(ThyBlackMan.com) Don’t allow frustration in the classroom prompt you to post inappropriate content online in 2012.
As teachers begin to make the transition from holiday relaxation spent with family and friends and back to the business of educational professional at their respective schools, they should remember to reposition and refocus their minds to that of professional educators.
This transition for many that are experienced educators is second nature, but for new teachers it takes adjusting back to the rigors of responsibility and accountability being teachers of young minds. Teaching is not something that a person can just jump into, it takes proper educational training, professional development refinement, seasoning and dedication.
There are adjustments, modifications and changes to make sure the educational climate is conducive to learning. Distractions in the learning environment are held at a minimum as much as possible and outside personal matters are kept away from the classroom. 
That being said, teachers should be mindful of their online content thatconsists of text, photos and video. Online content can present a distractionthat maybe unseen and cause unforeseen professional ramifications, even forteachers who work for schools with online degrees or classes. Students can still find online information aboutyou. The continued debate as educators is privacy as individuals, but in thefield of education in many ways we lose our privacy when working in thepublic spotlight in a profession that has great exposure.
Working with children automatically puts us in the spotlight and with the advancement of interactivity in Social Media, growth in Social Networks, and integration of Web 3.0 protocols(tools) online content is scrutinized even more whether teachers like it or not.
In any social media situation educators should be careful of what is said about students and their families. Educators cannot afford to be their student’s friends in the classroom and on social media because of the potential of misunderstood content that is posted or that may be posted by other adults/friends/family members. Posted on the web site The Drum it is stated about teachers and students that, ”teachers (should) keep their private and professional lives separate.” Increased access to social media has created a hyper-sensitivity to information and the message it presents about educational staff, teachers, administrators and included custodial staff and cafeteria staff. Online information has ramification for years. As I have discussed in past presentations with teachers the way you present yourself online in social media today may be scrutinized in 5 to10 years.
A teacher’s level of perception should include how to conduct oneself online is a component of media literacy – the ability to think critically about messages received through television, newspapers, books or online. Educators use multiple media types to teach with and communicate with, but our involvement for the most part is the educational access.
Students have a more social behavior, this may create conflicts in the intent and purpose of communication and sharing information.
Discussing school activities, procedures, rituals and routines are common place in dialogue that teachers share, but when discussions are directed to student behaviors it becomes a issue of student privacy. All teachers should remember that anything posted online will never go away, it will always be located some place, even if the use of Smart Phones is used to transmit or post information. Simplistically do not share or post any information about any student in a social media environment even if you think your security or personal settings will protect you. THEY WILL NOT!!!
This would seem to be a No Brainer, but with confidentiality laws on information sharing, beyond the obvious facts that some information could be embarrassing to the student and family there are other relevant facts about students. Student’s personal lives are affected dramatically by their parents or guardians ability to provide for them, homeless is increasing, medical issues are present, custody issues are involved during divorce or adoptions, and from several previous experiences there are families that are in protective custody. Professional educators are not always privy to this information so caution, common sense, good judgment along with professionalism is always suggested. Make sure that information posted is not out of frustration, aggravation and argumentation.
Transitioning back to school will bring some frustration, anxiety and apprehension. Social media is not the place to vent to online. You never know who could be reading your entries, looking at your photos and videos, importantly who could be telling others what you said. In the digital age information is never discarded, it is archived, stored and housed some place. That is why those in professional positions as education, medicine, law enforcement, etc must be mindful of what and where we vent or exchange information. It could be used against you in the future and has happened in recent court cases against educators.
On the student side of free speech; Freedom of speech cases have been in favor of students; In a groundbreaking free speech case in the age of social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, the ACLU of Florida received a favorable decision in a lawsuit filed in 2008 on behalf of a high school student against her former principal and teacher at a High School. In the ruling, a United States Magistrate Judge denied the Principal’s motion to dismiss the student’s complaint, allowing the lawsuit against the teacher, principal and school board to move forward.
The student’s lawsuit allowed her to post unfavorable words against the teacher on social media sites because they were viewed as, “off-campus, non-violent expression of her opinion about a teacher, posted on the Internet, is protected speech.”
Teachers do not have free speech support in some cases because our work involves minor children and their families. Even if a court case is won concerning freedom of speech and online postings, this sometimes destroys or damages the teacher’s reputation as a professional educators because their past is brought forward into the public eye. This is not something any teacher, administrator, staff member would want told to the world. The type of information they access on their personal time that may influence or inhibit their professional duties. Posted on Teachers and the Dangers of Social Networking (2011) a reminder that, “teaching is a public profession and it’s a public image issue.” An educators private information through social media is made public.
As we teach our students, education will empower us to make intelligent decisions that affects our lives. Please use this information to empower and protect yourself as teachers.
More information to support teachers and social media can be found at:
Blogging Content for Teachers
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400553/william-jackson/2011-08-30/blogging-content-teachers
Caution for Teachers that Blog and Facebook
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400553/william-jackson/2011-04-25/caution-teachers-who-blog
Teachers and Blogging
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400553/william-jackson/2011-04-19/teachers-and-blogging
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.
Also check out; http://www.About.Me/WilliamDJackson
