This is an ongoing series on The Worthy Educators’ Principles of Educator Agency and Efficacy and their implementation in our efforts to transform the profession. This piece addresses the non-negotiable right of principle 8, Integrity: engage us in our work without commercialization, politicization or any other cynical agenda. See the accompanying infographic below and share this resource with colleagues. We invite educators everywhere to join us in this important work!
With the influx of hardware, software and web-based technologies into schools, the door was open to let in the money, influence and industries that accompanied this explosion of technology onto the education landscape. Those of us in classrooms saw the possibilities for enhancing teaching, learning and global community-building with the affordances of these new tools, and the benefits are innumerable. Still, the integrity of our profession is under continual assault from the business interests that develop, market and support the infrastructure, connectivity and data that have become critical in the instructional and administrative needs of today’s schools and districts.
As educators, we want to be recognized for the noble work we do, caring for the children entrusted to our daily care, preparing them to become informed, engaged adults contributing to our local, national and global communities. To ensure this, classrooms, schools and district offices need to maintain a separation from the direct influence of the business and political interests that prioritize their bottom line over what is best for children and the professionals who serve them. The divide between the public and private sectors must be respected, and the bridges built between them must recognize and respect the charge of each. Education is not in the business arena and private industry does not measure success by human altruism.
As society continues to morph in the information age, educators and students are defining what public education looks like by meeting their current needs. While digital technology and artificial intelligence will continue to play an important role in supporting teaching and learning, the integrity of each individual as professional practitioner and growing learner must continue to be the focus of public education. This fundamental integrity of our human enterprise requires us to:
Lead effective, research-based teaching, learning and caring for students and their families
Ensure school sites are safe and conducive for student learning and well-being
Foster leaders who know and protect the standing of each of their staff, children and programs
Model ethical behaviors that recognize the human factor in education decisions
Create cultures of transparency and accountability for everyone involved
Identify and address inequities in the system to provide greater access to opportunity for all
Foster local community engagement in planning, programming and decision-making
Advocate for adequate funding for students, teachers and professional learning
Align school budgeting decisions with local values of what is best for children
Keep local school decision-making separate from outside business and political interests
By honoring each education professional, each student, and each community stakeholder as persons with unique needs, interests and rights as human beings, public education can retain its integrity through the protection of the dignity of each of us contributing to this institution that serves as a cornerstone of our democracy.
The Worthy Educator offers group and individual Championing to support you in realizing your full potential and achieving your goals.
Learn more, view testimonials, and join us here.
Comments