Great Dilemma on My Part as the Principal - Case Study Example

This presents a case of great dilemma on my part as the principal. This is because on one hand I have to ensure that my decision does not in any way compromise my professional ethics and on the other hand realizing that one of my best teachers has been taken ill with a terminal illness that obviously, may affect the overall quality of her work in classroom. Going by the nature of her illness which from the diagnosis Doctor’s say is inoperable cancer, and given the fact that even after leaving the hospital her condition was frail and deteriorating; as a matter of concern, in respect with her Doctor’s advice for her to continue with working since it would help allay the spread of cancer: I would still let her retain her job, but would have to decrease the expected work load owing to her weak and now frail disposition. I would advice her students and colleagues not to put a lot of unnecessary pressure on her. 1I would also have another teacher ready on the standby-just in case the illness happens to take an unprecedented toll upon her, and which may require that she be rushed again back to the hospital. I would urge the school’s staff and the entire student community to accord her total cooperation and respectfully understand her plight. Finally the office staff must take pride in being overly kind, caring and attentive to the needs of the students, teachers and even parents (LeBlanc, 2009). 2In spite of the fact that she is currently ill but still determined with continuing with her work, technically, she still remains an employee of the school because she has found herself in a contentious position, not out of attaining retiring age or out of an act of misconduct; but rather from an unfortunate physical. Therefore a lot of consultation and research on my part must be carried out so that my final decision is informed by integrity and acceptable conduct of professional ethics. I would start with the ministry of education (U.S.) and find out what the ethics and academic duty and laws says about a scenario such as this. 2This is because: Members of a profession agree to maintain high degree of performance, to restrain self-interest, and to promote ideals of public service in the area of their responsibilities (Hamilton, 2002).Therefore it is necessary for me as the principal to strive not to be rash but rather exercise objectivity in my judgment, while not making worse the said teacher’s predicament. 3As I m, mentioned earlier in my introduction, this teacher is not just one of the best in school. She happens to be a respected and honored member of the staff, besides heading the department of English. She also happens to be a favorite of the students who easily identify with her, consult her on various issues. In this respect I propose to create the office of academic counseling which she will head. Her task will be to counsel the students on various issues touching on academics and how their school performance will have a direct impact on the career paths that they will choose in life. 3Alternatively, she could with her acceptance become our school’s peer educator, where at a given period of time; she meets with students and discuss her role, and the challenges that a teacher faces. She could talk about how she viewed life; before and after her diagnosis, with the aim of encouraging the students to keep a positive attitude in education no matter the predicament that may be met with. 3The discussion group can consist of students or faculty in just one discipline, but an inclusion of a variety of discipline will build a sense of wider academic community and culture (Hamilton, 2002).In this way the much needed contact with her students and colleagues will still be maintained thus boosting her morale, besides the moral support which will be elicited helping her to positively cope. 4According to the policy of our school board, no employee of the board will be exposed to discrimination, and will remain an employee of the board as long as the said employee is qualified to carry out his or her duty without fear or favor. In this regard, she is and remains a full teacher with the benefit of enjoying her full salary. 5In spite of her health being a private matter, I was obliged to investigate the issues surrounding her health as a matter of due prudence. This was informed by the fact that she was one of my best teachers in school who was suddenly taken ill and rushed to the hospital even before making the necessary notice of absence with the school’s administration as is expected of every staff member in school. Besides as one of my staff members, diligence called for me to take action and try to find out what exactly was happening in her case. Her absence affected the normal learning as her students during her periods were left bereft of their teacher, in which case compromising their learning routine and thereby affecting the learning process. Though her husband later on called to inform me of what transpired, the very shock of her sudden illness shocked me and as the principal it behooved me to get to the bottom of the matter. Consequently her absence from school would have needed a good reason. 6Teachers are the custodian of knowledge and as a result are expected never to contravene this core responsibility against their student’s expectations, to respect truth and honesty in their work and take them as fundamental values; no matter the circumstance. The basic premise is that effective change is accomplished where those primarily responsible for implementing and supporting this change have a major role in planning, choosing and directing desired changes. Individuals with this responsibility are teachers. 6Also it goes without mention that it is students who listen to the communications of teachers and not vice versa. The role that teachers play is fundamental and incomparable and therefore should never be unduly compromised for it could easily lead to intellectual anarchy. Teacher leaders who operate as facilitators, coordinators or mentors (to students) occupy a position that is critical to the successful implementation of school improvement (Harris, 2005). References Harris, A., &Muijs, D. (2005).Improving schools through teacher leadership.Maidenhead, Berkshire [u.a.: Open Univ. Press. Hamilton, N. W. (2002). Academic ethics: Problems and materials on professional conduct and shared governance. Westport, Conn: Praeger. LeBlanc, P., Gallavan, N. P., & Association of Teacher Educators. (2009). Affective teacher education: Exploring connections among knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Lanham, Md: Rowman& Littlefield Education. Read More