Lincoln Public Schools

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PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Civility of Employees

All employees shall behave with civility, fairness and respect in dealing with fellow employees, students, parents, patrons, visitors, and anyone else having business with the district. Uncivil behaviors are prohibited.

Uncivil behaviors shall be defined as any that are physically or verbally threatening, either overtly or implicitly, as well as behaviors that are coercive, intimidating, violent or harassing. Such interactions could occur in telephone conversations, voice mail messages, face-to-face conversations, written communications, including email messages.

Any uncivil behavior should be reported to the immediate supervisor or to the Human Resources Division. Employees may be subject to disciplinary action under building and/or district policy or guidelines. Retaliation against a person who reports a claim of uncivil behavior is prohibited.

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Professional Ethics Standards

Lincoln Public Schools expects its substitute teachers to adhere to the professional ethics standards established by the Nebraska Department of Education as such standards may be modified from time to time. The professional ethics standards which substitute teachers are expected to adhere to include those set forth below.

The substitute teacher shall believe in the worth and dignity of human beings. Recognizing the supreme importance of the pursuit of truth, the devotion to excellence and the nurture of democratic citizenship, the substitute teacher shall regard as essential to these goals the protection of the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal educational opportunity for all. The substitute teacher shall accept the responsibility to practice the profession to these ethical standards.

The substitute teacher shall recognize the magnitude of the responsibility he/she has accepted in choosing a career in education, and engages, individually and collectively with other educators, to judge his/her colleagues, and to be judged by them, in accordance with the provisions of this code of ethics.

The standards listed in this section are held to be generally accepted minimal standards for public school certificate holders in the State of Nebraska and for all educators, including administrators, with respect to ethical and professional conduct.

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Commitment as a Professional Educator

Fundamental to the pursuit of high educational standards is the maintenance of a profession possessed of individuals with high skills, intellect, integrity, wisdom, and compassion. The substitute teacher shall exhibit good moral character, maintain high standards of performance and promote equality of opportunity.

In fulfillment of professional responsibilities, the substitute teacher:

• Shall not interfere with the exercise of political and citizenship rights and responsibilities of students, colleagues, parents, school patrons, or school board members.
• Shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, marital status, age, national origin, ethnic background, or handicapping condition.
• Shall not use coercive means, or promise or provide special treatment to students, colleagues, school patrons, or school board members in order to influence professional decisions.
• Shall not make any fraudulent statement or fail to disclose a material fact for which the substitute teacher is responsible.
• Shall not exploit professional relationships with students, colleagues, parents, school patrons, or school board members for personal gain or private advantage.
• Shall not sexually harass students, parents or school patrons, employees, or board members.
• Shall not have had revoked for cause in another state a teaching certificate, administrative certificate, or any certificate enabling a person to engage in any of the activities for which a special services counseling certificate is issued in Nebraska.
• Shall not engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation in the performance of professional duties.
• Must notify Human Resources by the next working day of the filing of any felony or misdemeanor criminal charges, any arrests and the disposition of any criminal charges pending against them. (See Policy 4790 for further definition of "criminal charges" and issues related to legal documents.) Failure to notify HR as required under this policy may subject the substitute teacher to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
• Shall report to the Superintendent any known violation of the 2nd, 6th or 7th bullet above.
• Shall seek no reprisal against any individual who has reported a violation of this rule.

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Commitment to the Student

Mindful that a profession exists for the purpose of serving the best interests of the client, the substitute teacher shall practice the profession with genuine interest, concern, and consideration for the student. The substitute teacher shall work to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals.

In fulfillment of the obligation to the student, the substitute teacher:

• Shall permit the student to pursue reasonable independent scholastic effort, and shall permit the student access to varying points of view.
• Shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter for which the substitute teacher is responsible.
• Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions which interfere with the learning process or are harmful to health or safety.
• Shall conduct professional educational activities in accordance with sound educational practices that are in the best interest of the student.
• Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information that has been obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes, or is required by law.
• Shall not tutor for remuneration students assigned to his/her classes unless approved by the Board of Education.
• Shall not discipline students using corporal punishment.

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Commitment to the Public

The magnitude of the responsibility inherent in the education process requires dedication to the principles of our democratic heritage. The substitute teacher bears responsibility for instilling an understanding of the confidence in the rule of law, respect for individual freedom, and a responsibility to promote respect by the public for the integrity of the profession.

In fulfillment of the obligation to the public, the substitute teacher:

• Shall not misrepresent an institution with which he/she is affiliated, and shall take added precautions to distinguish between his/her personal and institutional views.
• Shall not use institutional privileges for private gain or to promote political candidates, political issues, or partisan political activities.
• Shall neither offer nor accept gifts or favors that will impair professional judgment.
• Shall support the principle of due process and protect the political, citizenship, and natural rights of all individuals.
• Shall not commit any act of moral turpitude, nor commit any felony under the laws of the United States or any state or territory.
• Shall, with reasonable diligence, attend to the duties of his/her professional position.

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Commitment to the Profession

In belief that the quality of the services to the education profession directly influences the nation and its citizens, the substitute teacher shall exert every effort to raise professional standards, to improve service, to promote a climate in which the exercise of professional judgment is encouraged, and to achieve conditions which attract persons worthy of the trust to careers in education. The substitute teacher shall believe that sound professional relationships with colleagues are built upon personal integrity, dignity, and mutual respect.

In fulfillment of the obligation to the profession, the substitute teacher:

• Shall not misrepresent his/her professional qualifications, nor those of colleagues.
• Shall practice the profession only with proper certification, and shall actively oppose the practice of the profession by persons known to be unqualified.

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Commitment to Professional Employment Practices

The substitute teacher shall believe that sound personnel relationships with governing boards are built upon personal integrity, dignity, and mutual respect.

In fulfillment of the obligation to professional employment practices, the substitute teacher:

• Shall apply for, accept, offer, or assign a position or responsibility on the basis of professional preparation and legal qualifications.
• Shall not knowingly withhold information regarding a position from an applicant or employer, or misrepresent an assignment or conditions of employment.
• Shall give prompt notice to the employer of any change in availability of service.
• Shall not assign to unqualified personnel, tasks for which a substitute teacher is responsible.
• Shall permit no commercial or personal exploitation of his or her professional position.
• Shall use time on duty for the purpose for which intended.

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Role Model

Substitute teachers serve as role models for students and their actions and conduct reflect on the school as a whole. Substitute teachers are in all respects to conduct themselves in a professional manner.

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Relationships

It is important for substitute teachers to maintain an effective working relationship with the administration and all co-workers, including other teachers and support staff. Substitute teachers are also to maintain appropriate relationships with students. Appropriate relationships are established by extending social courtesies, following through on commitments and promises, complying with administrative directives and Board polices, being honest and consistent, and not intruding into personal matters outside the scope of duties or gossiping or spreading rumors about others.

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Professional Attire

It is important for substitute teachers to project a professional image to students, parents and co-workers. Appropriate attire and grooming is one of the means of projecting a professional image. Substitute teachers are expected to maintain conservative and professional attire and grooming when on duty. As professionals, substitute teachers are expected to be aware of the standard to be maintained. As a minimal guide, substitute teachers should not wear clothing which students would not be permitted to wear at school. The administration may establish more detailed guidelines for individual substitute teachers should that be necessary.

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Private Tutoring

Substitute teachers are encouraged to provide individual assistance to students as a part of their duties. Substitute teachers who engage in private tutoring for pay (compensation of any kind from a source other than the District) are subject to the following rules:

• The substitute teacher may not arrange to provide private tutoring for any child enrolled in the class for which they are substitute teaching.
• The substitute teacher is not to provide private tutoring in a school building.
• The substitute teacher is not to provide private tutoring during duty time.
• The substitute teacher is not to advertise or promote his/her private tutoring services in the school or in the school’s communications systems except with the express permission of the Superintendent or designee.