Educators have a great responsibility as leaders and instructors for children. They also spend some of the most sustained time working with youth. In the average family, children come and go, have many outlets, extensions and places in the house and community to pursue interests.

Even in the single parent family, the ratio is frequently no higher than 1:5 and younger children often receive support and nurturing from older sibs.

Enter the school situation. Now we have a teacher, sometimes with as high a ratio as 1:30. There is one single room to contain everyone and all activities most of the school day. All children are approximately the same age and level of development, so there are few older caretaker figures to nurture and add support for children who need that relationship.

Evaluation enters the picture, especially recently. It is imperative for each child to move forward academically, learning enough to be in the top 50% of the nation's children with respect to learning. In many classrooms, social, emotional, physical and philosophical growth is also addressed. Centered in this, is a clear understanding that children must also be safe and remain so from the time they leave home until they return after school.

Evidence of professionalism includes ethical guidelines in addition to any laws that provide protection or rights. This is particularly important with respect to treatment of children and discipline or sanctions applied.

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