Standard 2: Educators act ethically and maintain the integrity, credibility and reputation of the profession.

It is important for educators to act as role models for their students. Educators have a great responsibility to educate students, and are therefore, held to a high standard on and off duty. Our actions affect the perception of the profession, which means that we need to be aware of how we conduct ourselves at all times.

Every day, I make life choices to act ethically and maintain my integrity for myself and educational profession. I take professionalism seriously in how I conduct myself, both on and off duty. I try to do this in my everyday life by following the rules, especially when it comes to forest restoration, which is a deep passion of mine. This image is an exemplar of boardwalk trail from the Ancient Forest, outside Prince George that is undergoing a major restoration project to preserve the various botany species. I respect the guidelines that are there as we need to protect the temperate rainforest that needs it. In my undergraduate degree, I did Environmental Studies research to identify various botany and mushroom species in the Ecosystem Study Area. A large part of this job entailed identifying these species to protect the land for future students to be educated on the ecosystems balance. Every species, mobile or sedentary places a role in the balance of an ecosystem, and should be protected. That is why forest restoration and protection are so important. We must protect them as best we can for the future survival and learning opportunities they provide.

Image of myself following the rules for a Restoration Project.

One aspect in my most recent practicum that exemplifies profession integrity is in regards to the marking schematic that I followed equally for all students. There are a few rules that I tend to follow to ensure fairness in all my marking. I do not look at student names before I grade an assignment. I grade purely from the marking rubric, which I have provided to all students. It is important that I follow these protocols, to maintain the ethical grading for all students in my classes.

Part of the Biotechnology Inquiry Summative Assessment Rubric, created with students and myself.