MTNA Code of Ethics

Vision and Values
The mission of MTNA is to advance the value of music study and music making in society and to support the professionalism of music teachers.

The mission is accomplished by members who teach with competence, act with integrity, volunteer services to MTNA programs, provide professional support for colleagues and communities, and comply with all laws and regulations that impact the music teaching profession.

The mission calls for an ethical commitment to students, to colleagues, and to society.

Code of Ethics
COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS — The teacher shall conduct the relationship with students and families in a professional manner.

• The teacher shall respect the personal integrity and privacy of students unless the law requires disclosure.
• The teacher shall clearly communicate the expectations of the studio.
• The teacher shall encourage, guide and develop the musical potential of each student.
• The teacher shall treat each student with dignity and respect, without discrimination of any kind.
• The teacher shall respect the student’s right to obtain instruction from the teacher of his/her choice.

• The teacher shall respect the reputation of colleagues and shall refrain from making false or malicious statements about colleagues.
• The teacher shall refrain from disclosing sensitive information about colleagues obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose or is required by law.
• The teacher shall respect the integrity of other teachers’ studios and shall not actively recruit students from another studio.
• The teacher shall participate in the student’s change of teachers with as much communication as possible between parties, while being sensitive to the privacy rights of the student and families.

• The teacher shall accurately represent his/her professional qualifications.
• The teacher shall strive for continued growth in professional competencies.
• The teacher is encouraged to be a resource in the community.

1. A member may report an alleged ethical infringement by another member to the Executive Director. An issue reported first to a member of the Ethical Concerns Committee will be referred to the Executive Director.
2. The Executive Director will send the reporting member an outline of ethical concerns procedures and a request for written documentation, which must contain the specific charges, supporting evidence, and the reporting member's address, phone number, email address, and signature.
3. The Executive Director may stop the process at any point, finding that the issue does not constitute a clear code violation warranting intervention.
4. The Executive Director may be able to expedite a resolution. The member charged with the alleged infringement, if contacted, will be given the opportunity to respond to the reported concern. The reporting member will be made known to the reported member if deemed necessary to facilitate a resolution.
5. When ethical concerns cannot be immediately resolved, the Executive Director will send the submitted documentation to the MTNA Ethical Concerns Committee, along with any response from the reported member.

1. Upon receipt of the ethical concern documentation, the committee will conduct communication with the reporting member and the reported member in an effort to resolve the issue.
2. The reporting member will be made known to the reported member if deemed necessary to facilitate a resolution..
3. The committee may stop the process at any point, finding that a resolution is not forthcoming and further intervention would not be productive.
4. Concerns Committee reports to the Board of Directors will not contain names of the involved members.

1. Particularly grievous ethical offenses may be referred by the committee to the Board of Directors.
2. The Board will send a written notice to the reported member of his/her ethical infringement, possible consequences, and the right to comment or a hearing.
3. The hearing, if requested, will take place at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors, and the member may have legal representation. All costs are the responsibility of the member.
4. The Board may exonerate the member, determine that certain conditions should be met in order to maintain MTNA membership, or terminate membership according to the MTNA Bylaws, Article III/2.
5. If certain conditions should be met in order to maintain membership, the Board will set a deadline for the submission of a report showing that those conditions have been met.