Ethical dilemma

1. 57

   mina_77posted 13 years ago

   You are a new teacher, fresh out of university. You are employed on a short-term contract.  So is Kylie, a know-it-all pain-in-the-neck to whom you have never warmed. You know there is a permanent position coming up, and believe you will be in competition with her.  You suspect that she has been trying to sabotage your chances of permanent appointment by spreading rumours about you being sly and ruthless in pursuit of your interests.  You have been supported through this by Mr Holland, the Deputy Principal. It was he who suggested to you that Kylie was trying to undermine your standing in the school.  His siding with you appears to have really got up Kylieâ��s nose.
   
   Mr Holland seems to have taken quite a shine to you.  He is a teacher you greatly admire (and whose patronage might do your career no harm).  He is a forceful character, with strong ideas about the importance of Australiaâ��s English and Christian origins, and its proud military history.  While not sharing all of his enthusiasms, you still consider him the sort of spirited teacher you aspire to be.
   
   One day you find Nelson weeping behind the toilet block.  He is a shy Sudanese refugee, whose family has been having trouble adjusting to life in Australia. You think they keep to themselves more than they should, as does Nelson.  He is a beautiful child, very dark with flashing white eyes and teeth.  He lives not far from you, and you have recently found him joining you for the walk home.  You find his sad expression and quiet intelligence appealing, made even more so by his hilariously mangled English.
   
   Nelson tells you that Mr Holland has just humiliated him in front of the class (and Kylie) by making fun of his English skills.  Nelson begs you not to make matters worse for him by making a big issue out of it.  You promise him that you wonâ��t (partly because you find his story hard to believe).
   
   You nonetheless head to Mr Hollandâ��s office to ask him if there might have been a misunderstanding.  When you get there you hear raised voices within.  Unsettled and unsure of what to do, you listen outside the door.
   
   Mr Holland: �If you can�t stand shoulder to shoulder with your colleagues in maintaining our cultural values you are not a decent teacher, certainly not the sort this school prides itself in.�
   
   Kylie: �But you were cruel��
   
   Mr Holland: â��I donâ��t trust that little monkey.  Those people expect everything to change to fit in with their requirements. I donâ��t buy that lost soul act.  I wouldnâ��t trust him as far as I could throw him. Someone demanding that he speak and act like his peers is precisely what he needs!â��
   
   Kylie: �I think the principal should be informed of this.�
   
   Mr Holland: �The principal and I see eye-to-eye on this. Telling tales behind your colleagues� backs shows why you are not a good teacher. The teaching staff are supposed to stick together! You should act as one of us, not one of them.�
   
   You are confused. You certainly don�t trust Kylie�s judgement, and still think Mr Holland must have meant well, but feel uncomfortable about the amount of pressure he seems to be putting on her.
   
   
       *
   
         What are the ethical issues embedded in this scenario?
       *
   
         How should you act in this situation?
       *
   
         How would you justify your actions if they were called into question?

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   1. 61

      A la carteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Am not going into the ethical issues..too many and intertwined. How you should act ..well that's a bit late...listening outside the door is not very ethical..but there you go..you have heard the conversation...and you know Kylie is right..so support her...that is if you want to be a good teacher. Holland is a racist...report him.
      OK said my piece...this sounds like a uni assignment and I do not intend to answer it for you..but well cannot resist giving my opinion

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2. 0

   EmpressFelicityposted 13 years ago

   Why have you posted this thread again under a different title?  Didn't you get the answer you wanted the first time?

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   1. 61

      A la carteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      ah now more than ever i suspect that this is a uni assignment!!

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      1. 0

         EmpressFelicityposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         
         
         busted
         
         Us cats are good at sniffing things out... we could teach dogs a thing or two

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         1. 61

            A la carteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            meow..we surely are lol

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3. 60

   Devanniposted 13 years ago

   This person has also posted this as a hub that is word for word the same as far as I can tell.

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