The document provides examples of the four ethical paradigms: justice, caring, critique, and profession. 1) Justice is exemplified by upholding students' right to a free public education as outlined in their IEP documents. 2) Caring is shown when teachers cover for each other when ill so they can attend to family situations. 3) Critique is applying an anti-racist lens to see the exclusion of ELL students as unjust. 4) Profession is ensuring consistency by applying discipline policies evenly, without prejudging students or teachers.

1. Examples of the Four Ethical Paradigms
Kathleen Covey
Justice:
In order for all students to have the right to a free, appropriate, public education, the LEA
must uphold the contents of all IEP documents. These documents serve as individual
plans for students in a variety of services. The placement is not a specific room but a
service. The LEA must sign the IEP. The educators are responsible to deliver the
services to the child. The services level the playing field for the disabled or gifted child.
Public education is a right not a privilege. It is the responsibility of the administrator to
implement and evaluate this process.
Caring:
When a teacher is ill or a family member becomes ill, another teacher will cover classes
so they can attend to the situation. Most teachers do this because they have a great
concern for their fellow colleagues and their family members. Covering courses could
prevent absences and future docks in pay. Lending a hand to another in need is an
empathetic way of dealing with a situation.
Critique:
All students should be included in the classroom setting as a heterogeneous group. I
witnessed a class where the ELL students were visibly separated all day from their peers.
It was a third grade classroom. I could not believe my eyes! These children were
excluded from the group because of a language barrier. As a future leader in education, I
feel this is racist and unjust. It is the responsibility of the administration to make sure
this is not happening.
Profession:
When a discipline is sent to the office, all students and teachers should be given the same
reaction to the action. For instance, if a student in the honors course is late for the third
time and a student from the ED class is late for the third time, they should receive the
same punishment. Also, the teachers should be given the same response back for the
punishment. I have seen way to many incidents where the administration judged the
student or teacher before they made their final decision on punishment. This is
unprofessional and unethical. Right is right and wrong is wrong.