I'm glad Josh agrees with me. It's nice to be agreed with. Josh, you get a gold star for the day.
I think Christenbury brings up some valid points, as some others have pointed out. She says some things that may sound redundant to us, as it's constantly reinforced in ED classes and rhetoric. But it doesn't make it any less important. Teachers must act like professionals, at the very least; in some towns teachers must be the epitome of morality. No joke.
But the attitude I am concerned with is excessive caution out of fear. Last spring I received a mailing from the NEA about classroom ethics that included something to this effect: The most valuable and important asset you have as a teacher is your reputation. Don't ever do anything that might jeopardize it. Ever. It made me scared to death to be a teacher, as if I was going to accidentally brush up against some high school boy in the hallway, get sued for sexual harassment, be fired and retire humiliated to a hermitage in the woods.
Consider this: The actions we take as teachers, both on-duty and off-, contribute to our reputation. Build your reputation deliberately - don't let it happen to you by chance.
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A note on the title: A student at Willow Springs High School titled his presentation "Is your Child a Future Axe Murderer." This title had absolutely nothing to do with his presentation. He admitted that in his q&a session. He just wanted something to get people's attention.
It rally is scary how easy it is to make a simple mistake and blow your entire career. It's funny how we have to be the epitome of perfection while getting paid so little to do it, not only constantly worrying about our job but our private life as well...
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