Examining Codes of Ethics

The Code of Ethics of the DEC was very informative. There were so many of these ethics that seemed significant as well as relative to me, however I chose three to share with others. The first one is:

     #5 We shall use individually appropriate assessment strategies including multiple sources of information such as observations, interviews with significant caregivers, formal and informal assessments to determine children's learning styles, strengths, and challenges. 

    This particular item was very significant for me because we focus a lot on differentiated instruction in the classroom, and in order to apply differentiation successfully, you have to be able to identify with the different learning styles of all students. We have to conduct some type of survey or what have you to be able to acknowledge each students' individual preferences. 

Another one of the items that seemed relevant to me was in the area of professional development and preparation where it states:

#4 We shall support professionals new to the field by mentoring them in the practice of evidence and ethically based services. 

     This is relevant because I feel so strongly about the idea of mentoring other teachers to be successful. I feel as though if you are aware of any information and there is someone new or not even new but someone who is just unaware of a certain thing then we should mentor each other in those areas to get them where they need to be. 

The third item is 

   We shall recognize and respect the dignity, diversity, and autonomy of the families and children we serve. 

The school I teach at is a very diverse school, I feel like as a professional it is very important to meet the needs of every student there regardless of there differences and support the children and their families to be successful. 

In the NAEYC Code of Ethics the standards that I saw as being very relevant to my professional career was "To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training. .....This is soooo important and I really understand the importance of it now since I have been going through this course. It is our duty as professionals to do as much as we possibly can to stay current with the ECED field and to continue to look for new information that may be helpful to the children and the families.

Another item is " To welcome all family members and encourage them to participate in the program."  I thought I could relate to this one because in everything I do, I always want people to feel welcome and want to be involved in positive things that may be helpful to them. If we do not welcome family members and encourage them to be involved then that alone can affect the success of a child. 

References: 

• Article: NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from
  http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf
• Article: The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from
  http://www.dec-sped.org/