- The home languages of the children in Ding’s family child care program include Spanish, English, and Vietnamese. Ding’s home language is Vietnamese, and she speaks English fluently.
Ding knows that one 4-year-old child’s family owns a food truck. She has invited the family to park the truck outside her home one morning to share food items with the children and show them steps the family takes in preparing and selling food. Ding plans vocabulary activities based on food prices and menus from each child’s culture. She chooses related books in all three languages and prepares materials for the children to use in creating a food truck in the dramatic play area.
Would this scenario present an ethical responsibility or an ethical dilemma? Evaluate the situation, identify the issues, and tell your classmates what you should relative to at least one ethical issue and identify the Code ideal or principle that should guide your decision.
- situation. She meets with Terry to share ideas about curriculum and guidance and to discuss her concerns about having full responsibility for the classroom when Terry is late or on the phone.
Terry seems to listen to Joy’s concerns, but nothing changes. Moreover, after this discussion Joy learns that Terry has been gossiping about her with families and other staff members and has posted unfavorable remarks about her on Facebook.
Halfway through the school year, Joy realizes that she needs help. She meets with the director, who assures her that Terry has taught in the school for a long time, is well liked by families, and is doing a good job. She tells Joy that, as a professional, Joy should be able to find ways to work things out with Terry.
Joy is increasingly stressed and unhappy about the situation. She is thinking about quitting and finding a job in a more congenial program, but she does not want to give up. She has good relationships with the children, some of whom are very attached to her. Joy does not want them to feel abandoned, and she does not want to leave them behind with Terry.
Pick one of the participants in this situation and tell your classmates what is/are the dilemma(s), brainstorm resolutions, and say what you would do.
- Mittens and boots fly as 3-year-olds bundle up to adventure out into the winter snow. Tate, ready to go in the middle of the line, stands with no coat and bare arms. When Ms. Tiana, one of his teachers, approaches, Tate quietly shares that he did not have a coat he could wear to school that morning. She assures him that there are plenty of extra coats he can choose from for the day.
“Wow, this looks beautiful, and it’s so fuzzy!” Tate says. He glows as he shows off the bright pink coat he’s found in the box of extra outdoor clothing. It is a puffy coat complete with a faux fur leopard lining.
“No, no, that’s a girl coat; I’m sure we have another you can use,” Ms. Diane, another teacher, says. As she digs back into the box, Tate’s face fills with embarrassment and shame. The only “boy” coat in the collection is dark blue and several sizes too small. When Tate tries it on, his discomfort is evident. “This one’s too tight,” he says. Seeing this interaction, Ms. Tiana steps in and assures Tate that he is welcome to wear any coat he chooses, including the pink one. Tate smiles, snatches up the pink coat, and hops back into line with his friends.
Respond to this scenario.
Pick one of the following questions and respond.
a) Pick one of the participants and describe the possible rationale behind their behavior, attitudes, etc.
b). Was the teacher's reaction an ethical responsibility or dilemma?What response would you have had to this situation?
c). What response could you anticipate from Tate's family?