Educator
Ethics Training
2026-2027
Purpose of Employee Ethics Training
Every interaction is an opportunity to build trust—or to lose it. As educators, our ethics are reflected not only in the decisions we make, but in the examples we set every day for our students, colleagues, and community.
”If I’m not leading by example, then I’m not doing the right thing. And I want to always do the right thing." — Pat Summitt
Policies that Govern Employee Ethics
The goal of the Educator Code of Ethics is to protect the safety and welfare of Texas school children and school personnel.
19. Tex. Admin. Code §247.1.
Educator Code of Ethics - Board Policy DH – Employee Standards of Conduct: Legal, Local, Exhibit
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Reporting Requirements to SBEC
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SB 571 (Reporting Misconduct)
Tex. Educ. Code § 22A.051(a)
In addition to current reporting requirements, superintendent shall notify SBEC if:
(A) abused or otherwise committed an unlawful act with a student or minor, including by engaging in conduct that involves physical mistreatment or constitutes a threat of violence to a student or minor and that is not justified under Chapter 9, Penal Code, regardless of whether the conduct resulted in bodily injury;
(B) Involved in or solicited a romantic relationship
(C) engaged in inappropriate communications with a student or minor, as defined by SBEC rule;
(D) failed to maintain appropriate boundaries with a student or minor, as defined by SBEC rule
***Remember, same for “service providers/contractors.”
Refer to DHB (LEGAL) and DHC (LEGAL).
Reporting Requirements to SBEC
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SB 571 (Reporting Misconduct)
Tex. Educ. Code § 22A.051(a)
–not later than 48 hours after the principal becomes aware of evidence of misconduct described by (A)-(D)
–not later than 48 hours after the superintendent receives notice from a principal of evidence of misconduct described by (A)-(D)
https://tea.texas.gov/health -safety -and -discipline/recognizing -abuse -and -misconduct
Refer to DHB (LEGAL) and DHC (LEGAL).
Duty to Report Abuse and Neglect
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Mandatory Reporters
A “professional” shall report within 24 hours after the hour the professional first has “reasonable cause” that a child has been/may be abused or neglected, or that a child is a victim of an offense under Section 21.11, Penal Code (Indecency with a child).
REMINDER - S.B. 571 shortened the time from 48 hours to 24 hours
Report abuse and neglect within 24 hours.
FFG (LEGAL) / Tex. Fam. Code Sec. 261.101 (a)
Duty to Report Abuse and Neglect
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Mandatory Reporters
A "professional" means an individual who is licensed or certified by the state or who is an employee of a facility licensed, certified, or operated by the state and who, in the normal course of official duties or duties for which a license or certification is required, has direct contact with children.
This term includes teachers, nurses, and any employee of a school district, and applies regardless of when/where the professional has reasonable cause to believe a reportable incident exists.
No privilege or confidentiality rule applies that would excuse the failure to report.
Tex. Fam. Code Sec. 261.101.
Boundary Violations:
Emotional Violations:
Common Violations of Ethics
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Relationship Violations:
Communication Violations:
Maintaining Appropriate Boundaries
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Professional boundaries can be maintained by making them transparent, approved, and timely.
Examples of a failure to maintain appropriate boundaries can include, but are not limited to, conversations that would not typically occur between an educator and a student, interactions between educators and students outside of the school setting that go beyond simple greetings, or interfering in the student’s relationship with their parents.
Any attempt to expand a relationship with a student, whether romantic or otherwise, or any action giving the perception of impropriety with a student will result in mandatory reporting and possible criminal investigation/liability.
INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIP WITH A STUDENT WHO IS 18
INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIP / COMMUNICATION WITH A STUDENT IS PROHIBITED REGARDLESS OF AGE.
According to the Texas Penal Code, it is a crime for a public or private school employee to have any sexual contact or sexual intercourse with someone enrolled in public or private school.
Is a felony of the second degree punishable by imprisonment for a term of up to 20 years but not less than two years. A fine of up to $10,000 could also be imposed.
District Employees Should Avoid…
District employees should AVOID:
Let’s Talk Social Media
Areas of Caution and Vulnerability
Scenario #1
Social Media and Public Trust
An employee regularly posts strong opinions on social media about current events and public policy. Their account is public, and many parents and coworkers follow them. A parent contacts the principal expressing concern that the posts make them question whether the employee can remain impartial when working with students from diverse backgrounds. The employee insists they are posting as a private citizen on their own time.
Discussion Questions:
PAUSE Model
P – Policy
What do district policy and the Code of Ethics say?
A – Appearance
How would this look if it were on the front page of the newspaper?
U – Understanding
Do I have all the facts before acting?
S – Students
Does this decision protect students and preserve trust?
E – Ethics
Is this action consistent with my professional responsibilities?
Social Media Boundary Crossings
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What begins with an innocent string of social media communications (intentional or not) can soon lead to a strong emotional connection with a student.
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Actions That Can Appear as Grooming
Through the Use of Social Media
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An Inappropriate Relationship Begins
Voluntary statement given to law enforcement:
“I began playing Words With Friends with several students before the end of the school year, including Gabriella. I often chatted with students about the game. My conversations began innocently, but after school let out in June my conversations with Gabriella became more intense.”
(Name has been changed.)�
An Inappropriate Relationship Ends
Voluntary statement given to law enforcement:
“I told my wife that I had an emotional relationship with Gabriella and it moved beyond an appropriate boundary between a teacher and student. My wife was angry and demanded that I terminate contact with Gabriella entirely. I then emailed Gabriella and asked her to not try and contact me or my wife and I apologized for any emotional harm I had caused her.”
(Name has been changed.)�
Scenario #2
Before You Hit Send
It is 8:45 p.m. on a Tuesday evening.
Ms. Garcia receives an email from a parent questioning why their child received a zero on a major assignment. The parent states that the teacher has been "unfair all semester" and copies the principal on the email.
Feeling frustrated after a long day, Ms. Garcia immediately replies only to the parent:
"Your child has had every opportunity to complete this assignment. Unfortunately, accountability seems to be an issue. I have 150 students, and I cannot continue reminding one student over and over again. I suggest your child start taking responsibility instead of making excuses."
The teacher clicks Send immediately.
The next morning, the parent forwards the email to the principal and requests a meeting.
Reminders
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Communication Boundary Reminders
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Scenario #3
Boundaries with Students
You coach the school robotics team and have built strong relationships with many of the students. As the regional competition approaches, several team members ask if they can come to your house on Saturday afternoon to work on programming the robot since the school will be closed. Wanting to help them succeed, you agree. A handful of students spend the afternoon at your home, and one student posts a photo of everyone working in your garage with the caption:
"Best coach ever! Saturday robot lab at Dr. Camarena's house!”
By Monday morning, several parents and staff members have seen the post. Some parents begin asking why they weren't informed about the gathering and whether all team members were invited.
What went wrong?
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Appearances of Impropriety
Our actions MUST have an educational purpose!
The following activities are boundary invasions and can create an actual impropriety or the appearance of impropriety. Whenever possible, staff should avoid these situations. If unavoidable, these activities should be pre-approved by the appropriate administrator.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is officially defined as "unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature". Under Educators' Code of Ethics, it is a violation for any educator to intentionally or knowingly subject a colleague to this behavior.
Why is sexual harassment training so important?
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What to Do if You Learn About Harassment
We ALL have a responsibility to ensure that our work environment is safe and healthy.
Supervisors have a legal and ethical responsibility to report sexual harassment to the Title IX Coordinator and their supervisor whether:
If you witness or experience harassment it is your responsibility to report it to your supervisor and/or the District’s Title IX Coordinator, Annelise Ford.
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Anger Management
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Scenario #4
Employee Arrests – Duty to Report
During a long holiday weekend, you attend a local concert with friends. As you're leaving the venue, a disagreement breaks out in the parking lot. While trying to separate two people involved in the argument, law enforcement arrives. Due to the confusion at the scene, you are arrested for disorderly conduct. The charges are later expected to be reviewed, but you are booked and released the following morning.
Because the incident happened outside of work and on your personal time, you wonder whether you need to tell your supervisor. No one from your school district was present, and you hope the situation will simply resolve itself.
Should this employee report the arrest? Why or why not?
Arrests
An employee must notify his or her principal or immediate supervisor within three calendar days of any arrest, indictment, conviction, no contest or guilty plea, or other adjudication of any felony, and any of the other offenses listed below:
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Reminders
Staff with prescriptions or over the counter medication should ensure the controlled substances are secured and not accessible to any student.
If you go off site and plan to return to any CISD location or event you may not consume any amount of alcohol prior to returning.
CBD could include traces of THC even if you think it does not. The drug dog will find the CBD.
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Questions
"Every email, every conversation, every decision, and every interaction is an opportunity to build trust. Ethics isn't about one big moment—it's about the small choices we make every day."
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