Personnel - Ethics Statement

Whitley County School Employee's Ethics Statements (In our own words...)

A staff member should honor the high responsibility, which his or her membership demands by adhering to the following code of ethics. An effective educational program requires the services of men and women of integrity, high ideals, and human understanding.

A.  A staff member should always think in terms of "children first" by:
  1. Recognizing there is no higher calling in America than the education of its children.
  2. Treating student information in a confidential manner
  3. Being honest in interactions with them
  4. Making positive and encouraging comments
  5. Recognizing students do good work
  6. Creating an environment that is both caring and supportive for them
  7. Engaging students academically, applying the highest standards possible
  8. Respecting students for the human beings that they are
  9. Trusting students and, in return, asking students to trust them
  10. Conducting dialogues in the classroom that involve higher learning skills
  11. Engaging student minds by challenging them to think creatively
  12. Creating an environment in which students feel safe and secure

B.  A staff member must respect his or her relationship with other members of the staff by:
  1. Creating a positive environment in which every staff member can work
  2. Being honest with each other and, in return, expecting honesty from colleagues
  3. Recognizing the good work that is being done by faculty and staff
  4. Creating a caring environment that supports faculty and staff in the fulfillment of their mission
  5. Respecting each other and, in return, showing respect to every colleague
  6. Contributing towards creating a trusting environment
  7. Creating an environment in which staff is heard by the administrators
  8. Creating an environment in which the administrators are heard by the staff
  9. Constantly seeking ways to improve the learning environment for students
  10. Contributing to an environment that creates a sense of satisfaction for a job well done
  11. Creating an environment in which the faculty and staff feel that a difference is being made for every child in this school corporation
  12. Feeling safe and secure in the environment in which we work

C.  A staff member must meet his or her responsibilities to the community, state and nation by:
  1. Setting expectations for high student achievement
  2. Ensuring that these expectations are met for all students
  3. Achieving results always in an ethical, honest fashion
  4. Never taking shortcuts to achieve results
  5. Using technology in creative ways
  6. Respecting and following the school policy and procedures that have been established by the board and the community

D.  A staff member must recognize that attitudes are critical to the success of this organization by demonstrating:
  1. Cooperation
  2. Risk-taking
  3. Being open to communication - both receiving and sending information
  4. Being willing to brainstorm and think creatively as we look for ways to achieve better results for our students
  5. Contributing to the creation of an environment that is a comfortable place in which to work
  6. Being positive in the daily exchanges with colleagues
  7. Being collaborative and willing to share ideas with each other
  8. Thinking in terms of "the good of all" rather than any selfish needs
  9. Creating an environment that encourages people to be successful
  10. Being generous with smiles, laughter, and thanks to colleagues, peers and students
  11. Being willing to help other people in being successful
  12. Feeling needed by this organization as an important contributor to this school corporation
  13. Having clearly articulated, aligned corporation and school goals that are achievable
  14. Being proactive and confident in our ability to fulfill this mission
  15. Always demonstrating professional attitudes in the daily work environment
  16. Looking at all possibilities in every situation
  17. Discussing alternatives freely within a safe, supportive environment
  18. Feeling comfortable in approaching someone about a decision to discuss that decision in an open manner
  19. Being aware that how we reach a decision is at least as important as the decision itself
  20. Sharing appropriate information during the decision-making process and being willing to listen to the information that is being shared
  21. Helping create a culturally diverse staff
  22. Making decisions that can withstand public scrutiny
  23. Being willing to hear the truth even if the truth causes some uncomfortable moments
  24. Working for leaders that can describe ethical decisions
  25. Allowing people to make and learn from mistakes
  26. Receiving and giving positive feedback for ethical behavior
  27. Encouraging healthy debate for the important decisions and being sure that all stakeholders are involved in this decision-making process
  28. Accepting personal responsibility for our own actions
  29. Working for leaders that lead by example
  30. Creating ethical processes that flow from ethical behavior
  31. Being willing to accept sanctions when unethical behavior occurs