, submit it to higher ups, without anonymity. Teachers will never be content of being a
Teacher I and it’s their rights to be transferred or get a promotion or raking based on their
qualifications. Seventh, Article VII. If ever that I become a teacher, I won’t belittle any
personnel who are my junior. Never will I do that. Education will not be at its best without these
personnel. Teachers and principals have authority to rule, but not to the point of being a tyrant-
like. Be abusive has no room.
 Eighth, Article VIII. As a future teacher, I must secure my student’s safety, regardless of
any circumstances, they are my top priority. And if ever that the parents of a student will give me
money or anything in particular to raise their child’s grades, I won’t do it. Their grades should be
based on their performances. Ninth, Article IX. Even though parents aren’t my students, I must
still be respectful and built good relationship with them. I won’t see any of them as inferior to
me, or think that their voice are invalid just because I attained higher education than them.
Tenth, Article X. I know that I won’t get rich in teaching. So I am thinking that soon, I’d
think of a business to run when I am teaching so that I could get additional income. It’ll be okay
as long as my top priority is teaching. Eleventh, Article XI. A writer after her work, is a family
member. But a teacher after her work, are both a family member and still a teacher. Act like a
teacher, think like a teacher. I am to become a teacher; teaching as they think is the noblest
profession. I will never be where I would be without God. He is the creator of my destiny.
Twelfth, Article XII. I am willing to embrace all that are written in this code. I’ll never let my
license to get revoked by my unethical actions. And finally, Article XIII. This code was
approved a long time ago.
I can never memorize this code that serve as the backbone of teaching profession. But I
know I can be “that” teacher as long as my heart is in this profession. Being happy with your
profession is like being a child who can go through anything to taste a sweet candy.