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Professional Decision Making Model. Wendy Beaton January 31, 2013 Ron Sandland EDTE 519. Rationale.
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Professional Decision Making Model Wendy Beaton January 31, 2013 Ron Sandland EDTE 519
Rationale As a teaching professional it is important to have a sound decision making model to refer to when having to make difficult decisions. I feel that it is my goal to not loose sight as to who I am and what I stand for, to always consider my values and beliefs and to always adhere to my professional obligations as outlined in the BC Teachers College and TRB Standards and in the BCTF’s Code of Ethics. I have strong values and beliefs around treating all people with dignity and respect. I believe that teaching children is an honour and a privilege. The privilege of teaching children comes with high legal, moral and ethical standards that need to be maintained. I would expect nothing less of the teachers in my own children’s classrooms. I accept that there may be times when I will have to reconcile my values and beliefs in order to make difficult decisions. As a professional it is important that the decisions I make reflect the standards of professional culture and my values and beliefs in respect and dignity for all .
Approaches I am a person that is mindful of others and I have a tendency to want to accommodate as many people as possible when having to make critical decisions. I have started to shift my approach to include ‘what is best for those who are most vulnerable.’ I believe that the children who are most vulnerable can be greatly affected by decisions made by schools, the Education system and by classroom teachers. I worry that the children’s best interest may sometimes be overlooked. I feel their voice must be heard in the decision that are made with respect to them. In considering the following approaches I have determined that my personal decision making approach seems to fall somewhere between the Justice and Utilitarian approaches. I believe in trying to meet the needs of the most people or doing what will make more people happy and reduce suffering. I want to be fair but feel strongly that the most vulnerable are often at a disadvantage and there needs to be equity for them in decisions that directly affect them. The Virtue Approach: Focuses on attitudes, dispositions, or character traits that enable us to be and to act in ways that develop our human potential. The Common Good Approach: Individuals own good is parallel with the good of the community, members are bound by the pursuit of common values/goals. The Justice Approach: Focuses on how fairly or unfairly our actions distribute benefits and burdens among the members of a group. Utilitarian Approach: Focuses on maximizing happiness and reducing suffering.
Reconciliations • I cannot always please everyone all of the time. On occasion some will be dissatisfied with the result and may not understand why the decision was not in their favour. If I can justify my decision ethically and morally, then I can reconcile that sometimes people will be unhappy with my decision, but that it was a decision that needed to be made. • The decisions I make can have an impact on others in ways that I cannot control. I will have to make tough decisions throughout my career. Some of these decisions will make me unpopular. I too may not be happy with how the decision impacts individuals. But if I can rationalize the decision in sound professional practice, and ethical and moral standards then I will have to accept that I cannot control everything, especially how individuals feel about the decisions I make. • I learn from making difficult decisions. It will not be easy, I will likely want to run away from having to make tough decisions, but the learning will help me with future decisions especially if I engage in reflective practice.
Identify the issue Reflect on the decision made & the process Professional Decision Making Model Collect information Identify ethical considerations Implement decision Consult with Mentor Reconcile personal issues Decide which is option is most ethical
Questions and Issues: Clearly identify the issue or define the problem that needs attention? Collect information: What caused the problem? Who are the stakeholders? Who is impacted? Who will speak for the most vulnerable? What is at stake? Who needs to be consulted? What am I trying to achieve in solving this problem? Is there another side to the story? Identify ethical consideration: What fundamental principals are at stake? What policies or regulations are at stake? What if I do nothing? How will this decision affect my ethic and moral values? Consult a mentor: Who can help me? Talk with a trusted colleague or a mentor if you have one. Generate some possible solutions and alternatives. What are the consequences of the various solutions? Consider if some will gain more and some will loose more if certain solutions are reached? Decide which option is most ethical: Disregard solutions that are unethical, unrealistic or illegal. Which solution is the best or should possible solutions be combined? Reconcile personal issues: How confident are you with this decision? How does this decision feel? Does it feel like the right thing to do? Is it fair to everyone? How do you feel about the decision being made public? What is bothering you about the decision being made? Can you reconcile the differences you feel? Develop a rationale for your decision. Implement Decision: Share your decision and rationale with those who should be informed first. Let all other stakeholders know of your decision. Identify who will help implement the action. Reflect on decision and the process: Did the decision achieve the desired results? How did stakeholders feel about the decision? What was the feedback? How do you feel about the decision and the process? Would you make a different decision in the same situation the next time? Should the PDMM model be changed?
References: BC Ministry of Education: Current Standards. Retrieved from:http://www.bcteacherregulation.ca/Standards/StandardsDevelopment.aspx BC Teachers’ Federation: Code of Ethics Retrieved from: http://bctf.ca/professionalresponsibility.aspx?id=4292&printPage=true Definitions of Approaches. Retrieved from http://www.ee.scu.edu/eefac/healy/approach.html Ron Sandland. Rules For Ethical Decision Making & Process Checklist.
