This page preserves the Academy’s current servant standards while presenting them in the new website design. Academy leadership should review policy language periodically as programs and safeguarding procedures evolve.
1. Purpose & Calling
Servants are entrusted with the spiritual, educational, and personal well-being of children and teens. The role is pastoral as well as instructional, requiring integrity, humility, and faithfulness to the teachings and life of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Servants are expected to reflect Christ in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity (1 Timothy 4:12).
2. Faith & Teaching Integrity
- Teach the Coptic Orthodox faith in accordance with the teachings and traditions of the Church.
- Do not promote personal theological opinions as Church teaching.
- Avoid unnecessary controversy and dogmatic debate.
- Teach with humility, clarity, and obedience to approved Academy materials.
3. Conduct & Personal Behavior
- Treat students, parents, and fellow servants with respect and dignity.
- Use appropriate, professional, Christ-centered language.
- Avoid sarcasm, ridicule, favoritism, or harsh correction.
- Model emotional maturity, patience, and self-control.
4. Safeguarding & Boundaries
Communication with minors must remain transparent, moderated, and within approved Academy channels.
- No one-on-one private messaging with students.
- No communication through unapproved personal accounts.
- Parents should be included when appropriate.
- Servants should respond as a team where practical and maintain healthy digital boundaries.
5. Online Presence & Digital Conduct
- Model appropriate online behavior.
- Do not engage students through personal social-media relationships.
- Protect student privacy.
- Keep Academy-related communication professional and ministry-focused.
6. Academic Integrity & Fairness
Servants should support honest learning, fair age-appropriate assessment, and student independence. Concerns about dishonesty or misconduct should be handled consistently and reported through Academy leadership.
7. Reporting & Accountability
- Report safeguarding concerns, boundary issues, or serious misconduct promptly.
- Cooperate with Academy leadership and Holy Sophia University oversight.
- Receive correction and guidance with humility.
8. Commitment & Reliability
- Fulfill assigned responsibilities reliably and on time.
- Communicate promptly when unable to serve.
- Work collaboratively and respect the leadership structure.
9. Volunteer Service
Service is a ministry rather than a platform for personal recognition. Volunteers serve in humility and may be removed from a role when conduct conflicts with Academy standards.
10. Acknowledgment
By serving with Theotokos Junior Academy, servants affirm that they understand these expectations and commit to faithful, responsible service within the Coptic Orthodox faith and the Academy’s safeguarding structure.
