5 Unethical Behaviours Teachers Must Avoid: No.4 & 5 Will Destroy You

Teachers are humans too, and they are faced with temptations that may trick them into engaging in unethical behaviors. Truth be told, teachers make mistakes, be they small or large. A mistake from a teacher can leave a lasting impact on the student; the impact may be negative or positive. Unethical behaviours of teachers are those that go against not only their profession but also their moral sense as well. Teachers who exhibit unethical behaviours negatively impact students in multiple ways. Unethical behaviour by teachers can take many forms and many levels of severity. It is common to find teachers displaying unprofessional conduct, such as showing their anger in front of the class without having any reason to do so, or other similarly trivial things that would not have any adverse effect on anyone, even if they have unintended consequences for some students. Here we discuss some unethical behaviours that you should avoid—both as a teacher and a person—to safeguard yourself, your school, and your students:

5 Unethical Behaviours Teachers Must Avoid: No. 4 and 5 Will Destroy You

1. Teach only what is clearly required.

The first of the unethical behaviours teachers must avoid is quite strange, but let us take a look at it. Teachers often think that they know better than students how to learn and how to learn better. They think that they have the answer to every question that students will come across. This often leads them to teach only those topics that they are very familiar with and the topics that they believe they can easily “teach well.” We all have our own strengths and weaknesses, and most of us have to learn how to learn, even if we are teachers. If a topic is covered in standard X or Y and it can be covered in standard X+1, or with some minor changes, it can also be covered in standard Y, then it is best to teach that topic. If it can’t be taught in any other way, then you have to choose the safer option and teach the standard X or Y way.

2. Always be on time.

As a teacher, you have to be aware of the fact that students are coming to you only because they have respect for you. Being late to class or work is an unethical behaviour that teachers must avoid.

They want to respect you because you are their teacher and you have certain authority over them. If you don’t respect this authority, then you will lose the respect of your students, no matter how good you are at teaching. The most common mistake that teachers make is that they are always on time for their classes, but they are late for almost everything that is related to their schedule. Being on time for meetings and exams and absolutely everything related to your school schedule is different from being on time for the class schedule. Students know that the class is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., while they know that they will have their exam at 12 p.m. As soon as they see you, they will start looking at you and expecting that you are on time for them. If you are on time for your classes, then you should be on time for other things in your schedule as well. Being on time for your exams and meetings, as well as for everything in your school schedule, is necessary, but being on time for your class is not.

3. Don’t show your bias in class.

Teachers are humans, and like all humans, they have their own strengths and weaknesses, their own likes and dislikes. A teacher’s bias is their own opinion about something, which is different from the objective facts about a certain topic. A teacher who shows their bias in their classes is not only committing unethical behaviour but also creating a bad impression about the school and the entire teacher community. There are many opportunities in a class to show your bias. For example, you can always start a topic by saying something about your own opinion about the topic. Or, you can always end a topic by saying something about your own opinion about the topic. Or, you can always ask a question related to your opinion about the topic. All of these are ways through which you can show your bias and create a bad impression about your school and your profession.

4. Stay away from any kind of abuse or misbehaviour with students.

Teachers are role models for students, and they are supposed to set a good example for them. A teacher who shows any form of abuse or misbehaviour with students is not only not setting a good example but also committing unethical ehavior. You have to remember that a student’s respect for you will be lost if you show any form of abuse or misbehaviour towards them. This can be anything from a simple scolding to any form of corporal punishment. Corporal punishment has been banned from schools in most of the states in India, yet many schools still continue to use it. We strongly believe that corporal punishment has no place in schools and should be banned from them. Another form of abuse and misbehaviour that should be avoided by teachers is harassment. Harassment is any form of unwanted attention, such as excessive criticism, unending advice, or interference in the student’s private life.

5. Stay away from any kind of illegal activity.

As a teacher, it is your responsibility to set a good example for your students. Teachers who engage in any form of illegal activity are breaking the law and are not only committing a serious crime but also not setting a good example for their students. It is important to remember that students don’t respect teachers who do not obey the law. You have to remember that students are impressionable and are more likely to follow the example set by their teachers than those set by their parents. Therefore, it is important for teachers to set a good example for their students and keep them away from any form of illegal activity.

Read: 6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Teacher

Conclusion

We have discussed many unethical behaviours of teachers, such as showing your bias in class, staying away from any kind of abuse or misbehaviour with students, and staying away from any kind of illegal tivity. These are some of the most common unethical behaviours of teachers, and they should be avoided at all costs. If you follow the guidelines that we have provided in this article, then your career as a teacher will be very smooth. There are many rewarding careers available in the field of education, and you should definitely consider becoming a teacher. It is a noble profession that can have a positive impact on your students and help them in many ways.