Standards of Ethical Conduct
Way of Wisdom Academy
(Adapted from the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida and Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida)
1. Our school values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of democratic citizenship. Essential to the achievement of these standards are the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all.
2. Our primary concern is the student and the development of the student's potential. Employees will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity.
3. Concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel:
a. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student's mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
b. Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.
c. Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.
d. Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student's academic program.
e. Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
f. Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student's legal rights.
g. Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
h. Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
i. Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.
4. Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the community, employees of our school must display the highest degree of ethical conduct. This commitment requires that our employees:
a. Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
b. Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise qualified, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization.
c. Shall not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.
d. Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which unreasonably interferes with an individual's performance of professional or work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education or which creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.
e. Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.
Training Requirement
All instructional personnel, Ms. Carla Bonilla, Ms.Rosana Guillod, Ms. Denisse Lopez, Ms. Leslie Alejandro, and administrators are required as a condition of employment to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct.
Way of Wisdom Academy Inc. Code of Ethics
List Body
Identifying and reporting Professional
Misconduct
Reporting Misconduct by Instructional Personnel and Administrators Ms. Carla Bonilla, Ms.Rosana Guillod, Ms. Denisse Lopez, Ms. Leslie Alejandro, employees, and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors. Employees' misconduct reports should be made to Mr. Wilfredo Alejandro at number 407-738-2355.
​
Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to Mr. Wilfredo Alejandro at number 407-738-2355. Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida-certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services. Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affect a student's health, safety, or welfare are posted on bulletin boards on the front in the lobby and on our Web site at www.wayofwisdomacademy.com.
The following behavior may be indicative of misconduct that should be reported:
Being alone with a student in a dark or closed room or secluded area
Behaving in an overly friendly or familiar way or failing to maintain an appropriate professional boundary with a student
Using forceful or unnecessary physical contact with a student
Administering discipline not compliant with district policy
Accepting or offering gifts in return for favor or privilege from students or colleagues
Badgering or habitually teasing a student
Mocking or belittling a student
Chronically embarrassing a student
Displaying prejudice or bigotry against a student
Suspicion of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Failing to supervise students properly or to ensure student safety
Cheating, falsifying information, or testing violations
Retaliating against a student or colleague for reporting misconduct
Bantering or engaging in colloquial or slang communications with a student
Directing or using profane, offensive, or explosive language in the presence of students
Making lewd or suggestive comments or overtures toward a student or colleague
Apply the litmus test
1. If you feel uncomfortable
2. If you question the person’s motives or actions
3. If you are unsure
Protect the students and yourself and report.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
CONTACT:
Florida Department of Education
Office of Professional Practices Services
Turlington Building
325 West Gaines Street
(850)245-0438
Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect
Look for the signs
Dial 1-800-96-ABUSE
All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call 1-800-96-ABUSE or report online at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/.
Signs of Physical Abuse The child may have unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries; broken bones; or burns. A child experiencing physical abuse may seem withdrawn or depressed, seem afraid to go home or may run away, shy away from physical contact, be aggressive, or wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries.
Signs of Sexual Abuse The child may have torn, stained or bloody underwear, trouble walking or sitting, pain or itching in genital area, or a sexually transmitted disease. A child experiencing sexual abuse may have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively, fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed, gain or lose weight suddenly, shy away from physical contact, or run away from home.
Signs of Neglect The child may have unattended medical needs, little or no supervision at home, poor hygiene, or appear underweight. A child experiencing neglect may be frequently tired or hungry, steal food, or appear overly needy for adult attention.
Patterns of Abuse: Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.
Liability Protections
Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by law, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S. 39.203)
An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under F.S. Chapter 760. (F.S. 768.095)
Child Abuse
The child may have unexplained:
-Bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries
-Broken bones
-Burns
​
A child experiencing physical abuse may:
-Seem withdrawn or depressed
-Seem afraid to go home or may run away
-Shy away from physical contact
-Be aggressive
-Wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries
​
Signs of Sexual Abuse
​
The child may have:
-Torn, stained, or bloody underwear
-Trouble walking or sitting
-Pain or itching in the genital area
-A sexually transmitted disease
​
A child experiencing sexual abuse may:
-Have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively
-Fear a particular person
-Seem withdrawn or depressed
-Gain or lose weight suddenly
-Shy away from physical contact
-Run away from home
​
Signs of Neglect
​
The child may have:
-Unattended medical needs
- Little or no supervision at home
-Poor hygiene
-Appear underweight
​
A child experiencing neglect may:
-Be frequently tired or hungry
-Steal food
-Appear overly needy for adult attention
Look for the Patterns
Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.
If a child tells YOU about abuse:
Be a good listener. Show that you understand and believe what the child tells you. Encourage, but don’t pressure, him/her to talk. Ask open-ended questions.
Be supportive. Tell the child he/she did the right thing by coming to you. Stress that he/she is not to blame. Let the child know that you want to help.
Don’t overreact. This can frighten the child or prevent him/her from telling you more. Do not talk negatively about the suspected abuser in front of the child.
Document and report it. Document your conversation as soon as you can. If possible, write down the child’s exact words.
Don’t delay. Never assume someone else will report the abuse. The sooner it’s reported, the sooner the child and their family can be helped.
WHO MUST REPORT ABUSE?
Doctors
Nurses
Social Workers
Police Officers
Child Care Workers
Any Witnesses
Any/All School Personnel
Call or Report it online at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/
HOW TO REPORT MISCONDUCT
Report allegations or suspicion of misconduct by an instructional personnel member to your school administrator or district contact
Report allegations or suspicion of misconduct by your school administrator to your district contact
Document the activities or details of the event.
Secure evidence (if applicable)
WHO SHOULD REPORT MISCONDUCT?
All employees and agents of a district school board, charter school or private school have a duty to report misconduct.
If you are aware of or observe misconduct
REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY!
WHO SHOULD YOU REPORT?
Classroom teachers
Paraprofessionals
Substitute teachers
Librarians, guidance counselors and social workers
Career specialists and school psychologists
Principals, Assistant Principals and Deans
Failure to Report
Misconduct
Possible penalties for instructional
personnel or site administrators who fail to report misconduct may include:
Written Reprimand
Suspension with or without pay
Termination of employment
Discipline/Sanctions on an educator’s certificate
Florida Statutes And Rules
Florida Statutes s. 1006.061
States all employees and agents of the district school board, charter schools and private schools that accept scholarship students, have an obligation to report misconduct by an instructional personnel member or school administrator.
Florida Statutes s. 1012.33
Outlines disciplinary procedures regarding district employment contracts with instructional personnel staff, supervisors and school principals.
Florida Statutes s. 1012.795
Provides the Education Practices Commission the authority to issue disciplinary action against an individual’s Florida Educator certificate.
Florida Statutes s. 1012.796
Provides authority for the Department of Education to investigate and prosecute allegations of educator misconduct.
Florida Statute s. 1012.01
Defines public school instructional personnel, administrative personnel, school volunteers, education support employees and managers.
State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.001
Defines the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida.
State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.006
Defines the Principals of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida.