Teacher Responsibilities
Mandated reporting
New York teachers are mandated reporters. If you have reasonable suspicion of child abuse or maltreatment - a low threshold, not proof - you must personally report to the State Central Register and follow your building protocol. You do not investigate, conduct a lengthy interview, contact the family, or promise secrecy. 'I'll keep this between us' is never acceptable; say instead that you will help and must tell an adult whose job is keeping students safe. Telling only the principal does not satisfy the legal duty.
Confidentiality and records
FERPA gives parents (and students 18 and older) the right to inspect records, request amendment, and limit disclosure. Sharing information with colleagues who have a legitimate educational interest is permitted; gossiping in the faculty room, posting grades publicly, or discussing a student with other parents is not. Protect IEP, medical, and discipline information accordingly.
Harassment, safety, and conduct
New York's Dignity for All Students Act requires schools to address bullying and harassment based on race, color, weight, national origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), and sex. Teachers document and report incidents to the building coordinator. You are responsible for supervision - never leave a class unsupervised - and for professional boundaries, including on social media. Corporal punishment is prohibited.
Traps
- Believing you need proof, or that a colleague's report discharges your personal duty.
- Assuming confidentiality forbids all internal communication.
- Using a personal social media account to connect with students.
Rule of thumb
When a student discloses harm: listen, thank them, do not promise secrecy, document objectively, report.
Worked example. A student shows a bruise and asks you not to tell. You listen without probing, decline to promise confidentiality, write down the student's exact words, and call the State Central Register the same day.