SCENARIO 1: Mr. Armstrong is a 3rd grade Language Arts teacher at Cold Creek Elementary. He shares students with his teaching partner, Mrs. Long, who teaches Math, Science and Social Studies. These two teachers have been
teaching partners for several years and have shared personal information with each other as it pertains to their work and home life. Recently, Mrs. Long confided in Mr. Armstrong about difficulties she is having with medication she takes for anxiety, and she let him know that she would be missing school to go to a doctor’s appointment for help with the issue.
While Mrs. Long was out for her appointment, Mr. Armstrong told the substitute, who is also a parent of a student who attends Cold Creek Elementary, that Mrs. Long would probably be needing her several more times in the
upcoming weeks, saying specifically that she would be visiting the doctor until she gets her anxiety controlled by her
medications. Mr. Armstrong’s purpose in speaking to the substitute was only to secure her for upcoming days because he prefers to have consistency for the students.
Questions:
1. Identify the behaviors that you believe violate standards in the Educator Code of Ethics.
2. Which standards do you think were violated? Explain your reasoning.
3. What different choices or actions could Mr. Armstrong have made to act in accordance with the code of
ethics?
Scenario 1 Sample Response:
Mr. Armstrong violated the Texas Educator Code of Ethics Standard 2.1 when he shared confidential health information about his colleague, Mrs. Long. Standard 2.1 states “The educator shall not reveal confidential health or personnel
information concerning colleagues unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.” While Mr. Armstrong’s motives might be good, to secure the substitute so his students have consistency, he should not have
disclosed the health information his teaching partner shared in confidence. He could have alerted the substitute that her services might be needed more in the upcoming days and not shared anything else. By revealing the health information,
Mr. Armstrong violated the code of ethics. If the services of the substitute were going to be needed, Mr. Armstrong could just tell the substitute that they
appreciate how well she works with the kids and hope as opportunities arise, that she can be available. This is the type of response required in both scenarios for Task 1. You must respond to each scenario.
Effective Communication with Parents: Read the scenario in part 2 regarding the parent communication.
Respond to the parent in a paragraph or two. Your response should reflect effective communication skills such as setting
aside judgement and remaining calm. Address the parent’s concerns and assert yourself through your values. Use
professional language, spelling and grammar.
Task 2 Sample Scenario
As a sixth-grade social studies teacher, Mr. Everson knows that students working on group projects is an enjoyable, meaningful way for students to learn content and also learn how to work together on a team. Once a six weeks, students are assigned a group and must complete a group presentation on the content learned that six weeks. He allows students time in class to work on the presentation. The group is graded on the presentation, and also on the individual work done by each team member.
TNT 700.1PBP SAMPLE RESPONSE TASK 1
TNT 700.1PBP SAMPLE RESPONSE TASK 2
Recently, he noticed that one group had two members, Jesse and Liz, who were talking and laughing and playing games
during group time. The other students in the group, Alana and Sam were getting visibly frustrated at having to do all the
work and kept complaining that everyone was not doing their fair share.
After reprimanding Jesse and Liz multiple times, Mr. Everson decided to call both sets of parents to let them know that
the students were behaving inappropriately and not working. Both parents agreed to talk with their children and
expected them to be better. Mr. Everson felt that the issue had been resolved.
The next day, Mr. Everson received the following email from Mrs. Davis, Alana’s parent.
Mr. Everson, I received a phone call from Liz’s mom last night. She told me that you had punished Liz because
Alana complained that Liz wasn’t working. She said you blamed Liz’s poor behavior on Alana and that if Alana hadn’t complained, you probably wouldn’t have even noticed it. I am furious that you would use my child as a
scapegoat for another child’s misbehavior. Alana works very hard to keep good grades, and previously enjoyed your class. I don’t know why you thought you could bring my child into your poor classroom management issues,
but if you were having issues with Liz, I don’t know why you blamed Alana. Was this your way of staying on Liz’s mom’s good side? Everyone knows she is a gossip, and that Liz is always in
