Here are some suggestions to further awareness of our professional responsibility for ethical practice, equipping educator candidates and in-service educators in ethical understanding:

 Educator Preparation Programs  

• Initiate conversations with faculty regarding professional ethics and how to educate pre- service candidates and leaders with defensible decision-making based on professional norms.
• Have on-going discussions regarding specific topics (e.g., confidentiality, conflict of interest, multiple relationships) related to educator ethics.
• Create faculty-meeting agendas to discuss the importance of educator ethics. 
• Develop a course or units within a course, that include policies, licensing statutes and the Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE).
• Integrate the discussions on professional ethics and compelling scenarios into coursework that resides within the teacher education program. Start as early as possible for candidates
• Contact your professional state and national organization(s) to promote educator ethics, awareness of MCEE and that organization’s involvement in implementing the MCEE.
• Differentiate between professional dispositions, professional ethics and codes of conduct
• Include evidence of ethical decision making that is aligned to professional norms in field experience evaluations.

Local School Districts   

• Initiate conversations with faculty and staff regarding educator ethics, the MCEE, and defensible decision-making.
• Engage in on-going discussions and trainings in PLCs and/or faculty meetings regarding topics or scenarios related to educator ethics. 
• Review district policies (e.g., social media technology, educator-student relationships) to align with professional norms including the MCEE.
• Engage district leaders in discussions and training on the importance of educator ethics and defensible decision making.
• Contact your professional state and national organization(s) to promote educator ethics, awareness of the MCEE and that organization’s involvement in the  adoption or implementation of the MCEE.

State Educational Agencies

• Initiate discussions about educator ethics with State Boards or Departments of Education and State Professional Standards Boards.
• Inform legislators (e.g., state House and Senate Education committees) and other state officials about the importance of educator ethics and the MCEE.
• Create avenues for adopting or implementing the MCEE.  
• Propose legislation requiring pre-service candidates and/or in-service educators to receive professional learning related to educator ethics and the MCEE.
• Create professional development modules, materials and resources to assist districts with implementing MCEE.
• Integrate MCEE professional learning into statewide programs such as induction programs.
• Contact your professional state and national organization(s) to promote educator ethics, awareness of the MCEE and that organization’s involvement in adoption or implementation of the MCEE.