Learning Outcome 1

Learning Outcome 1 considers the professional demands of the teacher with

reference to ethical, legal and legislative requirements while working in a collaborative

school. As a pre-service teacher, I have gained an understanding of the ethical, legal and

legislative requirements and recognise that they are necessary to help ensure the safety of

students and teachers, it also allows teachers to maintain a professional relationship with

students, staff, families and the community. When considering the ethical and legal

requirements of teachers their moral compass and ability to do the right thing is examined,

problems which could cause issues include conflicts of interest with the school, receiving

gifts and benefits and workplace behaviour and conduct.

The Queensland College of Teachers provides a code of ethics for Queensland

teachers which outlines the six values of integrity, dignity, responsibility, respect, justice and

care which guides teachers to form professional relationships with students, colleagues,

families and the community in a way that displays ethical behaviour and professionalism. Commented [SC1]: Understanding key principles in the
codes of ethics.
(Queensland College of Teachers, 2008). The Queensland College of Teachers website also

contains a guideline for the professional boundaries expected from teachers in Queensland

schools which includes guidelines, boundaries, obligations and guidance for teachers to

maintain appropriate conduct while at work (Queensland College of Teachers, 2017). Some

of the boundaries that could be breached as a teacher are emotional, relationship, power

and communication which include situations such as showing preferential treatment to a

student, expressing intimate feelings with a student, giving a student gifts, and talking to a

student about personal or sexual matters. The teacher can use questions to recognise

potential breaches in professional or legal boundaries such as ‘Am I dealing with a particular

student differently from the way that I deal with other students under the same

circumstance? (Queensland College of Teachers, 2017)’. Teachers can also use the

REFLECT method to evaluate and appropriately deal with concerning teacher misconduct by

recognising the potential issue or problem, finding relevent information, liasing and
consulting, evaluating the options, coming to a decision and taking time to reflect

(Queensland College of Teachers, 2017).

Standard 7 of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) highlights

professional engagement with colleagues, parents/carers and the community. Standards 7.1

and 7.2 in particular address the graduate teacher’s ability to meet professional ethics and

responsibilities and comply with legislative, administrative and organistational requirements

(AITSL, 2017). As graduate teachers must be able to show evidence of reaching these

standards before entering into the profession, they should be able to understand and apply

ethical behaviours and follow legal and legislative requirements.

Personally, I already work in a school as a teacher’s aide and have had the

opportunity to undertake mandatory training where I have been able to develop my

knowledge of the ethical behaviour and the legal requirements expected from me while

working in a school. Through my participation in the Transition into the Profession Commented [SC2]: Ability to apply ethical behaviour and
meet legal requirements.
conference at ACU I have also gained knowledge on how to act ethically and responsibly as

a teacher, for instance, I have learnt that collaborating with students and families is

important, however, I should not befriend or communicate with students or their families on

social media or any other method that is not approved by the school, and communications

should remain professional and should not discuss any private or inappropriate topics. Being

able to act ethically and comply with legal and legislative requirements is a necessity for not

just for graduating teachers, but for all teachers.

References
AITSL. (2017). Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Retrieved from Australian Institute for
Teaching and School Leadership: https://www.aitsl.edu.au/teach/standards

Queensland College of Teachers. (2008, December). Code of Ethics for Teachers in Queensland.
Retrieved from Queensland College of Teachers:
https://cdn.qct.edu.au/pdf/CodeOfEthicsPoster20081215.pdf?_ga=2.2043574.648224314.1
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