The Ethical Line

Toni Faddis, EdD, is a Corwin author and full-time professional learning consultant. Toni was previously a bilingual teacher and Reading Recovery specialist in elementary and middle schools, as well as a principal in San Diego. In addition, Toni served as a district central office leader responsible for equity, access, and leadership development throughout the largest elementary school district in California. She holds teaching and administrative services credentials in California and earned her doctoral degree in educational leadership from San Diego State University. Toni also mentors and coaches current and aspiring school leaders in the Educational Leadership Department at San Diego State University. Toni is the co-author of PLC+: A Playbook for Instructional Leaders, Collaborating Through Collective Efficacy Cycles, and The Ethical Line.

Foreword by Douglas Fisher Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction The Ethical Line Temptations Lurk Everywhere Tough Choices How This Book Can Help Features You Will Find Chapter 1: Know Thyself Strategy #1: Identify and Model Your Core Values The New Normal Your Ethical Line Right vs. Right Situations When Moral Compasses Falter Strategy #2: Be Curiously Introspective Find Kindred Spirits Practice Self-Care Express Gratitude Build Resilience Take a Cognitive Time-Out Pause to Regroup Calm Mental Chatter Dare to Imagine Chapter 2: Examine Your Community's Values Strategy #3: Listen Generously Characteristics of Outstanding Listeners Practice Empathy Strategy #4: Create an Inclusive School Climate Promote Emotional Well-Being Engender Teamwork Facilitate Collaborative Leadership Recognize the Signs of an Unhealthy School Climate Stimulate a Healthy School Climate Foster Collective Efficacy Strategy #5: Discover Your Community's Hopes and Dreams Explore Community Assets and Examine Your Leadership Privilege Take the Pulse of Your Community Regularly Empathic Interviewing Strategy #6: Unify Around a Collective Vision Which Values Guide Your Organization? Making Sense of Norms and Codes of Conduct Study Colleagues' Behavior Chapter 3: Adhere to Ethical and Legal Parameters Professional Standards for Educational Leaders Strategy #7: Consider Moral and Legal Consequences of Decisions PSEL Standard 2: Ethics and Professional Norms Lead With Moral Courage A Framework for Making Ethical Decisions The Seven Steps of Ethical Decision Making Strategy #8: Ensure Equitable Processes and Outcomes PSEL Standard 3: Advocate for All Summary Chapter 4: Promote an Ethical School Culture Strategy #9: Walk the Talk Be an Architect of Equity Model Innovation and Empathy Provide Clear Rationale for Decisions Characteristics of Constructive Dialogue Strategy #10: Become a Strategic Influencer Defining Moments Mental Preparation Facilitate Win-Win Situations Never Stop Learning and Growing Conclusion Implementation Steps References Index

This is a must read for any school leader. We face ethical decisions every day. This book provides practical and realistic tools to help every leader who is faced with challenging situations and decisions throughout their school year. The author does a superb job of aligning the leaders heart, head, and ethics in the decision-making process of school leaders. The students and staff reap the benefits from a leader inspired by this book. -- Holly Leach, Superintendent, Everett, WA This book provides useful strategies and structures, drawn from the field, to assist leaders at all levels better understand the complexities if ethical leadership. -- Ray Boyd, Principal; Beechboro, Western Australia "The daily decisions of school leaders are shaped by a set of personal and professional ethics that influence every interaction we have with students, colleagues, and families. Toni Faddis provides clear and coherent guidelines for helping leaders locate and adhere to a set of ethical standards, and interrogate one's own biases. The outcome is an assurance that all decisions, large and small, are grounded in an ethical frame." -- Nancy Frey "An innovative and thoughtful approach to addressing real-life ethical concerns of educational practitioners. With its 10 leadership strategies, The Ethical Line is a must-read for all educators. Kudos to Dr. Faddis for this important contribution to the field." -- Jacqueline Stefkovich, JD "Dr. Faddis skillfully captures the very essence of what leaders at all levels of the organization must do to solve complex issues in which there are no easy solutions. In a time where integrity and ethical leadership is paramount when faced with solving tough issues, Dr. Faddis provides hope and proven strategies to keep leaders from crossing the ethical line." -- David Lorden "I have come to know and rely on Toni Faddis as an effective equity-driven school leader. I have every confidence that those who read this book will come to the same conclusion. More importantly, the book presents 10 ethically driven strategies to help us become the school leaders that our children, families, educators, and communities deserve." -- Ian Pumpian "Toni Faddis provides a vital work for our time. Schooling is not less complex, it is more complex by the day. In The Ethical Line, we are reminded that schools are 'people places' and only ethical leaders can build the kind of community necessary for each student to thrive and communities to reach their full potential together." -- Bradley Portin "In today's diverse educational systems, leading through an ethical lens is more important than ever. In The Ethical Line, Dr. Faddis presents thoughtful, practical strategies for navigating the moral and ethical challenges educators face each day." -- Janice Cook "As an administrator, being able to have a tool that supports the conversation around ethics makes a strong impact on our school culture. This book allows everyone in the school setting to have common language and understanding of what an ethical school looks and feels like. This book supports the growth of any leader and school community when dealing with difficult situations." -- Dominique Smith "Today's leadership preparation programs aim to create leaders who strive to take personal responsibility for providing the environment that produce empowered, engaged, inspired, and successful learners. In thinking about principal preparation programs, The Ethical Line is the reading that will push your candidates to achieve just this by thinking deeply and reflecting upon who they are and what type of leader they will be once they enter the ranks of school leadership. Dr. Faddis's easy-to-read, practitioner-friendly text provides activities that enhance classroom discussion and complement any program committed to equity-driven leadership and ethical decision making. I highly recommend integrating this important book into your program." -- Lori Rhodes "Dr. Faddis has written an exemplar piece to support and guide school leaders in developing and utilizing an ethical lens when leading diverse schools. The Ethical Line illustrates the need for ethical leadership in a way that is conceivable and achievable, through the implementation of 10 key strategies. This is an essential read for all current and future PreK-12 leaders." -- Sarah Graham