Professionalism and Collaboration
Domain 4, Professionalism and Collaboration, tests ethical conduct, confidentiality, mandated reporting, family partnerships, interdisciplinary teamwork, reflective practice, and your obligations as a licensed Minnesota educator.
Ethics and confidentiality
Know the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct - core values, ideals, and principles, with 'do no harm' guiding dilemmas. Share child information only with those who need it. FERPA covers school records; HIPAA covers health information. No identifiable photos or child stories on social media or in the staff room.
Mandated reporting
You report, you do not investigate, and you do not need proof. Report suspected abuse or neglect immediately to the designated agency (in Minnesota, a verbal report generally within 24 hours, with written follow-up within 72 hours under statute), then notify your supervisor per policy. Tell the family only if it will not endanger the child.
Collaboration
Families are partners: two-way communication, interpreters and translated materials, and their input in planning. Bring documented observations, not labels, and involve the family before any referral. Team with special education (IEP/IFSP), therapists, co-teachers, and administrators; write objective, behavior-specific notes.
Worked example
A parent asks whether her 3-year-old has autism. You cannot diagnose. You share specific observations ('he covers his ears at music; he has not yet used words with peers'), explain the screening-to-evaluation pathway, offer the district's early childhood screening, and ask what she sees at home. The team determines eligibility, not the teacher.
Traps that cost marks
Promising secrecy; gossiping; diagnosing; referring without the family's knowledge; opinions in records ('he is lazy'); escalating conflict in writing; treating collaboration as a single meeting.