A Teachers Ethical Dilemma: An Interview - Assignment Example

She told me that her circumstances are very difficult and at times she thought of quitting and surrendering her daughter to social workers. But her motherly instincts always outweigh all those doubts, fears, and worries and thus she continues to work as a lecturer for various colleges. However, just last month, she experienced the most upsetting ethical problem of her life. She got involved in a romantic relationship with one of her students. At the beginning of the interview, I courteously asked her to narrate the events that happened prior to the final confrontation with the college administration. At first, she was timid and embarrassed, and I had to assure her many times that all the information she will disclose will remain confidential.

She then gave in. Her first statement was: “You know being a single mom is not easy. It is very difficult and at times you really want to quit. So when I met a student, who was older than me and already a successful businessman, I was tempted.” She told me that they dated secretly until their relationship became deeper and deeper. “I couldn’t get out, you know, of the mess. I know what I’m doing is wrong professionally, but what could I do, my toddler needs to eat, and this was the only way I know at the moment that can help both of us”, she says.

However, they were not able to keep the relationship for so long because her co-teachers as well as the students and school staff noticed the passionate, affectionate interaction between them. She was summoned to the college dean’s office to talk about the matter and she was given only two options, either she resigns or persuades the student involved to enroll in another school. She was given enough time to choose and in the end, she decided to resign. She is now working as a lecturer in another community college and never did she again cross the boundary of the professional teacher-student relationship.

She also believes that her former school treated her ethical dilemma justly. She admits that it was her fault because she did not acquaint herself fully with the ethical codes of the school. As explained by Infantino and Wilke (2009), teachers usually do not obtain sufficient guidance from the school. Many universities and colleges merely expect that those going into the teaching vocation already possess the needed interpersonal abilities. For that reason, it is essential that teachers familiarize themselves with the ethical principles and rules of the school they are working for.

Such knowledge will prevent ethical dilemmas, such as inappropriate student-teacher relationships.