Summer 2006 - The member magazine of the Elementary Teachers

Sharing Personal Information Wit– When is it just ‘Too Much InformPROFESSIONAL RELATIONS SERVICESA grade 5 teacher was leading his class in a study of the novel Island of the Blue Dolphins when theycame across the word ‘faggot,’ meaning, in this case, a bundle of twigs. The class snickered and therewere some asides. “Some people would be offended to hear you say that,” the teacher remarked. “As agay male I am offended.”Was this teacher acting professionally?by Jerry DeQuetteville and Sharon O‘HalloranEducation Act Duties and ResponsibilitiesSection 264 of the Education Act describes your duty to provide moral leadershipthis way: “to inculcate by precept and example respect for religion andthe principles of Judaeo-Christian morality and the highest regard for truth,justice, loyalty, love of country, humanity, benevolence, sobriety, industry, frugality,purity, temperance and all other virtues.”This may seem like a tall order, out of step with our multicultural, modernsociety, but the spirit of these obligations remains. The law is meant toreinforce your instrumental role in the moral guidance of vulnerable youngpeople both in your teaching and in the example you set.When examining whether or not a disclosure of personal information isappropriate the employer would often look at four factors: your motivation,the age of the students, the type of information shared and the localcommunity.MotivationA teacher who is going through a difficult divorce and shares the detailswith students could face an allegation of inappropriate professional activity.This person may need to talk about the situation with somebody butthere are other more appropriate supports.However, the motivation may be educational. A teacher who overhearda student being teased for being in a single parent family, could say: “I’m asingle parent; it is not my child’s fault. What you said to X is hurtful.” Thisshould be interpreted as relevant self-disclosure. However, the employermight question the extent of the disclosure if the teacher dwelt on theissue.Jerry DeQuetteville and Sharon O‘Halloran are ETFO staff in Professional Relations.Age of StudentsMany people believe that children should beprotected from certain issues and informationuntil they are the right age. As educators weunderstand that children develop differently sorigid rules are inappropriate.We also know that within reason, parentsshould make decisions about what is appropriatefor their children. However, in the publiceducation system we deal with issues that someparents will feel are never appropriate. Theyhave tried hard to prevent teachers from usingmaterials such as those that deal with same-sexpartnerships or diverse family structures.The Ontario curriculum, the Ontario Collegeof Teachers’ standards of the teaching profession,and the competencies set out in the teacher performanceappraisal process require teachers to teachfor diversity to ensure that all students feel theyare represented in the classroom. It is the board’sresponsibility to deal with parent objections and tosupport staff in carrying out their duties.Generally, sensitive information should notbe shared with children in the early years. Manyboards have developed specific guidelines fordealing with sensitive issues in the classroom.Teachers should be aware of and comply withthem.32 etfo voice SUMMER 2006