The professional relationship was compromised

VTPCC Principle 1.5 states that: ‘teachers are always in a professional relationship with the students in their school, whether at school or not’, relevant sections include part A of Section 2: ‘a professional relationship may be compromised if a teacher:’

The relationship has become one of peers with similar interests rather than a representative of the school and the teaching profession with the attributed values, ethics and standards. Her professional relationship with the student and therefore the school and State have become compromised.

Considering this notion, that no matter where the teacher is communicating with a student they are always in a professional relationship, we feel as though Miss Hawkins should be visualising the situation as though it were not electronic, but occurring in reality. She could achieve this by asking herself the question “If these students approached me in person and asked if I wanted to go to a rave with them, would I say yes?”

As social media is still relatively new it is common for professionals to be unsure of how to manage their interactions on the platform, and they may even feel a slight disconnect from reality. In doing this exercise, imagining all interactions with students as those that occur in reality, it becomes much clearer where educators should draw the line and ensure that the interaction is professional. If Miss Hawkins did ask herself that question, she should have instantly been able to understand that it would not be appropriate to accept the invitation of these two students to join them in an environment that is entirely social, and where there could be sexual undertones and irresponsible consumption of substances such as alcohol. It is her responsibility to remain professional as the teacher and refrain from joining them in this situation.

Code of Conduct 1.5 provides a strong answer to this ethical issue. I think all educators should stop and visualise a situation happening in reality if electronic communication becomes hazy.

Part A, of Section 2 specifically mentions parties stating that the professional relationship between teacher and student will be compromised if a teacher ‘attends parties or socialises with students’.

Even if we go back to considering the idea of Miss Hawkins seeing the event on her own, as it is public, it is still her responsibility to check whether students will be attending, and if they are, to remove herself from the environment as to not violate the frameworks that have been laid out. By attending a party where students are present, with or without prior knowledge of their attendance, a teacher is compromising their professional relationship with the student.