Teacher’s Bill of Rights

In our attempts to accommodate and make known to the Seeker their rights we cannot negate the rights of those that are sought as Teachers. To that end we have assembled the following list of items that we feel Teachers should have as unalienable rights.

(Teacher’s Bill of Rights compiled by Salem, a Board member of the Oklahoma Pagan/Heathen Alliance)
 

1. The Right to Verify Credentials - When a prospective student comes to a teacher and claims training or teaching from another group or individual the teacher has the right to contact the previous instructor(s) and ask questions such as how the student performed, how they worked within the teaching environment, and why they are no longer under that group’s tutelage.


 

2. The Right to Anonymity - Teachers have set aside great deals of their time and energy to give to others through the teaching process. They may have jobs, family, or acquaintances that they do not wish to know their spiritual practices. When the student comes to the teacher they understand that the teacher has the right to anonymity and privacy. The student understands that their personal information is not to be shared with others.
   
   If the matter is in regard to a new teacher wishing to contact a former teacher then the former teacher should be asked for permission to give out their contact information.
    

3. The Right to Financial Stability - While some teachers may provide all necessary class materials from their own funds, a student cannot expect every teacher to do this. To that end it is reasonable for the teacher to ask for monthly dues to cover the costs of printing and supplies that may be needed for the student’s instruction.
    

4. The Right to Compensation for Professional Goods & Services - Teachers, like everyone else, have skills and job sets that extend past the student/teacher sphere. In that regard the student should not expect the teacher to give discounts or gratis rates on things that they do to earn their living. This would extend to healing arts such as Reiki and Readings.
   
   At the same time the teacher understands that they are not to use the lure of “you have to have this type of training in a particular skill” to coerce money from the student.
    

5. The Right to Sexual Freedom - Differing cultures and traditions have different views with regard to sexual relationships between teachers and students. This extends to the fact that the teacher shall never use sex as a ploy with regards to “power over” a student. If the two are consenting adults then that is their own business as to whom they have sex with.
    

6. The Right to Abide by the Law - Teachers shall not be placed in the situation that they can be in legal trouble from a student’s actions or lifestyle. This would extend, but is not limited to, transportation or concealing illegal drugs.
    

7. The Right to Separation with Impunity - Teachers have the right to discontinue instruction with a student if the teacher feels that irreconcilable differences have arisen. There should be no concern or fear that the student will go about spreading falsehoods about the teacher.
    

8. The Right to be at Peace with One's Conscience - Teachers shall not be required or coerced into committing any action contrary to their own sense of ethics and morality.