Professionalism, Advocacy, and Ethics
Domain 2, Professionalism, Advocacy, and Ethics, tests ethical conduct, confidentiality, cultural responsiveness, professional growth, and how health educators advocate for students and programs.
Ethical practice
- The health education profession’s code of ethics addresses responsibility to the public, the profession, employers, and colleagues; competence; integrity; diversity; and confidentiality.
- Confidentiality has limits: imminent harm to self or others, suspected abuse or neglect, and legal requirements. Follow district policy and mandatory reporting rules.
- Stay within scope: educators teach, screen, refer, and collaborate; they do not diagnose mental or medical conditions.
Advocacy
- Advocacy supports a cause, policy, or resource through education, data, coalition-building, and media. Lobbying seeks to influence specific legislation; know your employer’s rules and do not use school resources improperly.
- Effective advocacy uses local data, a clear ask, stakeholder mapping, evidence, and an evaluation plan.
- Cultural humility means examining your own biases and adapting communication, not assuming one culture’s norms.
Worked example
A teacher wants later start times. She frames the issue with attendance and sleep data, identifies parents, administrators, and community partners, prepares a brief evidence summary, and proposes a pilot with metrics. She does not direct staff to campaign for a ballot measure. The reasoning separates advocacy from prohibited partisan activity.
Traps
Do not promise absolute confidentiality. Do not share identifiable student information in team meetings without need and authorization. Do not label advocacy as lobbying automatically, or lobbying as advocacy. Do not substitute personal opinion for evidence.