1P00CZ90: Value Competence (Blog-1)

The ethical principles that govern the work of a teacher

New America created eight common abilities of culturally responsive educators by fusing knowledge from a significant study on culturally relevant, responsive, and sustainable pedagogies (see Figure 1).

Source: Teacher Competencies that Promote Culturally Responsive Teaching (https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/reports/culturally-responsive-teaching/teacher-competencies-that-promote-culturally-responsive-teaching/)

Based on the ethical competence of "New America", I always comprehend the ethical principles that govern the work of a teacher.

I comprehend the ethical principles that govern the work of a teacher

I comprehend the ethical principles that govern the work of a teacher through a deep understanding of the values and ethical guidelines essential in the educational field. The professional pedagogy course has been instrumental in helping me identify and reach this competence goal. In this course, I learned to carefully consider these principles, ensuring they guide my teaching practices and research endeavors. For instance, while conducting research on inclusive education, I encountered the need to address diverse student needs sensitively and equitably, a principle emphasized in the Finnish educational context. Finland's National Core Curriculum underscores the importance of fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive learning environment (Finnish National Agency for Education, 2020).

In my teaching experience, I have applied these principles by creating differentiated lesson plans that accommodate students with varying learning abilities and backgrounds, ensuring each student receives the necessary support to succeed. Additionally, I have maintained confidentiality and trust by handling students' personal information with the utmost discretion, especially when dealing with sensitive family or personal issues. Through the professional pedagogy course, I engaged with case studies and ethical dilemmas that mirrored real-world challenges, which helped me internalize these ethical principles and apply them effectively in my professional practice. These experiences have reinforced the significance of ethical behavior in teaching, helping me contribute positively to the educational community while upholding the high standards set by the Finnish education system.

These ethical principles serve as guidelines for the behavior and decision-making of my teaching career and this is essential for maintaining trust and respect in the classroom and educational community.

Reference:

1. New America published Culturally Responsive Teaching: A Reflection Guide, 2020. https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/reports/culturally-responsive-teaching/teacher-competencies-that-promote-culturally-responsive-teaching/

2. Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI). (2020). National Core Curriculum for Basic Education 2014. Retrieved from EDUFI website

3. Husu, J., & Tirri, K. (2007). Developing whole school pedagogical values – A case of going through the ethos of "good schooling". Teaching and Teacher Education, 23(4), 390-401.

4. Tirri, K. (2010). Teacher values underlying professional ethics. In S. G. Grant (Ed.), International encyclopedia of education (3rd ed., pp. 618-622).