Is it ethical to steal another teachers creative ideas, and when confronted to lie about it?

I tend to agree with Rick J. That is pretty low.

It’s nice to know you work with people you can’t trust, isn’t it.

(note the sarcastic tone there)

I have to say that the Kids are the focus. Their education must be foremost, even to the other teacher your having a tiff with.

You have done all you really can, confrontation usually works as you can tell from body language if the person is uncomfortable about talking about it, its easy to spot a lie. I would have to advise that you keep your ideas more or less close to yourself if this has got to you. Be careful who you trust. Maybe in the future you should miss out the “cherry on the top” in your lesson plans when discussing it with a workmate.

Yes they are. But there needs to be consistent reason in the application of these rules besides: for the good of everyone. This is probably the reason that Eastern philosophies have some sort of a higher consequence mechanism like Karma for example. Let me give an Example: I teach my child that doing good onto others is necessary. My child asks why. I inform him or her that if you do, this will ensure that you will be treated right as well. Wrong. This does not ensure that they be treated well. My child will believe me for the moment, but as they grow older they will realize there is no ensurance of such a thing. The child grows up to create their own version of the Golden Rule and I lose all credibility as far as being wise goes. If I say: It is because we are good people and we must be good, and stop there, without attributing this ‘goodness’ to anything else, the child will grow up to realize that goodness on its own means nothing apart from sacrificing your own wellbeing for example, for the wellbeing of others. Again, this is against the natural tendency to preserve oneself. Materialistic views and ethics without the balance of a divine consequence, leaves those ethical rules to mean nothing. The child understands, the world is gonna end anyway. Im gonna die anyway. Im not going to have another life anyway. So why dont I work to give myself MORE than what anyone else has??? Why bother being good if this goodness means the sacrifice of my own welfare? And why sacrifice for the sake of sacrificing?

My answer for teaching kids (K – 12) is different than for college and professional institutions. In the latter case, lesson plans are like intellectual capital, and she needed to ask your permission to use yours. But teaching kids has to be a team effort by the whole faculty, with the education of the students being the central moral focus. She should have shared with you her intent to use your approach in class, and she violated this protocol. But if her lesson plan was inferior to yours, she would have been neglecting her primary obligation to the kids if she didn’t use your approach. In this case she owes you two apologies – one for lacking the courtesy of telling you her intent, and another for lying about it.

In the case of college level classes, if you can find any proof (e.g. some aspect of the lesson that could only have come from you) it could merit asking the department head for advice.

Do not allow this teacher’s lack of ethics bother you. Her lie came from her insecurity. As far as stealing your ideas, remember that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” The most important consideration is the students; if your ideas are conducive for student learning, be glad that others are using them.

Even though it would make me angry, it wouldn’t really matter too much unless you were trying to publish a book or something. It would, however, tell you that you probably shouldn’t trust this person with any other information.

Hey emulation is the highest form of flattery.

I totally agree with Mike.

Yes too much of a coincidence, keep your distance.

It happens all the time ! As someone has already mentioned, emulation is…………….. Next time, just keep your ideas to yourself.