MTAC State Code of Ethics

Music Teachers’ Association of California was founded and incorporated in 1897 under the laws of the State of California to promote the welfare of the music teacher and to elevate the educational and teaching standards of its members. The exacting qualifications for membership in the association establish the20member as a qualified and accredited teacher in the community, thus insuring a professional status. The Code of Ethics maintains a high standard of personal and professional conduct. We, the members of the Music Teachers’ Association of California, having dedicated ourselves to the advancement of the standards in music education, shall:

•  be a musical resource to our community, and encourage our students to be musically involved in their communities

•  encourage, guide, and develop the musical potential of each student

•  refrain from making exaggerated claims or misleading statements concerning our teaching qualifications

•  refrain from making exaggerated promises to students

•  claim as our students only those students who have had a minimum of six months’ continuous instruction with us, and give appropriate credit to the student’s former teacher

•  accept only students who have paid all indebtedness to which their former teacher is entitled

•  refrain from proselytizing the student of another teacher in any way, directly or indirectly, by inducement or innuendo

•  refrain from engaging in activities harmful to the purpose of MTAC, or use our position in MTAC to exploit personal views

•  provide professional assistance to one another when requested, and maintain a professional attitude with integrity toward colleagues within the profession of music

Marin Branch Code of Ethics

(Adopted November 7, 2004)

The members of the Marin County Branch of the Music Teachers' Association of California strive to uphold the highest standards of integrity by maintaining professional and ethical conduct at all times.

Members of the Marin County Branch are encouraged to:

1. Keep open and honest communication between the teacher, the student and the parents

2. Notify students and parents in advance of all fees, studio policies and specific expectations

3. Acknowledge both one's self and the previous teacher for the first six months

It is considered unethical for members to:

1. Willfully or clandestinely contact or entice students from another teacher

2. Publicly disparage the work of a colleague

3. Knowingly accept a student who has not finalized the transfer from his or her previous teacher and resolved all financial obligations

Suggested Professional Guidelines for Teachers

(Adopted November 7, 2004)

In order to maintain a friendly and cordial atmosphere, the following guidelines for accepting new transfer students are recommended for use, at the teacher's discretion.

1. Inform the parents that you will call the previous teacher to finalize the transfer

2. Only one interview with a potential teacher is appropriate. Lessons with a new teacher should begin only after a clear termination of lessons with a previous teacher has taken place

3. In your studio policy, encourage parents to be open and honest about concerns that arise, and about intentions to transfer to new teachers. Be clear about requiring four weeks notice to terminate lessons

The Code of Ethics gives general guidelines for ethical conduct of branch members, but it is up to each member to provide a clear, written policy to his or her students so as to allay the possibility of problems arising between parents and teachers. Having your students and parents sign a contract with you is the best way to ensure that your policies will be met.