Standards of Ethical Conduct | Ember Academy Of Flo

Standards and Policies of Ethical Conduct

Adapted from Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida Rule 6A-10.081, Florida Administrative Code, Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida for Ember Academy of Florida.

Ember Academy of Florida community shall be guided by the following ethical principles:

(a) The educator values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to personal and others’ growth and safety, excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of lifelong learning in a natural setting. Essential to the achievement of these standards is the freedom to learn and to teach and provide equitable opportunity and access for all.

(b) The educator’s primary professional concern will always be focused on the growth and development of the whole child. The educator will therefore strive for professional excellence and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity within a safe and nourishing environment.

(c) The educator will protect and maintain the respect and confidence of one’s colleagues, of students, of parents, and of other members of the community. This is foundational to the trust relationship necessary for effective learning communities consisting of staff, families and children.

Ember Academy of Florida professional and support staff shall protect and maintain the following management principles to ensure an environment free of hostility and behaviors that are detrimental to the school community. Violation of any of these policies shall subject the individual to investigation, reprimand, an improvement plan, potential criminal charges, termination and or revocation or suspension of the individual educator’s certificate, or the other penalties as provided by law at the discretion of school administration.

All professional and support staff:

Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student’s mental and/or physical health and/or safety including implementing all responsibilities and requirements of MANDATED REPORTER status.
Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.
Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view while supporting an inclusive and safe environment as the primary goal.
Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student’s legal rights.
Shall not discourage or prohibit parental notification of and involvement in critical decisions affecting a student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being unless the individual reasonably believes that disclosure would result in abuse, abandonment, or neglect as defined in Section 39.01, F.S.
Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex includes subjecting any student to training or instruction that espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels such student to believe any of the concepts listed in Section 1000.05(4)(a), F.S.
Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.

Employees, Volunteers and Administration of Ember Academy of Florida shall maintain standards of the highest professional and institutional integrity and respect for all and:

Shall maintain honesty in all professional activities and communication with all members of the school community.
Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise qualified, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization.
Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct within and outside the school community which unreasonably interferes with an individual’s performance of professional or work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education or which creates an hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.
Shall not submit fraudulent information on any document in connection with professional credentials or activities for their own or another’s professional position.
Shall not withhold information regarding a position from an applicant or misrepresent an assignment or conditions of employment.
Shall uphold a policy of required self-reporting within forty-eight (48) hours to appropriate authorities (as determined by district) any arrests/charges involving the abuse of a child or the sale and/or possession of a controlled substance. Such notice shall not be considered an admission of guilt nor shall such notice be admissible for any purpose in any proceeding, civil or criminal, administrative or judicial, investigatory or adjudicatory. In addition, shall self-report any conviction, finding of guilt, withholding of adjudication, commitment to a pretrial diversion program, or entering of a plea of guilty or Nolo Contendere for any criminal offense other than a minor traffic violation within forty-eight (48) hours after the final judgment. When handling sealed and expunged records disclosed under this rule, school districts shall comply with the confidentiality provisions of Sections 943.0585(4)(c) and 943.059(4)(c), F.S.
Shall align instructional practice with professional standards, expectations, responsibilities, instructional goals and evaluative processes with state and federal law and Montessori pedagogy within a culture of respect, compassion and professionalism.

Training Requirement

All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and administrators are required as a condition of employment to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct.

Reporting Misconduct by Instructional Personnel and Administrators

All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and school administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel, educational support employees, and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors. Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to Kate Aumua and Ellie Campbell. Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to school ownership.

Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services. Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student are posted in our Policy Handbook and online at www.emberacademyfl.com/standardsofethicalconduct.

Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect

All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call 1-800-96-ABUSE or report online at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/.

Signs of Physical Abuse

The child may have unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries; broken bones; or burns. A child experiencing physical abuse may seem withdrawn or depressed, seem afraid to go home or may run away, shy away from physical contact, be aggressive, or wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

The child may have torn, stained or bloody underwear, trouble walking or sitting, pain or itching in genital area, or a sexually transmitted disease. A child experiencing sexual abuse may have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively, fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed, gain or lose weight suddenly, shy away from physical contact, or run away from home.

Signs of Neglect

The child may have unattended medical needs, little or no supervision at home, poor hygiene, or appear underweight. A child experiencing neglect may be frequently tired or hungry, steal food, or appear overly needy for adult attention.

Patterns of Abuse

Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.

Liability Protections

Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by law, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S. 39.203)

An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under F.S. Chapter 760. (F.S. 768.095)