Caution for Teachers That Blog In The Digital Age

[williamdjackson]

Caution for Teachers That Blog In The Digital Age
by William Jackson, M.Ed.
#MyQuestToTeach

Many teachers believe they have the absolute
First Amendment right to post anything they
want on social networking sites, including party
pix and diatribes about the boss. After all,
they're on their own time and using their
own resources.
"Social Networking Nightmares" By Mike Simpson
http://www.nea.org/home/38324.htm

Words of caution for teachers that participate
in Social Media. There should be serious
consideration on how words are perceived
and interpreted as a professional educator.
The ability to communicate in the heat of
frustration has created avenues for educators
to be cautious about what they post and how
they are interpreted as professionals.
Social Media has opened doors that allow
communication on digital platforms that
are instant and expansive.
Teachers need to be cautious that the words
they use, memes they post and replies they
provide put them into a light of potential
criticism and public scrutiny.

Many variables come into play during the school
day when engaging with students. The elevation
of emotions that teachers display from the joys
of students being successful, students struggling
to learn, the growth of social influences that are
displaying in classrooms.
Teachers are under stresses, but they must be
able to manage their Social Media posts.

The potential use of technology with
inappropriate and unprofessional comments
from teachers using electronic messaging
throws great strains in a career that demand
professional behaviors and accountability.
 Teachers have implemented the use of online
social resources that allow for connections
during the traditional school hours. One
resource Facebook is a social network for
connecting with multiple people and
instant communication.

The danger is in the height of emotions
instead of teachers using their training in
classroom management, they are using
their phones to lash out and make posts
that can cause them to be administratively
disciplined, put on unpaid leave and even
loose their teaching certificates.   
Teachers should never discuss personal
information about their students,
other teachers and even administrators.
Teachers should never criticize
educational peers or share political, religious
and cultural views that could hurt their
career even when not in school. The perceptions
have the potential to have a career effect
and ripple effect across the educational career.

Professional behavior should be exhibited
at all times, teachers are "called to a higher
sense of responsibility" stated by a North
Carolina teacher where several teachers have
been fired because of their Facebook entries
about students, parents and even educational
peers.
The "content' of writing causes pause in reflecting
about the right to free speech and the right to
post content on social sites. The challenge
comes in question when there is reference to
the student's ability to perform in the
classroom, color of the student, cultural
background and academic ability.
Teachers need to understand there is a First
Amendment Right addressing freedom of speech,
but how is this presented in the responsibility
to be professional, compassionate and sensitive
to the feelings of students and parents.

Common sense issues are interconnected,
teachers should not post things that are private
and confidential about a student. Even if blowing
off steam a wrong wording or TMI (to much
information) can lead to privacy
issues of students and families.

Over 25 years of public education as I have
experienced , there is an increase of teachers
that express their opinions, emotions, and
ideas on digital platforms that do not think
before they post.  What a teacher may think
as funny and harmless can be hurtful and
damaging in the present and the future.

Words of wisdom when posting about the
classroom; if you feel comfortable saying it
to parents and in public then you should be
able to say it in a Blog or on FB.
Technology can break down walls and allow
for collaboration, particularly with parents,
the community and with educational peers.
Teachers should always be cautious about
their online content especially if it relates
to their work with students.

As I have learned from other's experiences
and mistakes, things in your personal life
can and do relate to your professional life
and vice versa. If you have certain opinions
about students and parents it is best not to
post them online. When teachers were fired
for their Facebook comments in North
Carolina, Tom Hutton an attorney for the
National School Boards Association stated,
"this is a new frontier in education, where
technological and social norms are outpacing
law and policy." Teachers should not be their
student's nor parents Facebook friends, share
Twitter tweets nor should students be
mentioned in personal blogs that may
embarrass or demean.

The potential is just too dangerous professionally
and personally. School districts now have policies
on digital engagement to protect the district from
legal actions, but not he individual educator or
administrator.
All teachers, teacher assistants, administrators,
cafeteria workers, custodians and event school
volunteers must be smart, be professional, and
be compassionate of the feelings of others.
Teachers carry power, our words can educate,
inspire or they can damage/destroy hopes,
dreams and feelings. It is up to individual
teachers to choose how they
want to be remembered or forgotten.

Resources:
Six Ways to Avoid Those Social Media Landmines
by Gwyneth Jones
http://neatoday.org/2017/01/23/social-media-tips-for-teachers/