How can you lead with integrity in the classroom?

According to me, integrity involves being true to your own philosophy and that reflects in your professional life too. Knowing why you chose the field helps you become a better teacher. Professional satisfaction comes only when your actions are aligned with a purpose, which defines integrity .Teaching goes beyond imparting knowledge. It also involves character building, imparting values and trying to make a difference.

As a teacher you are a role model for each of your students. This requires honesty, answering every question--even if you just did and they weren't listening, no shaming, just empower each student. Find something unique, a skill, an attribute that each individual already has and help them see their strengths so they can be successful.

One major factor to lead with integrity in the classroom, is that the teacher must keep her/himself from any biases. Teachers should treat each students equally. Many times, teachers pay more attention towards those students who scores higher in the subject. On the contrary, a teacher should develop unique methods by which weaker students' knowledge in the subject gets uplifted.

Leading with integrity in the classroom means being honest, fair, and doing the right thing. Always be truthful with your students, admit when you make a mistake, and treat everyone fairly. Show respect to your students and listen to their ideas. Stick to the rules and be a good role model. When you lead with integrity, you build trust with your students, and they learn the importance of honesty and fairness from your example.

I do believe, we are imperfect in our perfection: even teachers. Learning is on-going process till the last breathe. Consistency in all perspectives is the most powerful tool to lead integrity. Here the story ends!

One thing I want to add is to be like a good parent to the students and have some consistent principles. Try to build a good rapport with them .This will help you in your teaching.

Consistency, whilst important, should always be applied with empathy. It's possible to enforce a rule whilst also empathising about how frustrated the student must feel that they have to experience the consequences of their action. Make sure you are listening and asking why the rule was broken. It's far easier to accept, and learn from, a consequence when you feel heard. Importantly, it also means that you retain the relationship with the student of mutual respect, allowing you to teach them effectively in the future.

When educators consistently apply rules, expectations, and consequences, students perceive the classroom as a predictable space where everyone is held to the same standards. This uniformity in approach builds trust between teachers and students, demonstrating that decisions are not arbitrary but are rooted in principles and fairness. Consistency also contributes to a sense of stability, fostering a positive learning atmosphere. Students are more likely to respect and follow guidelines when they know what to expect, leading to a smoother and more productive educational experience.

I make sure I walk the talk, and do as I say. This has helped me build rapport,earn trust and respect from my students and be more of a mentor, and a parent to them. In most cases, some call me Mom, Ma'am and this builds confidence in them that we have someone to trust. Integrity is so vital in the teaching profession, the students we teach tend to copy what educators do. When the educators integrity is in question, learners will even have issues understanding what the particular educator is teaching them

It's OK to say "Sorry",if you misbehave in the class.Show your respect to your learners so that they learn from you.They are like a sponge that absorb all your deeds so,let them absorb best things.

One thing I like to remind myself is that there is always something I can apologise for. If I want an apology from a student, I need to be able to model the behaviour. No matter what has gone wrong in my classroom, it's likely that they've become dysregulated, which has lead to poor behaviour, and I can apologise for not noticing that sooner. Being willing to accept my part in whatever circumstances have occurred, sets the tone for both of us to be able to evaluate our behaviours together without judgement.

Be humble enough to show you’re human. Making mistakes is apart of the learning process. Failing means you’re growing. Bring your students along as you grow as a teacher and build relationships with them that allow them to feel comfortable to think outside the box and try new things.

Admitting your mistakes is more than about being honest with your students (and yourself). It is also about modeling personal and academic integrity for students.

Nobody is perfect and to accept mistakes is a sign for students that how transparent my facilitators are. If you do not know anything that a child asks for in the class so instead of giving any vague reply it’s always better to say sorry right now I can’t answer your query but I will get back to you in the next class this eventually increases the trust level and bond with children.

Every classroom is a melting pot of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Embrace this diversity by fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and valued. Acknowledge and celebrate differences, encourage discussions on various viewpoints, and incorporate diverse materials and teaching approaches into your lessons.

Get to know your students, show them you care. That will increase rapport and urge students to be respectful. However, you should always draw a certain line. Yes, you should be like a friend to your students, but if you become an actual friend to them, that will overlap with professionalism and your credibility. Other students might think there is bias, and you or your student will not be able to focus. The extensive information you share regarding your personal life can tamper with the learning process.

Respecting and being fair to take feedback, perspective into consideration irrespective of religion, status or performance merit from / during the academic session.

Leading with integrity means celebrating student diversity, fostering inclusivity, and addressing bias. It's like conducting a symphony of unique perspectives. While navigating challenges, acknowledging biases is essential for untangling the knots. Respecting diversity isn't just warm fuzzies; it's preparing students for a world where understanding different perspectives is a superpower.

When educators prioritize diversity, they demonstrate a commitment to fairness, equity, and understanding. By acknowledging and celebrating differences, teachers foster a sense of belonging for every student, contributing to a positive and supportive atmosphere. This commitment to diversity also promotes integrity by ensuring that educational practices and materials reflect a variety of perspectives, helping students develop a well-rounded and unbiased worldview. In essence, leading with integrity in the classroom involves upholding the principles of fairness, equality, and respect for diversity, fostering an environment where all students feel seen, heard, and valued.

I have following this practise of teaching in the system where the students become the teachers and the teachers become the students. In this model they prepare a concept and take up the class. The role of the teacher is of a facilitator facilitating the class in between as well as in the end to add on more to the knowledge on that concept. This way the students become independent, vocal, confident and empowered to speak without fear in large group settings.

As a psychology teacher, I prioritize making my students feel heard and understood. Once they sense this, their engagement in the classroom noticeably increases, leading to the emergence of unique ideas.

Now the learning process is changed. Teachers should give the challenges to the students by MCQ'S, so that they can seach and learn,with this their confidence level will be increased and they will prove themselves with the help of the teachers.

Lead by example. Foster an environment that each child feels safe in. Setting this foundation allows for open communication and comfortably sharing thoughts and questions.

A student’s viewpoint matters greatly. When they can express themselves, it allows the teacher a way to assess what they are learning and adjust instruction to their needs. Secondly, students who express their ideas freely are able to identify things they know and build confidence in themselves. Additionally, confident students are better able to learn more with that positive mindset. A teacher who allows more opportunities for students to share their views is a teacher who empowers their students.

Do not see yourself as a superior. Your students are not lesser than you just because they do not have the same amount of knowledge/ diplomas. That creates a strong disconnect, tampering with your credibility as your students will think you are simply stuck-up, expecting too much from students. To establish rapport and facilitate integrity, you need respect and humility the most.