Professional Ethics of the Division of Early Childhood Education

As an educator we are all held to a standard as an professional should be.  Like many professionals we should hold ourselves to a higher standard than those who outside of the profession. The Division of Early Childhood Education has published a code of ethics that I find that helps to give me a moral compass that gives me a guiding light in my professional career. I wish to share them here...

* We shall demonstrate our respect and concern for children,families,  colleagues and others with whom we work honoring their beliefs, customs, values, languages and customs. 

This is important as an educator to remember that every child is different, every person we encounter in our professional and personal life will be different. They come from all walks of life, cultures, and will have different values and beliefs from our own. Just as we wish for respect ;we should give respect. We as educators should always remember children are different ,will learn differently and be different. They are individuals unique creatures. Each and every one them.  We should embrace them and love them and teach them.

*We shall advocate for equal access to high quality services and supports for all children for all children  and families to enhance their quality of life. 

Advocacy should never end, there are many issues that affect the children and their families. Until we can truly say that there is equal access for all in order to improve everyones quality of life then our work as educators , is not over. This is a personal issue to me because not only am I am an educator , I am a parent.  I am an advocate for my own children, I am also an advocate for the children and families I work with. I feel very strongly if I am not taking care of my own family how can I take of anyone else's family. 

*We shall respect families' rights to choose or refuse early childhood special education or related service. 

Even though we may feel strongly as educators that a child may benefit from special education services as early as possible. We have to remember that parents have a right to process and deal with thier child's delays, or needs as they choose. We can stand in judgement or we can choose in those moments to respect  the parent's rights  and help to empower them in their decision making. I can honestly say as a parent I am always second guessing my decisions. We have to remember that although we have the knowledge to help the child, we should also seek to empower parents.