American Journal of Educational Research, 2025, Vol. 13, No. 2, 46-51 Available online at http://pubs.sciepub.com/education/13/2/1 Published by Science and Education Publishing DOI:10.12691/education-13-2-1 Factors Affecting Teacher Professionalism and Ethical Considerations in West Cluster of Schools, Division of Santiago City, Philippines Armenia V. Ingaran 1,* , Erlito B. Madriaga 2 , Peter Paul S. Cagatao 3 , Romiro G. Bautista 4 1 Graduate School, University of La Salette, Inc., Santiago City, Philippines; Department of Education, Schools Division Office, Santiago City, Philippines 2 Graduate School, University of La Salette, Inc., Santiago City, Philippines; Department of Education, Schools Division Office, Quirino, Philippines 3 Graduate School, University of La Salette, Inc., Santiago City, Philippines 4 Graduate School, University of La Salette, Inc., Santiago City, Philippines; International Relations Office, Quirino State University, Diffun, Quirino, Philippines *Corresponding author: Received December 29, 2024; Revised January 31, 2025; Accepted February 07, 2025 Abstract Teacher professionalism and ethical conduct are vital for effective education systems. This descriptive quantitative study examined factors influencing these aspects among elementary teachers in the West Cluster of Schools Division of Santiago City. The study involved 101 teachers from seven public elementary schools. Data were collected via a validated and reliable researcher-made questionnaire checklist (Cronbach's alpha = 0.981). Results showed no significant differences in professionalism levels based on demographic variables such as age, educational qualification, academic rank, years of teaching experience, and number of trainings attended. Key factors influencing professionalism were administrative support, collaborative work environment, resources and support for teaching, professional development opportunities, and workload management. The findings suggest that these factors are crucial for fostering teacher professionalism and ethical behavior. The study highlights the importance of tailored professional development programs that address teachers' unique needs, promoting continuous improvement and ethical integrity. These insights provide a basis for policy recommendations aimed at enhancing teacher professionalism through targeted interventions and resource allocation. Further research is needed to explore these dynamics in other educational contexts and extend the findings to different school clusters and levels. Keywords: teacher professionalism, ethical conduct, professional development, school climate Cite This Article: Armenia V. Ingaran, Erlito B. Madriaga, Peter Paul S. Cagatao, and Romiro G. Bautista, “Factors Affecting Teacher Professionalism and Ethical Considerations in West Cluster of Schools Division of Santiago City.” American Journal of Educational Research, vol. 13, no. 2 (2025): 46-51. doi: 10.12691/education-13-2-1. 1. Introduction Teacher professionalism and ethical considerations are fundamental components of the educational system, significantly influencing the quality of education and shaping the character and values of future citizens. Professionalism in teaching encompasses attributes such as subject-matter expertise, ethical conduct, continuous learning, and adherence to legal and moral standards. Ethical considerations guide teachers in their interactions with students, colleagues, parents, and the broader community, emphasizing integrity and moral conduct. Ethical standards and considerations in the teaching profession involve actions that may affect students academically. Teachers who are aware of moral or ethical principles treat their students fairly and respectfully, protect their students from harm, and develop professionally acceptable relationships with their students [1,2]. By contrast, teachers who are not aware of the moral principles required for teaching, do not behave as ethical professionals. Teachers of this category become unfit for influencing effective teaching and learning of universal related values such as integrity, honesty, civic education, and moral education [3,4,5,6]. Factors such as professional development, a supportive school environment, and effective administrative leadership are critical to maintaining high standards of teacher professionalism and ethics. Ubani [7] and Astuti and Arini [8] underscore the need for ongoing development and adherence to ethical behavior, highlighting the role of comprehensive ethical guidelines and supportive professional cultures. Ethical considerations are crucial in guiding teachers' interactions, emphasizing integrity and moral conduct [9].