Conduct Unbecoming? Teacher Professionalism, Ethical Codes, and Shifting Social Expectations

Abstract

In this paper, we share findings from a historical investigation into changing expectations regarding teacher conduct as connected to the evolving Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation Code of Ethics and the eventual proclamation of a Government-mandated teacher regulatory board. This study was based on the idea that views of appropriate conduct embedded in ethical codes evolve in relation to shifting societal norms and values. We demonstrate that the tone and content of ethical codes of conduct for Saskatchewan teachers transformed from explicit and concrete to abstract and ambiguous.             Keywords: conduct unbecoming; code of ethics; teacher regulation; teaching profession