I believe the most important responsibility of the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) is deciding who is admitted to the teaching profession and who remains in it. In the great majority of cases it is an easy decision.
Most applicants and teachers act ethically, both professionally and personally. They are worthy of the special trust and responsibility vested in them by our community.
There is another very small group where it is also easy to make a decision about their suitability to teach – those who have committed certain serious criminal offences or have significantly crossed the professional boundaries expected of a teacher. Clearly these people are not suitable to teach our children.
Where it becomes challenging is when a person has or acquires criminal history or crosses professional boundaries, but not to the degree mentioned above.
Where do you draw the line: at one drug offence, two drug offences, six drug offences? What factors should be taken into account when assessing a person’s character for entering or remaining in the profession? Nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes. For how long should a significant mistake be held against a person?
Some of the legislation governing the QCT is expected to be changed in the near future. If the changes are passed by State Parliament, the QCT will have to develop policy about:
- the behaviour or types of behaviour that would exclude someone from being admitted to the profession
- the behaviour or types of behaviour, either personal or professional, that would lead to a teacher’s registration being suspended and/or cancelled.
To help inform policy on these areas the QCT will run focus groups with classroom teachers and principals, and with representatives of parent groups, teacher unions and employer authorities.
As the regulator of the teaching profession in Queensland, the QCT is predominately about peers making judgements about peers, which is why the majority of board members are registered teachers. Board members must always take into account what is in the best interests of school students and the profession.
If you were a member of one of these focus groups what would be the key points you would like to make? You can leave your comments below:
QCT Blog 
Teaching is a profession and teachers need to be seen to be professional. Dress standards is an issue that I would like to see addressed.
LikeLike
Absolutely agree!
LikeLike
Agreed
LikeLike
Zero tolerance to any drug conviction. No appeal. No job. This will serve to warn all teachers and aspiring teachers and demonstrate this standard to the community.
Re the internet, teachers may need training to alert them to the extent of their vulnerabilty on line, and therefore the expectation that they adhere to acceptable standards when posting anything.
I would love to know the Union’s opinions on my comments!?
LikeLike
Behaviour is a reflection of personal character and despite the inevitable argument that personal behaviours may be separated between home and work, it still reflects the teacher’s character. This should not be about what is legal or illegal, rather a clear code of conduct expected of teachers. The environment of such conduct then becomes redundant. In terms of “where is the line?”, good luck. I guess that is what the board is for…
LikeLike
I don’t think that environment becomes redundant – it’s actually critical for how all professionals are judged, not just teachers. Should I trust a doctor less who posts a picture of themselves enjoying some drinks on the weekend? Of course not – and neither should teachers be judged by a workplace standard when they aren’t working. That doesn’t mean that outside work hours is a free-for-all…. if a teacher showed support for a Neo-Nazi group in their private life and it appeared on social media, it certainly would impact on their ability to teach within our multi-cultural society. This would fall under ethics, which sits in between behaviour and legality. Where it gets murky is when a person’s behaviour choices outside the work environment are judged against a work ethical standard, which can result in an unfair portrayal of their professional ability.
LikeLike
Let’s be realistic. Home life should be a teacher’s safe place; what they do, how they dress, how they act, it shouldn’t be taken from us.
It annoys me that people expect zero tolerance from teachers but will bend over backwards to accommodate similar behaviours in students. I have taught students with abusive history and been told to be wary; yet they are still in my class. I have taught student’s who arrive at school clearly under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs; yet they are still in my class. Where is the consistency of expectations?
Criminal convictions should always be taken seriously and, depending on the severity, should always have an appeal. Clearly anything which affects a teacher’s ability to teach should always be questioned, but a speeding fine? – outfit choice on a night out? – enjoying a beverage or two at a drinking establishment?
How does that affect the quality of teaching in a classroom?
When does a job become a lifestyle? How are we to have a work/life balance when we are constantly teetering on the edge of becoming only a ‘teacher’?
LikeLike
The first point I would make is that you are an adult and the child is not. I don’t think it is helpful to discuss pedantics or the ridiculous. I don’t think anyone is suggesting that having a couple of drinks at home, what you wear out etc. is of concern or what is being discussed here. This is why an explicit code of conduct would assist with these judgements. You are correct that a speeding ticket should not be an issue, however, if and of itself, it does not carry a conviction either. A teacher engaging in child pornography is not ok even if done at home and not at work. This would contravene a the most simple and reasonable code of conduct.
I would add that yes there may be a perceived higher standard for teachers than other professions, however, we are responsible for people’s children for the majority of the day. We are discussing what is most dear to people, hence the higher standards.
LikeLike
Then perhaps our pay should reflect those higher standards??
LikeLike
Comparatively speaking, we enjoy a competitive salary, without the high professional expectations and with declining entry levels into the profession. Don’t get me wrong, teaching isn’t easy but the professional standards need to be improved. That is largely structural however. I guess what I am saying is that there is significant room for professional improvement.
LikeLike
I was merely pointing out things that have been said to me before. “You’re a teacher, why are you wearing that?”, “I can’t believe you’re drinking, didn’t you say an ex-student was over there.” etc. I had a student jokingly ask why I was wearing a mini skirt to the club the ‘other night’, apparently he had been spreading it around the school and I was questioned over that also. Funnily enough, I don’t partake in clubbing and haven’t worn mini skirts since my first university degree. Yet it was still questioned.
There is no reason to ridicule me for pointing out the fact that children are adults, I teach 13-18 year olds – majority of my students can be tried in a QLD adult court of law. Obviously child pornography is an issue that needs to stop. Anyone who partakes in this disgusting behaviour is not worthy of being in contact with children; their own or others.
But those larger issues are not what’s in question here; they already remove teachers from the profession. The question revolves around where to draw the line. Should you lose your job because you got one drug conviction? Or just be put back on probation, where your behaviour will be monitored by several parties? Or is that pushing it too far as well? I had a dentist years ago who was notorious for partaking in party drugs. Did that lower the quality of his professionalism? No. He was still a great dentist – one of the best I’ve been to. If a teacher was caught on drugs, don’t you think it’s unfair to immediately dismiss them?
In reference to your answer to Deb’s salary statement, QLD teachers are among the lowest paid in Australia.
LikeLike
I cannot believe Tiana’s opinion that it is “unfair” (!!!) to dismiss a teacher with drug offences. OUT. And STAY OUT.
Nick says that if we want better pay and conditions we should increase professional standards. Agreed, but what about increasing personal standards? As public figures, you CANNOT separate the two.The vast majority of teachers hold high personal values and the respect of the community. To some of the “debaters”, above, stop hiding behind the banner of “Privacy” (to which we are all entitled) and look at your personal ethics and integrity. (Whether or not you expect to get caught out in public, or by your students, is not the point)
LikeLike
Hi Tiana. Sorry, I didn’t intend to ridicule, my apologies if that is how you interpreted it. My point was that discussing issues such as walking around the house naked is not what is being raised here. The article refers to criminal offences and behaviours that cross “professional boundaries” that would result in deregistration. As also mentioned, teachers are worthy of “special level of trust and responsibility”. I would expect a teacher of my children or those I work with, who indulges in drug use, be dismissed immediately. That is not the standard of behaviour I would want any child looking up to.
In terms of our own personal digital security, that is no-one else’s responsibility other than our own. We teach the children that anything that is posted online is no longer controllable and is exposed. I also have a hard time having to argue that someone needs to be told that taking a photo or filming something that they would regret if leaked is responsible for this solely. As for the need for PD in this area, please. We are professionals and don’t need to be told this and surely can be responsible for our own material.
I still argue that if we want to be paid more, we need to lift our professional standards. This is identified in research as a key element for improving standards in Australian schools. Tiana, the pay I was speaking of was compared to other professions, not withing the teaching standard. Unfortunately, we are not world leaders when it comes to teaching and all need to acknowledge that work is to be done. This starts with standards and expectations. Bring on a revised code of conduct.
LikeLike
We have to accommodate students with appalling behaviour, part of the job. You cannot compare that to adult teachers (who should be setting an example) getting a conviction for drugs.
Absolutely agree with Nick’s comments, below.
I was proud of my teaching career and never thought of myself as “only” a teacher. My work /life balance was fine, thank you very much!
LikeLike
Where the law is not broken by a teacher in their ‘home life’ I feel this should not be questioned. End of story.
LikeLike
Privacy is a big concern here- a teacher’s right to privacy is not negated because they educate children for a living! When I am in a professional mode then I am a professional. When I am not teaching, then why should I be held to higher standards than anyone else? Certainly, why should teachers be expected to behave to higher standards than parents who are actually responsible for their children outside of school hours. I’d like to see parents being vetted for suitability before they are allowed to procreate!
Basically, the idea that “the profession” should effectively “own me” and get to control/influence what I can and can not do at times that I am not being paid for working is absurd and offensive! (I choose to hire my labour out and do that for money- I am not a slave owned by my profession 24/7!)
The idea that a teacher would be held accountable if they were the victim of being hacked and had personal photos etc shared without their permission is incredibly offensive. The victim is not the one to blame ever!
I could say so much about this- but basically if a teacher is not breaking the law and their actions don’t have direct negative impacts on students or school staff- if it’s done in their own time, it is nobodies business but their own!
LikeLike
Being a slave to the profession, I guess you could take it that way, particularly if you have something to hide, not that I am saying you do. I think we need to remember that we are talking about behaviours that potentially contravene your professional registration. I am also approaching this as a parent and with increased sexual misconduct cases and other inappropriate practices, vetting is essential. To take it back to Deb’s argument, if we want greater recognition and increased pay, it has to come with enhanced professional standards.
LikeLike
Firstly, when ever the issue of privacy is discussed and people start saying things like “if you don’t have something to hide” – then you know they just don’t actually get it! The reality is that pretty well everyone has “something to hide” or at least something that could be misrepresented or shared with a wider audience in a way that could be potentially damaging (and god, you must be living a pretty boring life if you don’t).
As Craig has posted further down in this post – what is considered immoral is pretty damn subjective and is often changing throughout time. We have laws for a reason- to make a clear community wide expectation of what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour. So they seem to me to be a useful standard to apply to teachers too.
Drugs, kiddie porn, drunk driving, violence – they actually are all already covered by the law. We don’t have to re-invent the wheel here!
Actually- Personally I’d say a teacher drink driving is actually a pretty serious offense, because drink driving risks lives. However, I know that generally when people start to talk about “moral” issues that they often mean issues about sex and sexuality. That to me is when it starts to get worrying when people link it to teacher registration. (Unless, obviously they are talking about anything to do with paedophilia or kiddie porn- but again, that’s already covered by law!)
I remember hearing of a case in NZ a couple of years ago where a female primary teacher lost her approval to teach because she modeled out of hours for legal pornography. I was completely outraged ( and actually it still makes me very mad)!
The defense of her dismissal was something along the lines of “what if one of the children saw the photo” – My answer to that – who ever is responsible for exposing a child to pornography is actually the one committing the immoral (and illegal) act.
I do agree, that lots of teachers have no idea about online security and as a lot of teenagers are stalkers and good with technology I think it would be really good for QCOT to offer some PD on Online Security for Teachers.
LikeLike
I know a number of teachers who engage in ‘pole fitness’ outside of work. Now, they are in gyms and exercising – not swinging round poles in clubs. However, there is a general perception about pole dancing. What would happen for example, if a teacher were to post on their personal facebook page an image of them performing a (non-salacious) pose on the pole? Yes, it’s their private life, but would they be considered unsuitable for teaching? I hope not!
LikeLike
My opinion:
First offence for low-range drink driving and using soft drugs, though unacceptable, should result in a caution. Second offence within a couple of years should be a suspension (perhaps 3-6 months). Further offences should require teacher to show cause why registration shouldn’t be suspended for a longer term or cancelled altogether.
First offence for high-range drink driving or using hard drugs should get 3-6 month suspension. Subsequent offences should require teacher to show cause why registration shouldn’t be suspended for a longer term or cancelled altogether.
Illegally obtained images of teachers engaging in legal activities should not result in a consequence for their registration.
The issue of teachers knowingly sharing images or text that may be deemed inappropriate is quite complex and would require consideration of factors such as: whether the identity of the teacher is made public; where it was shared (e.g. Adult forum or general forum that children access); whether or not the content is legal and does it involve information that should have been treated as ‘in confidence’?
Dress standards should not be determined by the QCT. There are too many variables to come up with a standard that suits all year levels, climates, teacher ages etc. Of course thongs, singlets, dirty clothes etc are not appropriate however this should be handled at the school level by the principal.
Personally, I believe there should always be the right of appeal where a teacher is facing registration suspension or cancellation,
LikeLike
Yep, dumb it all down.
LikeLike
We have a code of conduct at work for a reason – we all need to follow it as professionals. I’m also aware that we are human and make mistakes. As long as we do not break the code at work and continue to set a good example to the students in our care, that should be enough. It shouldn’t matter what we do as individuals at home as that is our private life. We do not judge other professionals poorly if they do something silly in their private life because it’s their private lives.
Even lawyers, judges, police people (etc) have private lives. What they do in their private lives does not affect their ability to do their job, nor their standing in their job – unless it is something terrible, which is a different matter.
If something is hacked it is akin to being stolen & posted without our consent. We didn’t judge those celebs that had their phones hacked & private photos of them published all over the internet.
Some of my fellow colleagues are very techo phobic & are not aware to most of the dangers that could occur, so perhaps additional PD on the dangers / how we can keep ourselves and our data safe is probably a good idea.
Re drug convictions / drink driving convictions: I believe in second chances as everyone makes mistakes – it’s how we learn – as long as it didn’t happen at work while children are in their care & perhaps they’re directed to seeking help, I’m ok with continuing teacher registration.
LikeLike
A teacher’s private life is his or her own affair only as long as this does not adversely affect his or her ability to deliver quality teaching. Teachers are responsible, not just for teaching their subjects, but also to act as personal role models for students. If a teacher were to engage in immoral (though not illegal) behaviour, that teacher should make certain it remains private until the day hell freezes over.
LikeLike
You’ve touched on the big issue in this. What is defined as immoral and who sets the definition? Is modelling after hours immoral? Are pics in swimsuit okay? Is living with someone in a relationship without being married immoral? What about getting tipsy or smoking in public? I’m sure that a number of teachers would support opposing sides of these and many similar questions. Another factor is the passing of time with actions that were frowned upon not long ago, now seen as socially acceptable. If the QCT is going to try to clearly define what is and isn’t acceptable then they will also need to frequently update those definitions to keep up with community expectations.
LikeLike
Perhaps there isn’t a hard and fast line between what is socially acceptable and what is not. If there isn’t, then perhaps a teacher just has to stay as far away from the fringe as possible.
LikeLike
I absolutely agree with everything Xena has written. I believe that we have laws that deal with inappropriate/illegal conduct and that as long as a teacher is acting within the law then their teacher registration should not be affected. I also believe if someone hacks into someone’s computer/ phone etc, then the perpetrator is committing the crime and not the teacher who is the victim. By punishing the teacher, it reinforces and shifts power to the perpetrator. This concerns me that if students learn of this power, then it will give them more impetus and a weapon to use gainst teachers and therefore encourage more hacking etc. In terms of the concept “if you don’t have anything to hide, then ….”. ALL teachers, like ALL human beings take part in private/personal behaviours (based on current moral/societal standards/values) that are not accepted publicly resulting in us ALL having something to hide, therefore we should not be judged on these behaviours should they become public. Otherwise we will have NO teachers in the workforce and the department will need to only employ people who do not have sex, swear, drink, joke, go to gay clubs etc etc. In fact we would all need to start showering in clothes just in case our naked bodies become public! I also think it is much healthier for students to see that like the rest of the world, teachers are different from one another and that having a gay teacher who hits the clubs on weekends or one who chooses to advocate public breast feeding or support the “free the nipple campaign” or models or does pole dancing, is what makes up a democratic, diverse society. I believe this also helps students who do not fit into the “norm” to understand that all of these things are actually ok and that they are not then led to a place of mental health illnesses because they are being presented with a “Stepford Wives” view of teachers!
LikeLike
Ummmm…just trying to think of my behaviour that is unacceptable or needs to be hidden! Sorry, l can’t, Anonymous2. Speak for yourself, not ALL teachers. From reading some of these comments , they clearly demonstrate that some teachers think that Bogan behaviours and standards are acceptable.
LikeLike
Hi Diane, I think you missed my point. There is a belief that if you have nothing to hide, then these guidelines and laws should not concern you. My point was that we all have something to “hide” in terms of what is considered acceptable in public as we all do things in the privacy of our own home that are deemed inappropriate in public and the work place. For example, walking around the house naked. Imagine a child is filming something at home on their iPad used for school and manages to capture their parent, a teacher, accidentally and unbeknownst to any of them, walking from their bedroom to the shower naked. The iPAd is taken to school and others see this footage. Do you think a teacher should lose their teacher registration and job? Or as I meant tongue in cheek in my post – should teachers now be required to shower fully clothed? Do you think that someone should lose their teacher registration or job because someone decides to publish footage of them that was taken in the privacy of their own home in order to gain revenge? Teachers are citizens of Australia which is a democratic country and they should not be expected to behave any differently from any other citizen as this only creates discrimination and oppression. It is the government’s job to keep up with cyber crimes, cyber safety and to make approrprate laws in order to protect citizens no matter what their profession is and not to target certain professions and make laws on how they are to behave. This just reinforces the behaviour and crimes of the perpetrator.
LikeLike
This post both amused and terrified me; in the sense of walking around the house naked. Who doesn’t enjoy that every now and then! But I am also very paranoid people will be watching/filming. Imagine if student’s took the revenge path by filming and distributing! Absolutely terrifying to think you could lose your job because someone decided to stalk you to your home and illegally record footage.
It’s scary when you hear of teachers having their personal gadgets hacked, students making private pictures go viral and the teachers can’t teach anymore.
LikeLike
It is not reasonable to expect higher than average literacy, numeracy, way higher than average standards of conduct, and pay well under the average salary for someone in charge of anything from 27-200 workers. We must also acknowledge that in many cases teachers are the target of malicious behaviour in a way that other professions are not. The law is already behind the technology on this which calls into question the very assumption behind Code of Conduct thinking… It is often the case that the student may be the empowered party in many situations.
LikeLike
NOTICE THAT COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG ENTRY ARE NOW CLOSED
Hi all. Firstly, thank you so much to everyone who has commented on our latest Blog entry. All of your comments will be passed on to our Board for consideration and will form part of an important feedback process for us around these issues. The feedback process, which has included focus groups, will help us form new policies. At the QCT we believe that all decisions we make which affect teachers should have input from teachers. Thank you to everyone who did comment for helping us to do this. This blog entry will now close for further comments.
LikeLike