Code of Ethics
We, the members of the BROWARD COUNTY MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION,
having dedicated ourselves to the advancement of music and the
development of musicians subscribe to the following principles of
ethical practice as standards of professional conduct:
I.
It shall be the obligation of every member to maintain the
highest standards of moral and professional conduct, and personal
integrity.
II.
IN THE AREA OF STUDIO MUSIC TEACHING
1) teachers will
refrain from exploiting the student primarily for the teacher's own
prestige.
2) teachers will cooperate in the support of public education and
encourage students to participate in school ensembles and activities,
unless detrimental to the welfare of the student.
3) teachers if affiliated with the public schools in an instructional
capacity, will conform to the policies of the school and co-operate with
the administration.
4) teachers will be indefatigable in developing in students good taste
in music literature and the highest possible standards in performance.
5) teachers will teach the interpretation of music according to what, in
their best judgment, are the intentions of the composer.
III.
IN THE AREA OF PUBLIC SCHOOL AND COLLEGE
MUSIC TEACHING
1) teachers will not show partiality when advising those seeking
guidance in selecting a private teacher, but will, if requested, suggest
the names of two or more private teachers in the community, the final
choice to be made by the parent and student.
2) teachers will
secure advance approval from the properly constituted authorities for
the use of a cost-free room in a publicly-owned building for the
purpose of teaching privately for personal monetary gain.
3) teachers will,
after a period of basic music instruction through groups or classes,
encourage qualified students to study with private teachers so the
students' abilities can be more thoroughly developed.
4) when serving
for a limited time as an interim instructor of a student from a private
studio, teachers will employ the utmost tact in order to avoid
undermining the instruction of the student's regular teacher.
5) teachers will
never solicit or accept a student for individual instruction who is
already receiving instruction in the same subject from another teacher.
IV. IN
THE AREA OF COOPERATIVE ACTIVITY
1)
it shall be the
aim of all teachers to afford every student a rich experience in music.
2) teachers will
give just recognition for the efforts of those to whom credit is due.
3) teachers will
refrain from discussing with parents or students the work of another
teacher in such a way as to injure the professional reputation of that
teacher.
4) teachers will
not claim sole credit for the achievement of students under cooperative
or individual instruction, if such claims shall imply discredit upon a
previous or presently cooperating teacher.
5)
teachers will not claim credit for the achievement of any student until
the student has studied with that teacher for a term of not less than
six months.
6) teachers will offer opportunities for study to gifted but
underprivileged students in the form of free lessons or scholarships
only upon merit and not as an inducement to study with a particular
teacher.
7) teachers will not solicit another teacher's students.
8) teachers will
not accept a student who is or has been studying the same subject with
another teacher until relations with the previous teacher have been
terminated and any just indebtedness paid in full.
9) teachers will rely on their professional qualities to
attract students and will avoid using positions in the community,
churches, summer camps or schools as pressure on students to study with
them.
10)
teachers will not represent themselves as a "pupil of" or "student of" a
teacher unless they have completed a minimum of three months of study
with that teacher.
11) teachers will not make exaggerated claims or misleading
statements in any printed matter.
Advertising copy will be dignified, strictly truthful, and
representative of the art of music and its responsibility to the
community.
12) members will refrain from referring prospective students
to unqualified student teachers, those who have not completed their
degrees or certificate work with pedagogy courses and/or supervised
practice teaching. This
practice constitutes a serious breach of ethics, a lowering of standards
and an unprofessional disregard for the public.
13)
all teacher
members of BCMTA shall
be governed in their relationships
with other teachers,
with parents and students, and with students not in their studio,
according to the guidelines set forth in the BCMTA and the
FSMTA Code of Ethics
14) a
complaint against a
teacher member
of BCMTA found
violation of the
BCMTA and FSMTA Code of Ethics should be addressed to the FSMTA Ethics Committee for its
investigation.