A first grade teacher in Paterson, N.J. was suspended with pay for a status she put up on Facebook. She said she felt like a warden overseeing future criminals. Parents were outraged and some had their children removed from the class. As of now, the district will not comment on the issue, saying it is a personal matter but that the teacher is out on paid administrative leave. The lawyer for the teacher said, "“My feeling is that if you’re concerned about children, you’re concerned about what goes on in the classroom, not about policing your employee’s private comments to others." The article then quotes an NYU history professor who says that the episode is like a doctor talking about a patient's case on a crowded train and states that, "It seems to me with professional responsibility comes a duty to exercise discretion."
First off, I think we can all agree that she was wrong in what she said. However, do you think teachers have a certain right to freedom of speech outside the classroom? If she doesn't mention specific names, is it ok? Can the district discipline her based on her comments without violating freedom of expression/freedom of speech?
I think everyone should have freedom of speech, whether they are a teacher or student or office personel. However they need to be very careful what they put on the web. They can voice their feeling to others but I feel that once it is written and placed out on the web so that everyone can see they that's where the problem occurs because it gets into a whole other world involving lawyers.
ReplyDeleteOnce something is written it cannot be taken back and the consequences might be severe. Because the references where directed at the students from the school the district can definitely discipline her.
If it did not specifically reference the school then they might have a harder time disciplining her.
People have to watch what they say. Things get taken out of context all the time and it is very hard to read sarcasm within text. I agree that everyone should have freedom of speech but they need to be prepared for the reproductions that may follow. Living in such a politically correct world it is important to speak you mind but watch your audience.
ReplyDeleteI understand why this is bad, but the problem with facebook is you cannot tell if she was joking or being serious. I think that if you don't have a sense of humor you won't survive teaching. I often say things about my students without saying who or what school. I guess I should be more careful about what I say.
ReplyDeleteI am still a Facebook newb but if you keep your page private how can parents see what you post as your status? I know we had an issue at my school where a teacher was complaining about having to come to school on a snowy day, and it got back to the administration. Apparently she had friended girls who had graduated but some of them were friends with people who were still at the school. Can my friends who work for corporations get fired for posting a metaphor about their job responsibilities, or is it just teachers who are scrutinized?
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