https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7 INAPPROPRIATE STUDENT/STAFF RELATIONSHIPS en-us 2022-06-18 15:09:44 UTC 2022-07-23 03:57:47 UTC hello@padlet.com aguerrero281 https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2247882886 There is a fine line between a professional student/ staff relationship and an inappropriate relationship. This is a legal and ethical topic that has emerged more in the last decade, as laws and cultures have evolved. While the more common problem seen is when staff members manipulate students into having a personal or sexual relationship with them, there are other instances where professionals become friends and still cross a line. I chose this topic because I feel that is it  a serious issue I may come across in my future role as a school counselor, so I will need to be prepared to handle it.]]> 2022-07-22 01:17:41 UTC https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2247882886 aguerrero281 https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2247889842 A School Counselor must adhere to legal, ethical, and district policies and guidelines regarding relationships with students. This includes refraining from using social media or text to communicate. School counselors need to assess risks and benefits prior to extending relationships with students outside of school. ]]> 2022-07-22 01:28:23 UTC https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2247889842 aguerrero281 https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2247966285 A school counselor failed her student ethically and legally by having an inappropriate relationship. Staff members who lack the discipline and respect for their role and responsibility to their campus and students, are adding to the problem of inappropriate relationships. ]]> 2022-07-22 03:18:37 UTC https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2247966285 aguerrero281 https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2247970664 A high school teacher wanted to be friends with a student, thus trying to carry on an inappropriate relationship. When the student told her teacher that she did not want to hang out or have a friendship outside of school, she continued to pursue the student. ]]> 2022-07-22 03:26:19 UTC https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2247970664 aguerrero281 https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248288863 For this interview, I spoke with Courtney Trejo, a high school counselor who has students in 9th-12th grades. She says that although she has never seen a legal case of an inappropriate relationship between student & staff, she has assisted with ethical dilemmas on her campus. "Sometimes the students think their coach, sponsor, or teacher is their friend and the lines can get blurry. If the adult does not draw the line and remind the students of their role, things can get complicated. We've had administrators talk to staff members before because they were concerned and didn't want problems with that.", she said. 

During our interview, she also mentioned the state required trainings staff members must complete regarding sexual harassment, inappropriate student/staff relationships, and the legal matters regarding these topics. She said the best practice they have is to remind the staff of how to approach these situations and  consequences that can come along with them at the beginning of the year. She says in her role, she works more with the student who may be saying their talking to a staff member outside of school and she would let the staff member talk to an administrator. She also works to remind the students that they need to maintain respect with all staff members and give them a safe space if they feel that they have been disrespected.  She says coaches spend so much time with their players outside of school that they can become more comfortable with each other, or become friendlier outside of their sport. Even if it's not sexual, these relationships or friendships can't happen and everyone needs to maintain ethical boundaries too.
Trejo says that in high school, it's not just staff members who can be manipulative. Students and staff might both try to have an inappropriate relationship and her job is to be vigilant and advocate for the safety of everyone on campus. ]]> 2022-07-22 17:29:23 UTC https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248288863 aguerrero281 https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248290829 Texas Penal Code Sec. 21.12 “Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student” 

-Texas law states that any school employee who engages in sexual conduct with a person enrolled at that school has committed a felony of the second degree.]]> 2022-07-22 17:35:31 UTC https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248290829 aguerrero281 https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248296554 Fundamental Right to Privacy as Defined by the Supreme Court of the United States
The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibits any state from “depriving any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law . . . .” The Court has not consistently articulated privacy interests, but it has determined that the “right to privacy,” includes the right to marital privacy, the right of reproductive freedom, and the right of intimate association. The counterargument for this (in order to protect the student) is that the Court did not extend the right to privacy to involve persons who might be injured or coerced or who are situated in relationships where consent might not easily be refused. ]]> 2022-07-22 17:54:52 UTC https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248296554 aguerrero281 https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248370748  Page 41 includes policies for harassment of students. It says that romantic or inappropriate social relationships between students and district employees are prohibited. ]]> 2022-07-22 23:45:24 UTC https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248370748 aguerrero281 https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248371608 18 U.S. Code § 2243 says sexual abuse of a minor, a ward, or an individual in Federal custody. is at least four years younger than the person so engaging; or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.]]> 2022-07-22 23:49:46 UTC https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248371608 aguerrero281 https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248374124 10 USC 920: Art. 120 Rape and sexual assault. Discusses laws and explains punishments set forth if these laws are broken. ]]> 2022-07-23 00:03:08 UTC https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248374124 aguerrero281 https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248378834 The ASCA Ethical Standards: F. Ethical Decision- Making. Section F. (g) gives the model a school counselor should follow when faced with an ethical dilemma which are, beneficence, autonomy, non-maleficence, justice, fidelity. ]]> 2022-07-23 00:26:50 UTC https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248378834 aguerrero281 https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248427640 Reviewing this topic allowed me to see the different parts and viewpoints to a dilemma regarding an inappropriate student and staff member relationship. There are many ways this can come about and as a school counselor, I will need to be prepared to see everyone's point of view. I will also need to be prepared to cooperate should any legal or ethical standards be broken. This is a touchy subject and traumatic for all involved, especially with jobs or jailtime on the line. I will need to do my best to contain my personal thoughts and feelings when helping a student or staff member, while still staying within reason of ethics and law. It can get confusing because my priority is safety so if I feel that a line has been crossed, it is my duty to report the situation, while still offering my support when possible.]]> 2022-07-23 03:51:27 UTC https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248427640 aguerrero281 https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248429024 *Ensure all staff members receive training about the law and policies regarding inappropriate student/staff relationships, as well as the consequences. 

*Provide a listening ear and guidance to students/staff, while remaining unbiased.

*Report any suspected child abuse, sexual abuse, or inappropriate relationship between a student and staff member.

*Keep documentation of important information regarding the situation.

*Report information regarding the situation to stakeholders or administrators.

*Comply with officials for any investigations.

*Continue to provide support to the student(s), parents involved in the situation,  while remaining neutral.


]]> 2022-07-23 03:57:47 UTC https://padlet.com/aguerrero281/7eh5gnrlksxh3aa7/wish/2248429024