As an educator my personal code of conduct spans the following three areas: respect for diversity, commitment to constructive change, and appropriate conduct toward students, colleagues, and community members. Each of these areas are essential for ethical educational practices. Professional organizations like the Association for American Educators (AAE) detail the ethical responsibilities of individual leaders in education.
             1. Respect for diversity includes awareness and respect of cultural differences. However, diversity also entails diversity among the student body with regards to learning. Disabilities might lead some students to learn differently than others, or at a different pace. Gender also plays a major role in the classroom and as an educational leader I commit myself to tolerance and understanding of individual differences.
             2. Commitment to constructive change addresses the willingness to introduce new methodologies into the classroom. Effective leaders understand the importance of openness to change. As educators, we must keep abreast of new research in our field. We can then incorporate emerging empirical data and cutting-edge research into our schools. Moreover, educators need to be open to new technologies that assist learning and which enhance the learning environment.
             3. Appropriate conduct refers not only to students but to our colleagues and the community as well. Of course, the educator's primary responsibility is to the students. Students must be treated with respect and dignity at all times. The educator must also create the most amicable work environment possible by treating coworkers with respect. Finally, educators ultimately answer to the community. Parents are the most obvious focus of our community action. However, as Superintendent Gorman points out in his speech to the Rotary Club, schools also have the potential to transform whole communities. By offering equal access to the same opportunities...