C-3.1 Staff Code of Conduct

Virtuous Character:  One of the chief components of American Prep's mission statement articulates that our students will develop positive character traits based on concrete measurements. Our students will develop good character largely to the extent that they see it modeled daily by the important role models in their lives. Thus, it is vital that the American Prep staff demonstrate good character in word and deed at all times, including in the community and on social media platforms. Staff will impart to students the principles of good citizenship and societal responsibility through direct teaching and personal example. 

Humility and Honesty:  Staff members should strive to be humble. Humility is the gateway to scholarship. Staff members should also work to be perfectly honest and utterly reliable. Students will develop confidence in the staff as they witness the staff of American Prep treating others with respect, dignity, kindness, and fairness. As human nature dictates, we are not perfect, and staff will consistently employ humility by acknowledging when they are wrong and quickly make amends. Students will follow this example, and their lives will be changed.

Mentoring:  Students will learn positive conflict resolution and problem-solving methods as they observe the American Prep staff utilize positive, cooperative, democratic methods to work through everyday challenges. Staff members should strive to live these high standards and, when they fall short, should employ humility.

Specifically, staff should refrain from using a raised voice, and the communication model outlined in this manual should be followed.   

Physical contact guidelines:  Staff members should refrain from physical contact with students. Most physical contact is inappropriate for staff members with regard to students. Exceptions are handshakes, high fives, fist bumps, and "side" hugs (an arm across a shoulder). Staff should never attempt to restrain or redirect a student utilizing physical force. The only exception is when the safety of the student or another student(s) is in jeopardy, and it is clear to the staff member that an intervention is necessary to prevent injury to the student or others.

Limitations on sexual discourse:  Staff members are not to speak to students regarding sexual topics, with the exception of specified classes and utilizing an approved curriculum. If a student approaches a teacher and wishes to discuss topics related to human sexuality, the staff member should include an administrator in the discussion or refer the student to a school counselor.

Decency:  Staff members are not to discuss topics that may be considered crude or offensive to students or others. Staff members may not violate generally accepted community standards of decency. Staff members should take care to refrain from using slang that may be offensive to students' religious beliefs.

Transparency:  Staff should never direct students to keep information from their parents regarding what happens in a classroom, at the school, or regarding something the teacher has said or done in any setting. Doing so is justification for immediate suspension and potential termination.  

Violation of Standards:  Behavior that does not meet the high standards outlined in the Staff Manual will result in an administrative conference and possible loss of employment.

Indoctrination and Politicizing of the School Environment: American Prep maintains a professional and politically neutral environment, free from indoctrination. Indoctrination in this policy is defined as teaching, expressing, or otherwise presenting an uncritical or single point of view absent a holistic and relevant presentation of a topic as prescribed by APA's course curriculum. APA supports appropriate class discussion of curricular topics. Current events are part of the curriculum in certain classes at APA, and teachers should seek confirmation of their understanding of this policy when teaching courses where current events are part of the course curriculum. Discussion of historical topics in appropriate classes is vital to classical education and a requirement of Utah K-12 schools (see code citation below). Historical topics should be presented utilizing primary sources whenever possible and align with the course objectives and school vision. Examples of indoctrination include inappropriate or irrelevant sharing of one's political or religious personal views on historical events outside the school curriculum and vision or in contradiction of Utah Code. 

According to Utah Code 53G-10-204, Civic and Character Education, teaching students about our constitutional republic and principles of representative democracy in Utah and the United States, including information related to democratic values and institutions, with the purpose of encouraging students to become deeply attached to such values is an obligation of K-12 public schools; specifically:

1. teaching students the values of honesty, integrity, morality, civility, duty, honor, service, and obedience to law; 
2. teaching respect for and an understanding of the Declaration of Independence and the constitutions of the United States and of the state of Utah;
3. teaching the essentials and benefits of the free enterprise system; 
4. teaching respect for parents, home, and family; 
5. teaching the dignity and necessity of honest labor; 
6. teaching other skills, habits, and qualities of character which will promote an upright and desirable citizenry and better prepare students to recognize and accept responsibility for preserving and defending the blessings of liberty inherited from prior generations and secured by the constitution

 These principles should be taught throughout the grade levels, are not subject to political neutrality as current events may be, and shall not be deemed indoctrination at APA. 

APA values its teachers and staff members and has instituted many policies and programs to make APA a great place for employment. Care is taken to treat employees with respect and gratitude, and to honor the great contribution our staff makes to our school and specifically, to our students. Thus, termination is reserved for incidents of gross violation of school policy, or in situations where no other way forward is deemed feasible in light of the school's responsibility to its mission. The reasons for termination or discipline listed in this manual are not all-inclusive. The Board retains the right to terminate employment with or without cause, and to determine whether cause for termination or discipline exists, regardless of whether such cause is included in this list.

At its discretion, the School, operating through its Board of Directors and the Administrators, may establish policies, guidelines, and regulations for the operation of the School. When the School, at its discretion, determines that progressive disciplinary steps, warnings, or staff evaluations are in its best interest, it will employ those tools. However, no policy, guideline, regulation, or practice relating to the training and discipline of staff shall create any expectation of continued employment or any expectation of any particular process or disciplinary procedure.

Because all boundaries and/or interactions cannot be addressed in a single policy, it is each staff member's obligation to avoid situations that could prompt suspicion of inappropriate interactions by parents, students, colleagues, or school leaders. Trespassing the boundaries of acceptable professional behavior is deemed an abuse of power and a betrayal of public trust. If you have questions regarding what constitutes "professional behavior," please see your supervisor.