This standard is one that is so vital and yet so frustrating to me. In many ways it feels as though educators are held to a higher bar than almost anyone else, especially in smaller communities. Your dirty laundry is aired, and according to this standard that’s okay.
In a work setting, and a public (around children) setting this makes sense. An educator must be professional in action and presentation. In the sense that a parent could be upset by an educator being in an establishment they are legally allowed to be in, partaking in a vice that is common and legal is where I have issue. Or being searchable online and finding out *gasp* the educator has been to a beach? For shame.
There is a line to be drawn and it needs to be clear to protect educators just existing as people outside of their careers. Now that being said of course there are instances where conduct outside of work begins to taint the image of an educator in a valid way, acts of violence, law breaking etc become real causes for concern. I am very curious about where these lines have been drawn in past as a precedent, and where they are moving in the future.