An educator overhears a conversation between two students. One of the students i

An educator overhears a conversation between two students. One of the students is talking about witnessing other students picking on a student with an intellectual disability during the daily walk home. The behavior described includes taunting, pushing, and taking personal possessions. The educator hears the student say that he feels bad for the student who is being picked on but is afraid to confront his peers or report the behavior, particularly since the activity is not happening on school grounds. Discuss how the educator can address this issue. Include evidence from the “Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE)” and “Professional Dispositions of Learners” to support your ideas.
After answering the discussion board post with at least 150 words you will then respond with positive feedback to the following 2 classmates that have shared there thoughts on the same post using at least 150 words each also.
1.The educator should ask the student to speak to them privately. Incidents like this can be reported anonymously, to protect the other student as well. Even if it is not happening on school grounds, both of these students go to the same school. The students being bullied, have their education experience impacted. This can also cause them to have low performance based on all the stress. “2. Respecting the privacy of students’ presence on social media unless there is possible risk of harm to the student or others; and 3. Being attentive to (and appropriately reporting) information concerning possible cyber bullying incidents and their potential impact on the student learning environment.” (NASDTEC, 2021) Oftentimes students are too afraid to speak up and that’s why many incidents go unaddressed, Letting the student know that the information that they have given will be reported and acknowledging them for being brave. Every student has a right to a safe, fair, and positive learning environment. The steps taken after reporting are putting an end to the bullying, holding students accountable, providing support for the students, and then later deciding if a safety plan will be put in place.
NASDTEC. (2021). Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE) – National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification. Www.nasdtec.net. https://www.nasdtec.net/general/custom.asp?page=MCEE_Doc
2. This is a very difficult situation for a teacher to be in. To decide what to do, the teacher just needs to look toward the Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE), as well as the Professional Dispositions of Learners. According to the MCEE, “the professional educator has a primary obligation to promote the health, safety and well being of all students.” (2023). Therefore, the teacher has an obligation to protect this student who is being bullied. I would first talk to the student I overheard discussing the bullying. I would make sure this student’s name did not get out so that he ends up feeling unsafe for reporting it. The Professional Dispositions of Learners states that teachers should challenge students to report inappropriate behavior, as well as provide a positive and supportive environment that allows students to feel safe when reporting it (n.d). Keeping this student safe is just as important as keeping the student who is being bullied safe. I would then speak with the student who was being bullied to get this student’s side of the story. It is very important to listen to this student carefully. I would want them to feel safe talking about the situation, and would take the time to understand the student’s issues and concerns (Dispositions of Learners, n.d.). After gathering all of the information, I would then go to the principal and get their opinion of how to handle the situation. The MCEE says a teacher should collaborate with colleagues in a manner that promotes the best interests of students. (2023) Working together with the principal, we should be able to find a resolution to the one student’s bullying issue and the other student’s dilemma of how to handle it.

Resources:

Grand Canyon University. (n.d.). Professional Dispositions of Learners. https://www.gcumedia.com/lms-resources/student-success-center-content/documents/coe/coe-pro-disposition.pdf

NASDTEC (2023). Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE). Retrieved from https://www.nasdtec.net/general/custom.asp?page=mcee_doc