Responsibility to Profession:
Suspected Drinking While on Duty
In the news clip two educators were faced with ethical decisions. The first being the educator that was suspected of being under the influence while on duty.
In Tennessee, between 2013 to today, 1 teacher had a Formal Reprimand, 48 teachers had their license suspended for up to 2 years, and 2 teachers had their license revoked for being under the influence or failing a sobriety test while on duty.
According to Chapter 0520-02-03-3c of the Educator Licensure Rule, the Tennessee State Board of Education may revoke, suspend, formally reprimand, or refuse to issue or renew an educator’s license for Being on school premises, school property, at a school-related activity involving students, or on official school business, while possessing, consuming, or under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. The disciplinary action that the State Board of Education may impose is as follows:
(i) An individual holding an educator’s license who is found to be in possession of, consuming, or under the influence of alcohol, or illegal substances while on school premises or property when children are present shall be subject to a disciplinary action within the range of suspension for not less than one (1) year up to and including revocation.
(ii) An individual holding an educator’s license who is found to be in possession of, consuming, or under the influence of alcohol, or illegal substances while on school premises or property without children present shall be subject to a disciplinary action within the range of suspension for not less than one (1) year up to and including revocation.
(iii) An individual holding an educator’s license who is found to be in possession of, consuming, or under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances while not on school premises or property, but while participating in school related activities with children present, shall be subject to a disciplinary action within the range of suspension for not less than one (1) year up to and including revocation.
(iv) An individual holding an educator’s license who is found to be in possession of, consuming, or under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances while not on school premises or property, but participating in school related activities without children present, shall be subject to a disciplinary action within the range of suspension for not less than six (6) months up to and including a two (2) year suspension.
The second teacher faced with an ethical decision was the one who reported to administration smelling alcohol on the breath of their colleague. This teacher was following TN Teacher Code of Ethics, 49-5-1006 Report of breach of teacher code of ethics. If you suspect a fellow educator is not making an ethical choice it is your duty to report them to your immediate supervisor, director of schools or local school board of education within 30 days of discovering the breach. It is your professional duty to think of the safety and well being of the students.