More than ever, kids need healthy, clearly-defined relationships with adults to feel safe and to develop into competent and responsible human beings. As educators, we are their role models -- not their friends, their confidantes, or surrogate parents.

Your professional behavior, values, and responsibilities - both in and outside of school - are more important than popularity among students or a need to please others.

Remember that your competencies are in teaching your subjects and in providing students with an excellent, well-rounded education. You are employed by NPS in a specific role. Leave the counseling to the counselors.

Follow the Internet Use Policy. Remember that any emails sent on a school computer can be retrieved. Emails can be considered public documents. Internet activity on a school computer can be tracked.

Dress professionally. While certain clothes are fine for weekend wear, they should not be worn to school by teachers. The way you dress should never be a distraction to your students.

Avoid being alone with students. One-on-one tutoring should be done in a public place like the library. Leave your door open when conferencing. Avoid letting kids “hang out” in your room.

Be consistent in your treatment of students. Do not make exceptions for a favored few. Do not advocate on students' behalf to bend policies.

You are a private citizen, but you are also always an educator. Your out-of-school conduct can affect your job security. The line between our public and private lives is less clear, so what you post on a blog, on your MySpace page, on Facebook, can be accessed by students. If you wouldn't want the Superintendent reading it aloud to you in a meeting, don't post it.

Do not extend your contact with students outside of school. Do not send text messages or IMs, give out your phone number, invite students to your house or allow them to show up. Do not drive students in your car. Do not give personal advice about boyfriends or girlfriends. Always be careful when sending emails.

Don't be afraid to correct inappropriate behavior. Remind students of the limits of your relationship as an educator. Reaffirm the helping nature of the relationship. Make a plan for getting the student appropriate help. Immediately report any incidents of behavior or comments by students that might be misinterpreted later; don't let situations escalate.

Be friendly, not a friend. Conversations with students should be warm and caring and provide support for their learning and growth. Relationships should be centered on school events and activities. Student-teacher conduct should be appropriate and understood by the general population - not laced with “inside” references.

Support the school culture of professionalism. Don't ignore situations. Help create a culture of intolerance for inappropriate behavior. Letting incidents slide sends the message that you believe such behavior is acceptable.

Massachusetts law requires school superintendents to report to the Commissioner of Education in writing wherever a licensed educator is dismissed, not renewed, or resigns after committing misconduct that might warrant revocation or other limitation of the educator's license.

Administrators' Obligation to Report. Any administrator who dismissed, not renewed, or obtained the resignation of any educator for any of the reasons cited in 603 CMR 7.14(8)(a) shall report in writing such resignation or dismissal and the reason the administrator acquires relevant information after an educator's dismissal, resignation, or non-renewal. Failure to make such reports shall be grounds on which the Commissioner may revoke the administrator's license.

When the Department of Education receives a report under this regulation, it will conduct an investigation of its own to determine whether the facts warrant revocation, suspension, or limitation of an educator's license.

A collaborative effort by the Natick Public Schools and the Education Association of Natick. Updated 22 August 2007.