The Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association Code of Ethics
The Code of Professional Practice shall apply to all members and the term “teacher” as used in this code includes all members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association. This statement, arrived at by consensus of the Association, does not attempt to define all items of acceptable practice but rather to serve as a guide. Both individual and collective actions taken by members of any professional group may enhance or detract from the status of that profession; NLTA members are expected to be aware of this and to observe general principles of professional practice. (Note: The Code of Professional Practice shall not apply in the case of a teacher who, in good faith, provides statements or evidence to a Court of Law, an Arbitration Board, the NLTA Professional Relations Commission, the NLTA Disciplinary Committee, or any body or official duly authorized by the NLTA.)
TEACHER-PUPILS
(i) A teacher’s first professional responsibility is to the enhancement of the quality of education provided to the pupils in their charge.
(ii) A teacher regards as confidential, and does not divulge, other than to appropriate persons, any information of a personal or domestic nature concerning either pupils or their homes.
(iii) A teacher keeps teaching as objective as possible in discussing with the class the controversial matters whether political, religious or racial.
(iv) A teacher does not knowingly misuse their professional position for personal profit in the offering of goods or services to pupils or to their parents.
(v) A teacher does not accept pay for tutoring their own pupils in the subject in which that teacher gives classroom instruction.
(vi) A teacher accepts that the intellectual, moral, physical and social welfare of their pupils is the chief aim and end of education.
(vii) A teacher recognizes that a privileged relationship exists between the teacher and their pupils and shall never exploit this relationship.
(viii) A teacher who has reason to suspect that a child has suffered, or is suffering, from abuse that may have been caused or permitted by any person shall forthright report the suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities. [This section applies notwithstanding section (ii) under Teacher-Colleagues.]
TEACHER-EMPLOYER
(i) A teacher does not disregard a contract, written or verbal, with a school board.
(ii) A teacher does not apply for a specific teacher’s position that is not yet vacant.
(iii) A teacher does not accept a position with an employer whose relations with the Professional Organization have been declared in dispute.
TEACHER-COLLEAGUES
(i) A teacher reports through proper channels all matters harmful to the welfare of the school. They do not bypass immediate authority to reach higher authority without first exhausting the proper channels of communication.
(ii) A teacher does not criticize the professional competence or professional reputation of a colleague, except to proper officials and then only in confidence and after the colleague has been informed of the criticism.
(iii) A teacher notifies any other teacher whose pupils they propose to tutor on a regular basis.
(iv) Teachers do not take any individual or collective action which is prejudicial to the Association, to other members of the Association, or to the profession generally.
(v) A teacher does not knowingly undermine the confidence of pupils in other teachers.
(vi) A teacher submits to the Association disputes arising from professional relationships with colleagues which cannot be resolved by personal discussion.
(vii) A teacher, before making any report on the professional competence of a colleague, provides that colleague with a copy of the report and forwards with it any written comment that the colleague chooses to make.
(viii) A teacher who is in an administrative or supervisory position makes an honest and determined effort to help and counsel another teacher before subscribing to the dismissal of that teacher.
(ix) A teacher does not actively oppose the presentation to higher authority of matters duly agreed upon by fellow teachers, except by formal minority report.
TEACHER-PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
(i) A teacher acts in a manner which maintains the honor and dignity of the profession.
(ii) A teacher assists in the professional growth of colleagues through the sharing of ideas and information.
(iii) A teacher makes a constant and consistent effort to improve professionally.
TEACHER-PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION
(i) A teacher, or group of teachers, does not make unauthorized representation to outside bodies on behalf of the Association or its local branches.
(ii) A teacher does not refuse to follow Association directions under a legitimate job action.
(iii) A teacher adheres to collective agreements negotiated by their professional organization.
(iv) A teacher recognizes, as a professional responsibility, service to the Association at the local and provincial levels.
(v) A teacher who has requested representation by the Association honors commitments made on their behalf.
(vi) A teacher recognizes the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association as the official voice of teachers on all matters of a professional nature.
TEACHER-PARENTS
(i) A teacher seeks to establish friendly and cooperative relationships with the home and to provide parents with information that will serve the best interests of their children.
