Texas Administrative Code

TITLE 19
EDUCATION
PART 7
STATE BOARD FOR EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION
CHAPTER 247
EDUCATORS' CODE OF ETHICS
RULE 247.2
Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators
(3) Ethical Conduct Toward Students
(H) Standard 3.8. The educator shall maintain appropriate professional educator-student
relationships and boundaries based on a reasonably prudent educator standard.
I chose this standard because I feel its verbiage incorporates most all of the other codes
of ethics. By using language such as appropriate professional, relationships and boundaries,
and reasonably prudent it encompasses a broad spectrum of behaviors and attitudes
necessary and needed to maintain a healthy and safe environment for students. And although
this standard is under the Ethical Conduct toward Students it can very easily be applied to
conduct toward colleagues as well. I will focus on the educator-student dynamic and what
impact these choice words might have within a classroom.
To say that something must be appropriate in todays society is rather vague because
what one might view as appropriate another would certainly never consent to. When coupled
with the word professional, however, the word appropriate becomes very apparent and direct.
To say that someone is professional conveys an immediate visual of dress, speech, posture,
and action. A professional person takes their job seriously and conducts themselves
appropriately so as to maintain that level of professionalism in the work place. The same should
be true for a teacher. Teaching can be fun, but it is first a career. Suitable dress codes must be
met, proper speech should be considered, and certainly a teachers actions should not stray
from appropriate professionalism even in the midst of a fun lesson. As the head of the
classroom, the teacher sets examples and standards first by appearance, second by speech,
and third by their actions. First impressions take seconds, followed by the first things to come
out of your mouth, and finally the actions to take in maintaining your classroom. It goes without
saying that appropriate professional includes but is not limited to not soliciting or engaging in
sexual conduct with students, not furnishing alcohol or drugs to minors, not reveling confidential
information about students, etc. All of these things have an impact on the dynamics of your
classroom.
The next part of the standard is the most important because it involves educator-student
relationships and boundaries which are key to a healthy and productive classroom. Being
appropriate and professional are important but in dealing with other people and especially
children building relationships and boundaries is of higher importance. The very definition of a
relationship is a connection between people, and that must happen for any kind of positive,
productive, interaction to occur in the classroom. A teacher cannot be disconnected from their
students and expect the highest level of performance, quite the opposite is needed. Students
want to feel like their ideas and opinions matter, and that their goals of learning and passing
matter to the teacher. If a teacher is not trying to build those relationships and rapport with their
students the atmosphere of the classroom changes and the educator-student connection is lost.
Along with those relationships are necessary boundaries. Boundaries are healthy for everyone.
Yes, a teacher must build relationships, but appropriate professional relationships. This means

that the teacher is open to thoughts, ideas, and concerns, but maintains leadership over the
classroom. A teacher is not there to make friends; they are there to teach students. Being
friendly is different than being friends. Boundaries establish those criteria. A teacher should be
considerate, amiable, and concerned for the well-being of their students, but to an appropriate
degree. Kids will test those boundaries because that is what kids do, but it is the teachers
responsibility to establish and maintain them.
There are almost always exceptions to every rule and the last part of this ethical
standard absorbs that nicely. That the above shall be maintained based on a reasonably
prudent educator standard. This means that personal judgment and caution is used in
discerning situations. To be reasonable eliminates the extreme. You address a situation not
solely on the rules but on a reasonable evaluation of the individual occurrence. A student may
come into a classroom with hidden troubles and without consideration, treating their situation
like any other may cause further detriments. That is where the relationship aspect comes into
play and thus allowing for open communication and appropriate devolvement. Not every
situation will need special attention, but there will be a time when it is vital to a students growth
in the class. The word prudent sums up the last part of the standard by ascertaining caution,
discreetness, and circumspect to every situation. A teacher must be sure that all levels of
appropriate professional boundaries are being maintained while still being available in the
educator-student relationship. Being discreet does not mean being sneaky, but confidential of
student information unless something serious needs to be reported of course.
A healthy and safe environment will not only be established but maintained in multiple
areas of ethics under this standard. To be professionally appropriate in your dress, speech, and
actions without taking away from the relationships you create with students is not an easy task.
Children need guidance and direction from an adult that truly seeks their better interests for the
future. A teacher must lead their students away from volatile situations as much as possible that
could hinder healthy growth. Maintaining this standard would most certainly cover that and
many of the other standards mentioned in the Texas Code of Ethics for Educators.