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All Texas teachers should be aware of the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators. The rules can be found in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 7, Chapter 247. It charges Texas educators to:

• Measure success by the progress of each student toward realization of his or her potential as an effective citizen.
• Comply with standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents and members of the community.
• Comply with written local board policies, state regulations and other applicable state and federal laws.
• Not exclude a student from participation in a program, deny benefits to a student, or grant an advantage to a student on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, national origin, religion or family status.
• Make reasonable efforts to protect the student from conditions detrimental to learning, physical health, mental health or safety.
• Cooperate with parents and others to improve the public schools of the community.

One rewarding aspect of being a CTE teacher is having the opportunity to work closely with students in and out of the classroom -- watching them apply what they learn to meaningful projects, mentoring them through challenges and celebrating their victories at competitions. These situations, however, also include inherent risks.

Student Contact and Communications

Texas standards of conduct prohibit educators from engaging in "inappropriate" relationships and communication with students, including phone calls, text messaging, e-mails, blogging and other social network communication. Since CTE teacher-student relationships often extend beyond the classroom, it is critical to always maintain appropriate professional educator-student relationships and boundaries both in and out of the classroom.

Health, Safety, and Environment

High-powered equipment, hazardous chemicals, live animals, construction sites, and laboratory experiments -- these are just a few of the risks students might encounter in a CTE course. CTE educators need to be well-versed in the appropriate health, safety and environmental standards for each situation that may arise in the CTE courses offered at their school. Educators also must be prepared to teach those standards and procedures to students.

Travel and Transporting Students

When traveling with or transporting students, CTE teachers should follow district policies and procedures to the letter. Educators should never take a student in a motor vehicle unless assigned by a supervisor or principal. Otherwise, they could be held personally liable if an incident should occur.

Handling Money

CTSO advisors frequently assist students with handling money. As discussed in Lesson 6, CTE teachers should know and follow the school district's policies and procedures for managing funds for student organizations.

Texas law offers teachers a number of immunities to protect them from personal liability for carrying out the scope of their duties as educators. Review "Teacher Protections in Texas Law" for a list of current laws designed to protect teachers. One of the best ways a CTE teacher can reduce exposure to risks and personal liability is by joining a professional association for Career and Technical Education teachers.

CTE professional associations offer valuable resources for new and veteran career and technical educators alike. When faced with a question or challenge, chances are other CTE educators have already found solutions. CTE professional associations bring together the collective wisdom of Career and Technical Education professionals in related fields.

In addition, CTE professional associations:

• Serve as a collective voice on policies and issues impacting CTE
• Advocate for Career and Technical Education professionals
• Provide cluster-specific professional development opportunities
• Offer free or low-cost professional liability insurance

Each CTE professional association represents specific industry clusters and occupations. A list of state-recognized CTE professional associations can be found on the TEA CTE website as well as on the Texas CTE Resource Center website. 

Educators play an influential role in the lives of young people. Time and again, successful individuals have pointed to a former teacher as the role model who made the biggest difference in their lives.

Professional educators strive to create learning environments that nurture the potential within all students. They act ethically towards students and parents as well as towards their colleagues and the whole community. Professional educators also endeavor to maintain the dignity of the profession by respecting and obeying the law.

Adhering to professional standards of conduct is particularly important in Career and Technical Education. The perception of CTE being the track for less capable students still lingers in the minds of some. And, field-based learning activities pose additional risks. Knowing and following professional rules of conduct earns respect from others and helps safeguard students.