Sunday, May 9, 2010
Teacher Behavior
As principal you have a suspension that one of your teachers is getting too close to a student of the opposite sex. Although you have no specific evidence, you have some suspicions and rumors or supporting those suspicions. The rumors indicate that none of this alleged activity is occurring during school time and the student is 18 years old. How do you handle this situation?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I would mention for all teachers to revisit the policy manual for having a relationship with students while the student is still enrolled in the school setting. Not that I am saying anything is going on, but just to remind them that reviewing policy manuals periodically is a good refresher.
ReplyDeleteIf things do not change then a meeting with the individual teacher would be warranted. As an administrator you are there first and foremost to ensure all students the best education possible and keeping them safe is very important.
I would take an upfront approach. I would talk to the teacher and share with him that there are some rumors going around about his relationship with a student. Regardless of his response I would remind him of our policy on student relationships and the consequences for violating them. If he said that it was true, I would try to counsel him and ask him to stop seeing this student.
ReplyDeleteI would talk to the teacher privately about the issue. If they deny it then I would end the conversation with a stern reminder that student-teacher relationships are forbidden and could be grounds for dismissal and then I would let it go. If they admit to seeing/dating/being in a relationship with a student, then they should be placed on administrative leave until I could speak with the student and sort out what is going on. The teacher would probably be released from their contract for immorality if an inappriate relationship is going on.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is important to remind the teacher of the policy. Although there is one specific teacher in question, it would be a good idea to require all teachers to keep up to date with the policies reviewing and refreshing yearly. I would talk to the teacher in question privately and directly reminding him or her of thew policy. My job is to keep all students safe and even the appearance of impropriety is unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteI agree that talking to the teacher in private and in a upfront manner as Angie suggested. A reminder of the policy and consequences woudl also be in order. However, one must not jump tp conclusions. Often rumors are just that, simply rumor. even though I have suspicions, I would give the teacher to benefit of the doubt until I have clear evidence.
ReplyDeleteI would also talk to the teacher privately about the issue as well as mention my reasons for discussing it with the teacher, whether it is from things I have seen or things I have heard. I would then listen to the teachers' side of the story. What they say would determine my next course of action. However, no matter what the response, I would remind the teacher that this type of behavior is not tolerated under any circumstances. The teacher needs to consider their ethical responsibility and integrity in any actions they have with a student. The teacher may want to be more aware of their action to see if could have possibly be misconstrued as this could effect their personal and professional life. If they are engaging in this type of behavior, then they must immediately be placed on leave until the situation can be investigated further.
ReplyDeleteI agree that all teachers should be reminded of policies yearly. I also agree with the comment that reviewing of policies when necessary is also beneficial. People are very busy and sometimes do not remember unless they are reminded. Personally, I would have a face to face meeting with the teacher to lay everything out on the table. I feel as an administrator people need to feel comfortable speaking to you about everything. In a non judgmental fashion, I would speak to the teacher regarding the rumors. I would also give the teacher the time to discuss any concerns s/he might have. Also,I would remind the teacher of the policy and clarify any confusion. If s/he needed to speak to me my door is always open. I would document my discussion with the teacher. Then, I would keep my eyes open and not act until I have proof either way.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the best plan of action is to take the teacher in question behind closed doors to discuss the matter. Since the accusations are only rumors it is imperative that I, as the administrator, do not rush to judgement and point an accusing finger at the teacher. I would present to him that I am worried about such rumors and hope that they are nothing more than heresay. I would then mention the consequences of such actions that would inevitablly affect the teacher if caught. I would ask him of his opinion and give him a chance to elaborate on his/her side of the story. As soon as the meeting was over I would document the incident so that I have records of our meeting. Further, I would keep an eye on the teacher's behavior with the supposed student for any inappropriate behavior on school grounds. I would also call the superintendent to inform him/her that there are only rumors right now about the situation just as a heads up in case the situation turned for the worse.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with everyone else that the teacher needs to be confronted (behind closed doors). Although it is a rumor, this is a situation that could get very bad, very quickly. I would explain to the teacher that I have heard some rumors regarding them and a student and would ask them whether it was rumor or factual. Polict manual would be present in the meeting if we needed to refer to it. I would also explain that these rumors say the activity is not occuring during school and even though the student may be a "legal" age of 18 to society any form of relationship in or out of school is inappropriate while they are a student at the school. This would be a warning and would be documented in the teachers file. I would also let the teacher know this. If you aren't stern enough and let the teacher walk off with a "slap on the hand" things could get out of hand. The teacher needs to know that the way they may be talking or enteracting with the student is sending signals to others.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above-mentioned posts that the alleged teacher needs to have a meeting with his/her particular evaluator/principal. One of the ways a teacher can be fired is on a morals charge. As an administrator, I would inform the teacher of what you know already, and give him/her a chance to reply. If one feels like they want to document this -- do so or even have another administrator there as a witness. With cameras in most schools now, I, as an administrator, would be monitoring these more closely now to see if this teacher and particular student are having anything inappropriate on school grounds. I would also check his/her school computer to see if anything is on the hard drive that could further prove this case. Have we not heard about teacher's getting fired for just posting stuff on their facebook??
ReplyDeleteLike the others who have commented, I also believe that this is a private matter that should first be discussed with the teacher in private. Rumors are exactly that, and should be considered as such until further investigation has been completed. The teacher should be questioned, and regardless of response, sternly reminded of school policy and the legal, moral, and ethical issues that could arise from a situation of this nature. I also believe that speaking with the student would also be a benefit at this point and may prevent further difficulties. If the rumors prove factual, the teacher would certainly be released from employment.
ReplyDeleteISLLC standard 5, with the professional code of ethics, is one of the many standards that really tie into this Blog. I agree with many suggestions that are listed above me. I would definitely treat it as a rumor but one with serious consequences and meet with the teacher. I would be open with the teacher about what is being said. I would not reveal who told me the information. I would listen and take notes as to what was said by the teacher in response. I would have a witness with me. I would recommend that if the teacher was seeing the student that he/she stop immediately. The teacher is being naïve to imagine that no one will find out about it and for the good of the whole school community he/she needs to never date a student again. I would let the superintendent know about the potential problem with the staff member and student. I would have the computer checked. I would add one more thing. I would check to make sure that the student is 18. If she is a minor then there are child protection issues.
ReplyDeleteIt is my job as principal to promote and protect the welfare and safety of student and staff (ISLLC Standard 3, C.)In this situation, the student AND teacher are in jeopardy. If the allegation is a rumor, it must be extinguished immediately. The rumor could do damage to both reputations within their community. If the allegation is true, then I must go into protection mode on behalf of the student. The teacher knows the ramification of such behavior and they are simply taking advantage of the naivity of this teenager. If true, after taking all of the legal steps necessary and with the help of the superintendent, the teacher will no longer have a job and will most likely be looking for a new career.
ReplyDeleteIn dealing with middle/high students at my school we stress "boundaries". We teach this to the students and also stress it when we see a violation. Our school rule is students may NOT touch each other. When teachers see students touching, they say "boundaries" and the students know that they are too close. I have used this 'technique' when I see students together, and they immediately, separate. Boundaries work well with students.
ReplyDeleteWith the suspicion that a teacher may be involved with a student, I would start with a lesson for all students covering boundaries and be sure to cover what to do if an adult over steps the boundaries.
As Principal, I would also be sure to watch the teacher and their interaction with the student when they are in school. I would also ask the guidance counselor to see if they can speak with the student in question and determine if they have any questions or concerns.
As Principal, I would also meet with the teacher and discuss the rumor that I have heard. I would stress with the teacher the rules and expectations of being a teacher.
I would remind faculty of perception and use recent news stories as my prompt. I would reiterate how the unfolding of recent events make it more important than ever that we are cautious about how we are perceived. I would tell my staff for student and staff protection we needed to review school policies/rules on boundaries and relationships.
ReplyDeleteI would also make sure that the specific student's schedule was structured so that no contact with this teacher occurs. Extra and ongoing observations would take place to assure nothing is going on inappropriate.
With no evidence, I can't make a direct confrontation, but for the student's safety, I have to make their school day safe, even if it means extra precautions directed toward all teachers.
Sherry Greer
As an educational leader, I think it is important to "investigate" the rumors concerning this teacher. I would meet with the teacher and be direct about the rumors and get their response. This meeting would be to protect the teacher and the welfare of the student. I would remind the teacher of the policies that are in place concerning the boundaries that are appropriate between a student and a teacher. I will be clear with the teacher that they have an ethical and professional responsibility to not be involved in a relationship with a student. I would also make sure that the teacher understands that if the rumors prove to be true that I will investigate the legality of dismissal.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there is no evidence at this time that the teacher has shown any impropriety with respect to a student, the rumors are still an issue that needs to be addressed. I would talk with the teacher in private in a non-threatening manner about the rumors, as he/she may not even be aware of them. I would discuss policy and related consequences with the teacher. If the teacher denies the rumored inappropriate closeness with the 18 year old that is said to be occurring outside of school, I would suggest that the teacher make a conscious effort to keep a distance between himself/herself and the student. If the teacher acknowledges any truth to the rumors, he/she will be placed on administrative leave while the situation is investigated further.
ReplyDeleteI would discuss the situation with the teacher and have them look up in our county's policy manual what our policy is on the subject. After addressing it with the teacher, I would make my superintendent aware of the possible situation just so they would be prepared when confronted with the situation instead of allowing them to be "blindsided".
ReplyDeleteSince I am committed to promoting the success of each student, I must give this matter serious attention. It is an administrator's obligation to establish and secure a safe and orderly environment conducive to learning. Rumors, if allowed to run rampant, can have the ability to seriously obstruct our environments of learning and even impact our school culture.
ReplyDeleteThere is a possibility of this situation leading to serious consequences which would undoubtedly impact the school. Thus, I would first contact my supervisor(s) in central office to debrief regarding these rumors. During this conversation I would request to have an administrator from central office sit in on my initial confrontation with this teacher. Together we would call the teacher into my office to inform/discuss with him/her these rumors-preferably after school hours to alleviate the possibility of disrupting instruction. I would ask the teacher to provide me with his/her side of the story and chain of events to allow due process of law.
Findings from this discussion would further direct my steps of action; however I would undoubtedly contact my supervisors/mentors in central office to report my findings. Further dealings in this situation would most likely be handled in personnel, but my responsibility would be to serve as the steward of our vision and keeper of the school culture. I would disclose only pertinent information to the faculty and refocus our efforts on our chief notion, “students first.”
Tracey and Josh have good appoaches that I too would consider using. All teachers need to be reminded of the policy and consequences, especially to one's career.
ReplyDeleteThen, if the specific teacher can reasonably be surmised, a private meeting, where I would be openly available while encouraging the teacher to share what is going on.
But I also agree with Josh that my own supervisor should be kept informed as to the cicrumstances. No administrator likes to be surprised by controversy.
It is my job to become informed and to evaluate the situation, then my decisions might change depending on information I gleen from the teacher.
Above all, I must keep the student in mind, and future students of our school. This teacher might need to be reassigned, sanctioned or dismissed. It is completely unacceptable and an extremely serious situation.
I believe that innapropriate teacher and student relationships should be taken very seriously because of the effects that the relationship can have on both the child involved and the school's reputation. As an administrator, the duty to keep children safe is represented in ISLLC standard 3.
ReplyDeleteI would immediately speak with the teacher regarding the rumors to investigate the relationship and remind the teacher of our responsibility to protect children. Separately, I would speak to the student to get his/her side of the story. During this time, I would document the information given by having the student write their statement. Because of the severity of this rumor, I would contact my supervisor for additional support and to provide them with the information collected. Should we feel that the rumor needs to be further investigated, the teacher would be placed on leave.
As a leader, I would ask the teacher to have a meeting with me and explain the rumors that are going around. I would also remind the teacher about school policies in place with this particular behavior and explain that they are putting themselves in a compromising situation. As principal, you definitely want your faculty to respect your judgement in handling matters like this. If the teacher continues the behavior, you will need to take action to make sure no students are harmed in any way. With these types of rumors, parents are going to become very concerned and vocal with their opinions. You must act as an ethical/moral leader in this situation. Of most importance, is doing what is best for the students!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of the before statements. I do believe that as an administrator the student comes first and you are responsible for the learning community. I would have a meeting with the teacher and strongly encourage him/her to stop all relations with the said student. I would then suspend the teacher so that he/she can take some time to think about what they were doing and the ramifications around their choices. I would contact the student's parents and assure them that we are protecting handling the matter, and I would contact central office and notify them of the situation, as well. I would make sure that I was following the policy manual. I would want to handle this situation with integrity, but fairly, and in an ethical way, ensuring the safety of the student's learning environment.
ReplyDeleteI would also have a meeting with the teacher and let him know of the rumors that I had been hearing. I would discuss with that teacher the importance of keeping ourselves out of these situations where rumors can even get started.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, the suggestions to require all teachers to review school policies is an excellent idea. I would then sit down with the teacher and discuss the allegations with the teacher. Regardless of the age of the student, they are just that, a student. This is a major moral and ethical violation if it is true. If the teacher admits it, further actions will take place in collaboration with the superintendent of schools to insure the situation is handled according to the county policy manual. If they deny it, I will suggest that they avoid contact with that person outside of normal classroom contact if the teacher teaches that student. I would also be sure to document the rumors, and the discussion that we have in case something further comes of the situation.
ReplyDeleteI would ask the teacher and tell him/her that I had been receiving rumors from different people. I would inform the teacher about what our county policy has to say about the subject, making sure he/she knew there was a zero tolerance policy. I would definitely make sure my superintendent was aware of the situation.
ReplyDelete