Slide 8

The transcription discusses the difference between rights and responsibilities for adults and students. It explains that limitations are based on the age and maturity of the child, with different freedoms given to different grade levels. The main reason for these limitations is to protect the health and safety of everyone, as teachers act as stand-in parents while students are in their care. However, opinions and tolerances may vary, and conflicts can arise when one student's rights interfere with another's educational opportunities. In such situations, it is important to understand the position of the local board of education and seek guidance from experienced veterans to avoid mistakes. So, we understand the difference between a right and a responsibility and remember, as an adult, teachers absolutely enjoy the full complement of all the laws written. Students, on the other hand, while still protected by laws, we have learned, do have limitations. So, as we enter the classroom and start to deal with students, we need to understand what the limitations are and why do we have them. So, let's start with the what. Limitations are based on the age or rather the maturity of the child. For example, the freedoms that we afford a high school student are definitely not the same that are afforded to a 6th grade student and those that are afforded to a 6th grade student in turn are not afforded to a kindergartner. So, why? Why is this the case? Well, our overarching tenet is that our job, our responsibility to our students is to protect the health and safety of everyone because as a teacher, you are what we call loco parentis, right? The school is basically the stand-in for the parent while the students are under our care. Our responsibility is to maintain a structured environment so all children have the opportunity to learn. However, the devil is always in the details, right? And opinions and tolerances vary from one classroom to another, from one administrator to another. All students are guaranteed the right as we have learned to an accessible quality education under the law, but where does one student's right start and another one end? When one student's rights preclude another student from accessing their educational opportunities, how can we resolve that conflict? This is where it is imperative that you understand the position of not only your local board of education, but your direct supervisor as well. Friends, I cannot stress this enough. If you get into a situation in which these ethical considerations start to really be divisive and worrisome, please reach out. Please ask experienced veterans for their opinion, their guidance, their direction, and their resources. That institutional knowledge, that experience is invaluable in situations such as these and can often help you avoid a critical error.