Don't Think It Can't Happen to You
While your job may or may not take you into the classroom and in contact with students on a regular basis, you still are vulnerable when it comes to accusations of improper conduct. Just a hint of an improper relationship with a student or a co-worker can be damaging to your reputation, your career and your job.
One of the benefits of being a member of the Michigan Education Association is the $1 million in liability insurance you have if you're accused of a criminal offense while performing your job duties. Your local association and your UniServ director are always ready to provide you with help if you ever find yourself being charged with a criminal action.
It's sad that we have to worry about our relationship with students, but we live in a society that carefully watches what kind of a role model you are. Try these strategies to avoid liability:
• Maintain your personal space. Young children especially are eager to touch you, stroke your hair or just hang on you for attention. You can't let students get too familiar with you. Set the tone that you will respect the students' space also.
• Watch what you say. Choose your words carefully. An innocent remark or comment could be totally turned around when a student reports back to parents. The whole meaning of what you said may become so distorted that you're now in a battle to save your job and reputation.
• Don't discuss "sexual" topics. Don't be drawn into conversations-or start one-regarding such topics as song lyrics, jokes or movies.
• Don't be alone with students. Make sure another adult can see you. They can be witnesses for you if a student accuses you of improper behavior.
• Don't become "friends" with students. Maintain the line that you are an adult and a school employee. If you become too comfortable with them, they may make the wrong assumptions about their relationship with you.
• Don't socialize with students. Sometimes just being seen in public with a student can lead to people assuming the worst.
• Don't ever think being falsely accused can't happen to you. It can.