An educator entrusted with public funds and property, including school sponsored activity funds, honors that trust with honest, responsible stewardship.

Guidance (Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators, 2022): An educator must be a good steward of public funds, personnel and property dedicated to school related purposes. The use and accounting for these resources under the educator’s control must comply with state and federal laws that regulate the use of public funds and property. The use of such resources for personal gain, other than incidental personal benefit for which there is no public education purpose would not be in keeping with the intent of this standard.

Ms. W, a fourth-grade music teacher, emails parents using the school’s email, notifying them that she is available on weekends and after school to teach violin to students at a reasonable hourly rate. Several of her violin students have been struggling with their lessons. Ms. W feels that the extra time out of school will benefit the students.

Context: There are many things that we use in both our personal and our professional lives. For educators, these could include teaching supplies e.g. paper, calculators, manipulatives or models as well as technological resources e.g. computers, DVD players, Internet, email, course elated equipment, video production equipment, kitchen appliances, microscopes, lab or shop equipment and even time during the school day. Educators need to be conscious about using resources available to them as an educator for the purposes of teaching and learning and not using resources provided by their school or district for personal use or personal gain.

What possible issues/concerns might this scenario raise?

How could this situation become a violation of the law, the Code of Ethics or other school /district policies?

In this situation, what are some potential negative consequences for the teacher, for the students and the school community?

What responses/actions will result in a more positive outcome and/or what proactive measures might be taken?

Scenario and questions used by permission from the Connecticut Code of Professional Responsibility Training Guide.