Teacher Behaviors After School
Do teachers have the right to free speech after school hours?
What would you think if you saw your child's teacher on MySpace saying and doing questionable things? It is not happening in school. Should this matter?
The Line
Just where is the line between professional and personal behavior when it comes to being a teacher? Helen Gao, writer for the Union-Tribune in San Diego, asks this question.
MySpace
A San Diego middle school teacher has drawn some unwanted attention because of his MySpace page. He stepped down as a chaperone for a trip to the East Coast and no one is available for comment.
YouTube
A Virginia teacher was fired in January because of "art work" posted on his site. According to the Associated Press, it had something to do with smearing paint on personal body parts and pressing against a canvas.
Teachers As Role Models
Are teachers role models for students? And, if they are, are they role models after school, as well? This is the issue. While teachers have moral expectations while in school and on school computers, should this apply to personal home computers and activities after hours?
Parochial schools often have moral clauses in contracts defining behavior in and out of school as a prerequisite for teaching at the school. Immoral behavior will not be tolerated. But, what about public schools?
Teacher Unions
What is the stand on this issue from unions? Camille Zombro, president of the San Diego Education Association, stated, "His private life should not be the subject of public scrutiny." Legal experts protect a teacher's right to the First Ammendment. If there is no direct connection to the school, the behavior should not be sanctioned. This kind of behavior puts the NEA in a difficult position. The union can not defend a teacher that is behaving "unprofessionally." The question is "What is unprofessional behavior?"
When the behavior of a teacher impacts education then that is a problem. If a teacher makes the comment on how hot his or her students are, this is making reference to the students. This connects the behavior to students. If this comment would be found on MySpace and a student would read it, it may affect the student's attitude about being in this teacher's classroom. It could make the student uncomfortable to the point of not being able to focus and learn.
District Policies
This is an issue that school districts have to address. What behaviors will be tolerated outside of school hours? Where is the line for teachers? While the San Diego teacher is still teaching under continuing controversy, the fired Virginia teacher has retained the American Civil Liberties Union to defend him. There is surely going to be more on this subject in the future.
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Copyright article 2007 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
