ENJOINING DISCRETION IN THE EXCHANGE AMONG PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS

ELEN M. DECENA Often times, conflicts arise in the school community by the sharing and indiscreetly passing around news and loose talk which ultimately demoralizes not only the administrators and the faculty but also the school children and their parents.

It seems that by the shape of things today, not much has changed in this regard compared to the time I was still a student. Teachers gossiping in the halls and corridors are still much of a common sight. And not a few of these indiscreet exchanges have resulted in conflicts between and among teachers, parents and students. Worse, some have unfortunately resulted in administrative and yes, even criminal cases.

Do not get me wrong though. Socialization and healthy exchange of ideas among teachers and students promote a very friendly and welcoming environment. But when it exceeds the bounds of common decency and threads on dangerous grounds, this sort of talk should be discouraged. In my youth, some of our teachers scandalized our young minds by openly sharing loose talk and gossip about this administrator or teacher. The details were quite audible from where we were standing. Not that we were really listening but it was so difficult to ignore what was being said. And in some cases, enterprising students would play on the issues and run a talk mill here and there the news get bigger and wilder and eventually conflicts arise.

The sad part is when these conflicts turn into the worst scenarios of heated exchanges and even physical hurt. The situation is further aggravated when it divides the school community as each takes a side on the issue. The irony sometimes though is that many of these who get involved or those who get themselves involved are not really parties to conflict. The end result — a divided school community whose wound may take a lot of time to heal Some teachers get involved In these protracted conflicts that they nurse their wounds until retirement.

The best way to avert this sordid affair is for teachers to exercise ample discretion in their exchanges with their fellow faculty members, the students, and yes even with parents Teachers should share personal information in the strictest confines avoiding being heard by students or persons whom they think should not have access to such information. They should also avoid loose talk in the middle of class periods or public gatherings, or even the appearance that they may be engaged in some senseless talk. It should also be borne In mind that information that should be shared at work pertains only to professional and/ or academic information which may improve instruction. Personal matters, biases and loose talks should be avoided by teachers.

Teachers should also exercise a good measure of discretion when sharing information with their students and their parents. Not everything should be disclosed to students even if they have managed to earn a teacher’s trust. Comments or undue Information about fellow teachers or administrators or even students should at all time be avoided.

In sum, proper discretion in the sharing and dissemination of information In a school community should promote unity and understanding more than strife and division.

— oOo— III at Cacutud Elementary School, Arayat The author is Teacher West District