Professional Ethics for Dance Teachers

I have looked up what the International Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD) have written for their "Codes of Conduct".
I find that in comparison with the ISTD, the list that I previously wrote without the help from any other sources is extremely light and only covers the surface, whereas the ISTD seem to go into complete detail on each subject.
I don't think that I missed many important points out (although there were some!), but I think I did write my list of ethics in a way which was too broad and not obvious and specific enough, therefore leaving room for misinterpretation.

Code of Professional Conduct and Practice for Teachers of Dance

This is a recommended Code of Professional Conduct and Practice prepared by the Council for Dance Education and Training to guide dance teachers on issues of good practice. It is endorsed by the dance teaching organisations in its membership and will be reviewed every two years. 

Please read through the ISTD principles and see my comments on each category below.

Fundamental Principles 
A teacher should: 
• behave with integrity in all professional and business relationships. Integrity implies not merely honesty but fair dealing, courtesy and consideration.
• strive for objectivity in all professional and business judgements. 
• not accept a teaching post or undertake work for which he or she is not competent or qualified.
• carry out his or her professional work with due skill, care and proper regard for the technical and professional standards expected of him or her.
My comments: On my list of ethics I didn't really write much on this topic. I did put about maintaining positive relationships and respecting other peoples positions but I didn't really go any deeper than that. To me, being honest, fair, courteous and considerate are all traits which should be obvious to adhere by but I understand now after reading through the ISTD Code of Conduct that you can't leave anything out and that you must be clear and to the point so that there is no room for misinterpretation.
The last bullet point in this category I believe I did cover in my list as I did talk about teaching to the best of my knowledge, keeping up to date with the syllabus and other changes and new rules.

Integrity

A teacher should:

• uphold and enhance the good standard and reputation of the profession.

• work in a collaborative and co-operative manner with other dance professionals and organisations. 
• not attempt to influence or intimidate any examiner at any examination or a judge at a competition.
My comments: Again, I did mention in my list about respecting the value of other peoples positions, such as teachers with differing opinions, which I think coincides with the second bullet point here.

Objectivity

A teacher should:

• work in an open and co-operative manner with students and families.

• ensure that students are not discriminated against on the grounds of sex, race, colour, religion, age, disability, national or social origin or other status.
My comments: I wrote on my list that I think it is important to get an idea what parents want when they bring their children to class, if they have any aims or necessary requirements etc, so I am pleased to find that the first bullet point here highlights this thought.
I have highlighted the second bullet point here as I feel that unfortunately I didn't cover this topic enough in my own list. I did put that I always treat each student equally and at the time I thought that this was an obvious statement, but now upon reflection after reading through the detailed list from the ISTD I feel I should have gone into this with more specific points.

Competency

A teacher should:

• acknowledge any limitations in his/her knowledge and competency and take steps to practice in a fully skilled manner.

• assist professional colleagues, in the context of his or her own knowledge, experience and sphere of responsibility, to develop their professional competence.

• undertake continuing professional development to ensure knowledge and practice remains current as required by his or her individual awarding body(ies) and/or employers.
My comments: I wrote in my list about keeping up to date with the syllabus and ensuring I know of any changes and new rules which I think lightly covers the topic here, but again, I could have gone into further detail.

Due skill and diligence 
A teacher should ensure that no action or omission on his or her part, or within his or her sphere of responsibility, is detrimental to the interests or safety of students.
My comments: I think this is very broad and I'm not sure that I covered it completely but I believe keeping a safe environment and upholding my responsibility when the children are in my care are two important factors.

Courtesy and consideration

A teacher should:

• always act in such a manner as to promote and safeguard the interests and well-being of students. 
• justify student trust and confidence.
My comments: I wrote that I must be a good role model for the students and that I promote positive social attitudes which I think covers these two points.

Confidentiality 
A teacher should ensure that confidential information obtained in the course of his or her professional work should not be used for personal advantage or be disclosed without the consent of the pupil or parent, except where there is a legal right or duty to disclose. A teacher should be aware of and abide by current data protection legislation.
My comments: The confidentiality of customers information is something that I did mention in my list as running my own business I am fully aware of its importance.

Publicity

• A teacher may seek publicity for his or her own services, and advertise his or her services, achievements and school in any way consistent with the dignity of the profession.

• A teacher should, under no circumstances, promote his or her services, or the services of another teacher, in such a way, or to such an extent, that amounts to harassment of the prospective pupil or parent.

• A teacher should not publish, or cause to be published, any notice, newspaper, advertisement or any other matter likely to damage the standing of the profession or to damage or depreciate the reputation of any colleague.

• Promotional material may contain any factual statement, the truth of which a teacher is able to justify, but should not make any disparaging references to, or disparaging comparisons with, the services of others.

Teaching names

• A teacher may teach under whatever name or title he or she sees fit. 
• A teaching name should not be misleading.

• A teacher should not use any title, description or designatory letters to which he or she is not entitled.

My comments: I have highlighted all this section as, I am sad to say, I didn't cover any points in this area on my list.I am surprised I didn't mention anything above in my own list, as I am a dance teacher running my own school, all these factors are very important. However, I do believe that so far in my promotions I have stuck by all these practices.

Statutory Requirements

A teacher should:

• comply with all statutory requirements affecting health and safety at work.

• ensure the provision of adequate public/products liability insurance and employer liability insurance.

• comply with all the statutory requirements affecting the running of the business, including registration of names, income tax, value added tax and any other matter required by law.

• ensure that he or she is in accordance with the law with regard to copyright, recording, public performance and other matters concerning printed matter and recorded music related to their work.
My comments: I covered this area in the bullet point labelled Ensuring I have necessary documents. 

Health and safety

A teacher should:

• ensure that classes are of a size appropriate to the levels and techniques being taught and the space being used. Students in each class should be of compatible age and/or standard.

• be aware of developments in Child Protection legislation and undertake Criminal Records Bureau enhanced disclosure as required.

• ensure that teaching facilities are adequately maintained and provide:

1. suitable flooring appropriate to the technique taught, with a clean, safe surface; to minimise the risk of injury;

2. adequate heating levels and ventilation;

3. suitable, secure and safe area for changing.

• abide by Health and Safety statutory legislation requirements, understand his or her responsibility in case of a medical emergency and keep records in an accident book.

• ensure that all fire regulations are displayed and adhered to.
My comments: I did cover the healthy and safety aspect in my  list but I think I could have been a lot more specific.Most of the above I did mention but there are a couple of points that I missed out which I have highlighted here.

So overall my list of ethics is very similar to the ISTD's and I covered most of the areas, although I do feel I could have been a lot more thorough and broken down each point so that way I could have ensured to have covered all scenarios.