Ethical Solutions

In schools across the country, teachers and administrators are faced with ethical dilemmas each and every day. As leaders in the early childhood field, how we handle these dilemmas will largely impact our students and their families, our staff, and the school as a whole. No matter what the dilemma may be, our job is to take an ethical stance and ensure that teachers alike are upholding those values. When ethics are in question, as leaders we must step in and take action. This action thus ensures that children are provided care and education in settings that are safe and responsive for each child. When we do this, we are exhibiting the first pillar of becoming a Whole Teacher, practicing intentional teaching.

To begin this assignment, you are asked to view the two case studies below.

Case Study 1:

The school has been buzzing all week in preparation for the upcoming multicultural parade. As the supervisor, you are thrilled with the wonderful classroom and hallway displays that represent how your school embraces and values each and every culture. As you are outside one of the kindergarten classrooms looking at the display, you overhear a conversation between the teacher and her teaching assistant. In the conversation, the teacher expresses her unhappiness about having to teach about other cultures, and how she feels that children should have to embrace the American culture.  

As the supervisor you are not only surprised, but concerned that this teacher’s personal belief will impact her conduct with her students. Your school’s mission is deeply rooted in an anti-bias education, so you realize that you will have to discuss this issue with the teacher.

Case Study 2:

As a school supervisor you conduct observations on your staff three times per year. In preparation for your upcoming observation of Mrs. Cady, you decide to review your notes on previous observations of her. In your review, you observe several notes regarding Mrs. Cady’s impatience with several boys in her class, along with numerous notes on how well Mrs. Cady handles all other members of the classroom.  

During the current observation of Mrs. Cady you begin to note again that Mrs. Cady appears impatient with the boys in her class. You observe how children are paired for their stations, with two girls and one boy in a group.  As one group is working at their station, an argument breaks out between Trevor and Alia. Mrs. Cady walks across the room and places Trevor in the time-out corner and reminds Alia to continue her project. In another station, after having Stella take his glue, Dominic (who had been raising his hand for some time) begins to yell for Mrs. Cady. She reprimands him for talking so loudly, and requires him to return to his table and put his head down. In the block station Amare is so excited that he was able to build the tallest tower that he begins to jump up and down, knocking over Kira’s tower. Mrs. Cady reprimands Amare for being “mean” to Kira and sends him to his table where he is instructed to put his head down.  

As this is her third and final observation of the year, you begin to see a trend with Mrs. Cady and the need to address this issue.

Assignment Directions:

For this assignment you will pose an ethical solution to one of the chosen case studies. Your assignment must include the following:

• State which case study you chose and your rationale for choosing it. (0.5 points)
• Summarize your role as the leader of this school in fostering the knowledge and skills of your staff. (1 point)
• Explain how you will handle the delicate nature of this topic. How will you stand firm in your expectations while still showing respect and care for the teacher? (1 point) 
• Explain, from a leaders perspective, how you will incorporate the principles from the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct into your discussion with this teacher. (1.5 points)
• Integrate current research as support for why it is important that adjustments are made in this classroom, and the overall impact those changes will have on children’s growth and development. You must include at least two scholarly peer reviewed resources to defend your stance on why adjustments must be made. (1 point) 
• Propose specific, evidenced-based strategies that can be used in the classroom to promote either an anti-bias or gender-neutral approach to teaching. (2 points)
• Generate a goal for the teacher for the implementation of these strategies and adjustments. Include a time-frame for the teacher’s implementation of the strategies, and how you will support the teacher in making these changes. (1 point)

Research and Resource Expectations:

• Source Requirement (.75 points): 
  • At least two scholarly peer-reviewed sources
  • At least one professional credible source

Writing and Formatting Expectations:

• Title Page: Must include a separate title page with the following:
  • Title of paper
  • Student’s name
  • Course name and number
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date submitted
• Academic Voice (.25 points): Academic voice is used (avoids casual language, limited use of “I”, it is declarative).
• Purpose and Organization: (.25 points): Demonstrates logical progression of ideas.
• Syntax and Mechanics ( .25points): Writing displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• APA Formatting (.25 points): Papers are formatted properly and all sources are cited and referenced in APA style as outlined in the
• Suggested Assignment Length (.25 points): This assignment should be three to four double-spaced pages in length (not including title and reference pages).

PLEASE FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS.