W5

EDAS 647

LEGAL ENTANGLEMENT PROJECT: PART 2 – PERSONAL REFLECTION AND COMMUNICATION OF PROFESSIONAL NORMS ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

OVERVIEW The purpose of this assignment is to reflect on how you personally model and communicate the professional norms discussed from the three sources previously addressed: Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE), case law, and professional literature. INSTRUCTIONS

Personal Reflection In the provided Legal Entanglement Project: Part 2 – Personal Reflection and Communication of Professional Norms Template, reflect on how you personally model the professional norms discussed from the following three sources:

• Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE): Consider the three principles you selected from the Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE) in your Legal Entanglement Project: Part 1 - Topic Selection and Ethical Analysis Assignment. Discuss how you model these three MCEE principles in your professional life. A link to the Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE) has been provided with this assignment for your reference.

• Case Law: Consider the three cases you reviewed in your Legal Entanglement Project: Part 2 – Professional Norms Knowledge Base Assignment and the implications for your own professional decisions and actions.

• Literature: Consider the three references you reviewed in your Legal Entanglement Project: Part 2 – Professional Norms Knowledge Base Assignment and the implications for your own professional decisions and actions.

You may use first-person pronouns in this section. The length requirement for this section is a 300-word minimum.

Communication of Professional Norms In this section, select the most salient professional norm that is most relevant to the issue you selected in your Legal Entanglement Project: Part 1 - Topic Selection and Ethical Analysis Assignment. The professional norm may be chosen from two or more of the following: (a) the MCEE principles, (b) case law, or (c) literature review. Create a statement to a selected audience about the importance of this professional norm. Identify the audience (e.g., faculty, staff, parents, students, school board, local media outlets, the community at large, all stakeholders, etc.) and write a statement conveying what the professional norm is and why it is important for your audience to adhere to it. The length requirement for this section is a 200-word minimum.

Your paper must be formatted in current APA format and must include a title page and a reference page, which are not included in the word count requirement.

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND COMMUNICATION OF NORMS 1

Legal Entanglement Project: Part 2 – Personal Reflection and Communication of Professional Norms

Camerie Porter

School of Education, Liberty University

Author Note

Camerie Porter

I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to

Email: Cporter60@liberty.edu

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND COMMUNICATION OF NORMS 2

Legal Entanglement Project: Part 2 – Personal Reflection and Communication of Professional Norms

Personal Reflection

Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE)

Throughout my journey as an educator, it’s rare that I have the chance to sit and reflect

on my professional norms, but this project has given me a chance to really step back and take a

greater look at my personal and professional norms as an educator. The three Model Code of

Ethics for Educators (MCEE) that I feel that I model each day would be: Responsibility to the

Profession (1.A.2) because with this principle keeps not only myself on track but other

educators. This principal keeps me aware that my profession requires a degree of professional

accountability that may beyond the bare minimum required by law and policy. I ensure each day

that I am holding oneself and other educators to the same ethical standards is part of this

responsibility. Responsibility to the School Community (3.B.8 and 3.C.3) is also one that I focus

on each day because I speak with so many students, parents, staff and others from difference

backgrounds and I must ensure that I am connecting with them, at times showing empathy,

respect and understanding. Lastly, Responsibility for Professional Competence (2.B.5) was one

that as a counselor, I show each day by bearing the responsibility of confidentiality towards

students, staff, and parents. As a professional educator, I ought to uphold the greatest standards

of ethics and professionalism both now and in the future. I am committed to continuous

professional learning as well as often reflecting on and evaluating my professional abilities,

knowledge, and competency.

Responsibility to the Profession is an ethic that I take on each day as a School Counselor.

As a School counselor I must demonstrate responsibility to oneself and the profession. I do that

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND COMMUNICATION OF NORMS 3

by knowing and upholding the procedures, policies, and laws relevant to the professional

practice regardless of my personal views. I monitor and maintain my mental sound, physical and

emotional health necessary to do the duties, required of me. Each day I must ensure that I refrain

from any activities that may lead to reducing one’s effectiveness within the school community.

As a School Counselor, it can be very demanding, and I continue to maintain influence and

support decisions and actions that positively impact teaching and learning by being a part of

regular staff and grade level meeting. I ensure that I am taking part in Parent-Teacher

conferences and engaging in any professional trainings held per the county or school. I also

advocate for adequate resources and facilities to ensure equal opportunities for all members

within the learning community.

Responsibility to the School Community (Inclusion) is one that I promote each day as a

School Counselor. In my profession I appropriately promote relationships and effective

interactions with members of the school community and students. Communicating with

parents/guardians in a timely, respectful, and culturally sensitive manner. Within the school

community, I must ensure that I am demonstrating a commitment to equality, equity, diversity

and inclusion with parents/guardian, staff, and students. As a Counselor inclusion is a big factor

in the schools and can’t be overlooked. I practice inclusion each day by ensuring that students

voices are being heard and connections with parents, staff members and teachers are being made.

Responsibility for Professional Competence is one ethic that I feel is critical as a

Counselor. I took on accepting the responsibilities of performing the duties and providing

services corresponding to the area of certification and training of my position. I ensure that I am

committed to the ongoing training we have as School Counselors and each year I seek and use

any evidence, instructional data, research, and professional knowledge to make me a more well-

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND COMMUNICATION OF NORMS 4

rounded Counselor. I have a primary obligation to promote safety and the wellbeing of all

students.

Case Law

Social scientists, educators, families, and administrators and all stakeholders themselves

are all interested in the issues and challenges that the modern educational system faces. I may not

be able to cover every topic, but I will concentrate on some of the most interesting and important

ones. Our educational system is undergoing a lot of changes because of the dynamic and

globalized times we live in. Since change is unavoidable, educational priorities and objectives

adjust to meet the needs, desires, and ambitions of students, society, and the community. When I

look at my own professional decisions and actions to the issues we have in the educational

system, I somehow fall back on the issues of everyone vision is different, and some may not be

in the education field for the right reasons. The direction and efficacy of educational institutions

are significantly shaped by educational management. It entails overseeing and coordinating

several functions within the educational system, including developing policies, allocating

resources, managing staff, and implementing curricula.

Education administration establishes the link between students' academic success and the

application of policies. It guarantees that educational institutions run smoothly, adhere to rules,

and put students' needs first. The overall efficacy of schools and the educational experiences of

students are greatly influenced by the competent management of personnel, resources, and

curricula by administrators. Encouraging inclusiveness and equity in the classroom is something

I personally value as a qualified professional school counselor. I make sure that I'm actively

working to create inclusive classrooms that satisfy each student's unique needs. This entails

putting inclusive policies into place, offering cultural competency-related professional

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND COMMUNICATION OF NORMS 5

development, creating a friendly school environment, and removing institutional hurdles that

impede equal access to education. I am aware that there are a number of challenges associated

with working in the education sector, and these challenges are not going to go away easily.

The field of education is challenging and full of challenges due to the complex structures

of educational institutions and the outside pressures imposed by social and political conditions.

The task that school administrators must complete is made even more challenging by the

increasing demands for accountability and openness. The intricate network of educational

systems includes several levels of government, including local, state, and federal. The root of the

complexity is the intricate web of regulations, policies, and institutional structures that school

administrators must manage. In addition to ensuring effective communication and cooperation,

administrators may have significant challenges in planning and organizing operations at different

levels. Navigating these limitations requires administrators to strike a balance between the

requirements of educators, students, and other stakeholders. For this, you need to be able to

communicate effectively, negotiate skillfully, and can make well-informed decisions that benefit

the school community. A few challenges facing educational administration, including myself as a

school counselor, include the complexity of educational institutions, demands from the political

and social spheres, and the requirement for accountability and transparency. Administrators must

successfully navigate these obstacles to support teachers and staff, meet the needs of students

and stakeholders, and provide high-quality education. I put a lot of effort into my work as a

counselor every day to tackle these problems, which demand strong leadership, collaboration,

and a commitment to continuous improvement in the ever-evolving field of education.

Literature

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND COMMUNICATION OF NORMS 6

I found certain sources when reflecting on professional norms that answered some of my

concerns regarding the school system. Saiti, A., and Arar, K. (2022). School administrators'

ethical leadership, moral conundrums, and decision-making. I had to read the reference Equity in

Education & Society, 1(1), 126-141 in my capacity as a counselor. This article discussed how

decisions are made in school systems and discussed the influence of moral leadership on the

leadership of the educational system. This article helped me realize how important it is for every

individual involved in the educational system to contribute to the development of schools. A

foundation for ethical leadership includes a constant understanding that the school community,

which consists of children, teachers, parents, and staff, is greatly impacted by the decisions and

deeds of school principals. To traverse these complex and multidimensional ethical quandaries as

an educational leader and provide the foundation for a long-lasting and inclusive school, as a

counselor, I adhere to the framework. I ensure each day I lead to improve the climate and ethical

behaviors to build a well-organized, calm, and driven school for students and staff.

An additional citation that caught my attention, (A. R. a. R. O. O. 2016, April 8),

difficulties and issues in schooling. The problems and challenges in education were divided into

sections in this article. Either way, it made mention of how drastically different school districts

are from one another in terms of budget, facilities, and other factors. Having worked in the

education sector for a while, I have been horrified to witness schools collapsing. I have worked

many schools in the beginning of my career and though the years education has changed. I see

the overcrowding, the foundation (the upkeeping) of schools, the students, the educators that are

being hired and more. This article touches on a lot that I have seen. This goes to show we have a

duty to enforce as stakeholders and even as a counselor.

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND COMMUNICATION OF NORMS 7

The article "School finance as a moral dilemma" concludes with discussing some of the

reasons why there are problems in the educational system. I have worked at and visited many

schools during my career in teaching, and each one has had its own unique characteristics. Some

are superior to others. I've attended schools with somewhat poor resources and others with

marginally better ones. The way public schools distribute educational funds in an adequate and

equal manner has long been criticized. I have helped fund raisers in some of the schools I have

worked, to ensure the students, have certain things they need. I have also reached out to different

organizations for donations. As a counselor I have felt it was important to have different

resources under your belt to help staff, students, families, and the community out as needed. As

more is learned in my years of being an educator, I am learning that as years pass, there are

school leaders that are operating within policy and legal gray areas. They are working hard to

improve what’s in their control, and I am doing my part as a counselor because that’s what I got

into education for. Improvement.

Communication of Professional Norms

Issues of right and wrong come up often in the education field and sometimes those

conversations can become uncomfortable, so how should one think and talk about the moral and

legal issues in the education system? The way I see it is all students deserve learning

environments that are safe, inclusive, supportive, and fair. This is why I know it is always great

to have local media outlets and parents always involved when it comes to the issues in the

education system. I also feel that districts can both keep their school community, including

students and staff safe, while ensuring every student is included, supported, and treated fairly. I

touched on these issues such as support and equality because it is an important tool for creating

learning environments that are the foundation to the success of all students and even staff. These

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND COMMUNICATION OF NORMS 8

principals alone fall into the hands of local media outlets and the parents because when these two

parties start to shed light on issues that the education system is dealing with it holds individuals

at the Board of Education, the Superintendent, the principals, and others accountable. When the

local media outlets and parents hold the higher up accountable it starts to create a fair and

supportive environment for the better of students. The school districts start to grow in areas that

have been overlooked for years. Our educational system is undergoing a lot of changes and that

why I would say, it is important for local media outlets and parents hold the key for change.

Since change is unavoidable, educational priorities and objectives adjust to meet the needs,

desires, and ambitions of students, staff, parents, and the community. When I look at my own

professional decisions and actions to the issues we have in the educational system, I somehow

fall back on the issues of everyone’s vision is different, and some may not be in the education

field for the right reasons. That’s why for the education field to start turning around, we need

mainly parents and local media outlets but also all stakeholders like staff, teachers,

administrators, and the board of education to step up with the issues that are coming against the

education field.

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND COMMUNICATION OF NORMS 9

References

Arar, K., & Saiti, A. (2022). Ethical leadership, ethical dilemmas and decision making among

school administrators. Equity in Education & Society, 1(1), 126-141.

https://doi.org/10.1177/27526461211070828

Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. (n.d.). Lemon v. Kurtzman.

https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/cases/lemon-v-kurtzman--2

Bradford v. Maryland State Board of Education. (2023, November 14). ACLU of Maryland.

https://www.aclu-md.org/en/bradford

Educational equity. (n.d.). https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Pages/EEE/index.aspx

EQUITYAND EXCELLENCE. (n.d.).

https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Documents/EEE/MSDEEquityGuidebook.p

df.

Ethics Policy - Charles County Public Schools. (n.d.). Www.ccboe.com. Retrieved November

10, 2023, from https://www.ccboe.com/staff/myccps/documents/ethics-policy

Pijanowski, J. C. P. (2017). School finance as a moral dilemma - ed.

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1169361.pdf

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND COMMUNICATION OF NORMS 10

Publisher, A. R. a. R. O. O. (2016, April 8). Issues and problems in education. Pressbooks.

https://pressbooks.howardcc.edu/soci101/chapter/16-4-issues-and-problems-in-education/

San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez. (n.d.). Oyez. Retrieved November 18, 2023,

from https://www.oyez.org/cases/1972/71-1332