TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV\/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Florida teachers could soon be required to take an oath of office similar to judges and police officers under legislation being considered in the upcoming state legislative session.<\/p>\n
Rep. Tom Fabricio<\/a>, R-Miami Lakes, is sponsoring the bill requiring teachers<\/a> to raise their right hand and swear to protect students before entering classrooms.<\/p>\n \u201cIt elevates the profession and I believe will help parents be more comfortable with leaving their children in the hands of these professionals,\u201d Fabricio said.<\/p>\n Fabricio modeled the proposal after oaths required for lawyers, doctors and other public officials. The oath would require teachers to uphold the Constitution and stick with approved curricula.<\/p>\n \u201cTeachers are role models. They\u2019re very important players and parts to the educational system and to the molding of our future and that\u2019s what this bill is about,\u201d Fabricio said.<\/p>\n Florida Politics<\/p>\n Scott Mazur from the Leon Classroom Teachers Association opposes the bill, saying it\u2019s not needed.<\/p>\n \u201cAs far as the code of ethics already in the constitution, there\u2019s already a clear expectation for behavior that is already above and beyond of what that is as public educators in the state of Florida,\u201d Mazur said.<\/p>\n Mazur said lawmakers should focus on attracting teachers instead.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a lot of educators leaving the profession, leaving the state. Our schools are in crisis and they need support right now,\u201d Mazur said.<\/p>\n