Tough Choices for Teachers: Ethical Challenges in Today's Schools and Classrooms

From lesson-planning to instructional practice to classroom management, teachers must make choices constantly and consistently. Sometimes these decisions are easy, but there are some decisions that are very difficult. Such delicate decisions often arise in the world of education and may be detrimental to one's career. Thoughtful decision-making should be part of every educator's daily experience. In this book, the authors help student teachers, new teachers, and experienced teachers think more deeply about ethical concerns. The case studies included by the authors involve ethical dilemmas dealing with honesty, integrity, and proper professional behavior. Thinking through these scenarios based in actual situations, educators are trained in ethical decision-making processes and necessary skills for dealing with problems that arise in K-2 schooling. Contents include: (1) A Note to the Reader; (2) A Note to the Instructor; (3) Thinking about Ethics; (4) Approaches to Ethical Decision-Making; (5) Case One: The Truth and Its Consequences; (6) Case Two: Playing by the Rules; (7) Case Three: Time Constraints; (8) Case Four: Many Are Called, One Is Chosen; (9) Case Five: Property Matters; (10) Case Six: Credit and Where It Is Due; (11) Case Seven: Making the Grade; (12) Case Eight: Religion, Politics, and Delicate Curriculum Subjects; (13) Case Nine: Relationship Red Flags; (14) Case Ten: The Dating Game; (15) Case Eleven: Sex and the Single Teacher; (16) Case Twelve: Character Matters; and (17) Epilogue.