::: MTAC Palo Alto Branch -- Code of Ethics :::

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Preamble

We, the members of the Music Teachers' Association of California, having dedicated ourselves to the advancement of the standards in music education shall:

Maintain the highest moral standards and conduct towards colleagues, students and the community;
Participate in the activities of the Association;
Respect the dignity and work of our colleagues;
Develop and maintain a professional relationship between teachers and students;
Encourage, guide, and develop students toward fulfillment of their musical potential, and
Participate in and encourage students to be involved in community music activities.

Code of Ethics

The members of the Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto Branch are expected 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. Put the best interest of the student ahead of personal prestige or gain

4. Refrain from claiming a student as one's own until after a six-month period, or 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 precious teacher and resolved all financial obligations

Guidelines for Transfer of Students

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.

ADOPTED March 11, 1997