Since the term “professionalism” is such a general word, the Manitoba Teachers’ Society decided to create a Code of Professional Practice so that all teachers in Manitoba have the same working definition of “professionalism.”
For the most part, the thirteen standards are common sense. The only one that I find a bit confusing is the eighth standard. It says “A teacher shall not be considered in contravention of the Code in … consulting with the Society or the president of the member’s local association” (MTS Code of Professional Practice, 2007). I understand that we, as teachers, should not tell everyone our problems with fellow colleagues and students, but I think we should be able to talk to our principals if there is a problem between colleagues. Sometimes people just need to vent and get their thoughts out in order to feel better. Sometimes, you just need someone to tell you that you are worrying about it too much. I think that going to your principal to talk and let them know about the situation would sometimes produce a better result. I also think telling your principal would keep the situation on friendly terms, as the principal would want to keep the atmosphere at the school positive. Going directly to MTS or the president of your local association could make the situation bigger than it needs to be.
On the other hand, I think that MTS is doing a good job of keeping issues between colleagues confidential and they are dealing with them in the best way that works for them. Maybe only talking to MTS or your local president is the best solution, and that has been proven many times before. Whatever the reason, I think the Code of Professional Practice is good to have and follow.
Hey, Brittany. You're right. That rule is one of the things that sets teachers apart from some other parts of society. As a professional, I know that it is written the way that I would want it written. I wouldn't want one of my colleagues to complain about me to my boss without trying to resolve the issue with me first. As the principal, it was one of the things that I had to be 'super' responsible about. It would have been SO easy to invite people into chat. I had to teach myself to ask first, "Have you talked to your colleague about the issue?" It was hard to get used to understanding myself as 'the boss' rather than as a caring colleague.
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