Any Thoughts About Facebook and Teachers?

With the recent news about teachers being fired for inappropriate actions on Facebook, I wanted to see what you thought. I have attached one of the articles below.  Another teacher was fired recently for posting negative comments about her school.

Of course most teachers have the integrity and common sense not even to establish any contact with their students on Facebook or any other social media outlet for that matter, and this is not about the majority of teachers.  There are always going to be a few bad apples in the bunch, in every profession.

However, as Dr. Phil would say, "What were you thinking?"  What happened people?!   I am a Registered Nurse by profession, I do not "friend" my patients!! That would be unheard of, at least in my mind!  

So as you can imagine I can not understand why in this case they felt that they could do such a thing.  Do I think they should be fired, well yes.  Do I feel a teacher can use Facebook, yes.  I think anyone can use Facebook for personal use, but do not "friend" your students, simple.

I live on the west coast and my sister is on the east coast.   I have asked her to create a page so that we can share our updates all in one place.  She is a teacher, she has said several times that she does not want her students knowing anything about her private life.  Even with Facebook's "privacy" settings, she doesn't feel comfortable having one.  So we resort to email and phone communication!

When it comes to communicating with your students online, the only place I feel is appropriate is on the school website.  At least here in our school district both parents and students can communicate with their teachers on that site.

Of course these cases are extreme, and Facebook would not have been an issue if the teachers would have just not added their students as "friends"!

I would love to hear your thoughts!

• Do you think the teachers should have been fired?
• Should teachers have a Facebook page? 
• What actions should teachers or the school take when using social media?
• If you are a teacher, do you feel you should "friend" your students?  Why?

Celebrate World Teachers' Day- October 5, 2010

Whether you Homeschool your children or you send them to school, we can all celebrate the teachers of our lives.   I grew up in Sloatsburg, NY back in the 60's and early 70's.  I will always remember two of my teachers, Mrs. Judson from the first grade and Mrs. Seaman from the sixth grade. 

I have vivid memories of both classrooms.  It feels just like yesterday that I was sitting at those desks with my head full of dreams and excitement.  I wanted to become an artist and I loved to draw and write.

Both teachers were amazing women.  I remember at such a young age what Mrs. Judson would do.  We had a little girl who would sometimes have accidents and because she was so poor would come to school a little disheveled.  It broke my heart, but Mrs. Judson had it all under control.  She had extra clothing just for her in a back closet.  She would clean her up and put fresh clothes on her. It was amazing to see the transformation, she would walk into the classroom, sad, with her head down and once Mrs. Judson was finished, her whole personality and stature changed!

Mrs. Seaman was strict but an awesome teacher.  I learned so much from her.  I remember the day that one of my classmate's mom passed away.  He was heartbroken, but Mrs. Seaman was there for him during that time of loss.  She pushed us beyond our comfort zones.  I was pretty shy and for some reason I was chosen to be one of the Valedictorians at our 6th grade graduation!  Although normally that would have made me physically ill, she gave me the confidence I needed to pull that off!

I will always remember my teachers, but especially Mrs. Judson and Mrs. Seaman.  I wish I had visited them at least once after I left the school.  I should have thanked them and let them know how much they touched my life. 

Do you have a special teacher that you remember?  What did he or she do that helped you?  I would love to hear your stories. 

Here is a nice video that I would like to share from Simple Truths, to honor all the teachers in our lives!