There can be different ways that educators can view the use of social media and how they use it in their personal or professional lives. One may argue that educators are so publicized that "yes" they should be held accountable for something like pinning a sarcastic e-cards because they knew that going into this particular profession. Educators are seen as public figures that children should be able to look up to as their teacher and role model. Therefore, teachers like the one from Harlandale ISD should be investigated professionally and personally because the e-cards can be interpreted negatively.
On the flip-side, one may argue that educators, just like any other person, has a professional and a personal life. If by chance the teacher from Harlandale ISD "pinned" those e-cards on her personal account on her personal time, would it be fair to say that she should be punished professionally? In my opinion, I would have to say to an extent. As educators we do really need to watch what is being posted on social media. Social media is something that allows others to have easy access to people's lives, such as the parent doing a "quick search" on that teacher. Educators are held to a higher standard than any other profession out there. So, when something like this can be found on that "quick search", others like to make a mountain out of a mole hill. If parents really knew what teachers go through on a daily basis, perhaps they would give us a break. But, since majority of people don't know what an educator does on a daily basis, we do need to take precautionary steps to help prevent something like this from happening. I do however believe that this parent took it WAY too far by going to the local news and advertising it to the community. There really should be stipulations for parents as well on what they can post publicly about educators.
After looking at an example of a conflict that is controversial, how is incorporating civil discourse beneficial to students within a classroom? Engaging in debates allows students to speak their mind on a particular topic and explain their reasoning for taking that side. It allows students to feel as though their opinion about that topic matters, and they feel as though they have a voice. Many times, I see my students taking one side of a debate just because their friends take that side. This can be concerning because we want all our students to be independent leaders and not so much a follower. Conducting a civil discourse also allows students to practice their listening skills. They need to be able to listen to what others have to say in order to either justify or change their opinion, which enhances their reasoning skills as well.
Four Corners:
Parents should be allowed to create a school social media page for their child's school, where they can interact with other parents from that same school.
Strongly Agree:
- Parents can gain information about school events, field trips, ways to help their child academically, etc.
- Parents should be allowed to share their thoughts and opinions about the district and staff.
- Parents can be informed of emergencies and be posted on how things are being handled.
Agree:
- Stay in-touch with their child's school
- A website like this can keep parents connected with one another.
- Ask other parents about homework
Disagree:
- Parents can have a social media like this, but it needs to be approved by the school.
- This social media page has to approve its followers.
Strongly Disagree:
- Parents should not be allowed to have a private social media page that is linked to their child's school.
- If a social media page was to be created, it needs to be monitored by the school's technology department on a daily basis.
- Parents are not permitted to discuss staff members of the school in a negative sense on this social media page.
Resources:
Ko, S. (2015, May 23). Harlandale ISD teacher investigated for social media posts. Retrieved from https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015/05/22/harlandale-posts-teacher-pinterest-columbia-heights-elementary/27825705/
Looking at whether parents should be able to create a social media account about their child's school, the answer is a complicated one as well. I have seen this attempted in the past and when it is not controlled or monitored by the school district in some way, the lack of online ethics becomes just as apparent with the parents as it can be with their children. Name calling, non-constructive criticism, untrue accusations and more pop up constantly, creating a negative environment rather than a constructive environment. As such, I believe that I fall in the Strongly Disagree corner. There are many applications out there,such as Drund and Remind, that allow parents to interact with their school in a safe space. If teachers are expected to be restricted after their work hours, then parents have to accept that discussions of their teachers should be restricted as well.
ReplyDeleteHi John,
DeleteThis is a difficult topic to address because there are so many positives that come with keeping connected with other parents about what's going on at their child's school, however there are also so many negatives. Your right in saying that if the school is not monitoring what our parents are posting, then that's when things go wrong. This is a topic that I have been struggling with because this is happening at my own school. Parents are able to say whatever they want about my elementary school's staff members, how things are done, making accusations, etc. This has upset many teachers in my school including myself. I just wish there was some way that the school could shut down the one that was created by a parent and start another one that is regulated by the school. Thanks for commenting, your input was very helpful.
Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI thought you brought up a great topic on the idea of parents starting their own social media page for their children’s school district. The initial intention is clear as a way for parents to communicate with each about important events, programs, and information regarding the school. The page is meant to assist parents in staying organized with their busy schedules; however, when the second something happens within the district, which just a single parent may disagree with, the negative comments, start to occur. Quickly statements are posted that cannot be erased that could are mean, embarrassing, or hurtful to a single individual or group of people. These statements can become detrimental to the subject they are focusing upon.
Based on the points you developed in your four corners strategy and my beliefs, I agree with John that if a social media page is created about the school district it should be done by the school. This will help to reduce the negative postings and comments that develop. My school district has a Facebook page and Twitter account and it is great way to show parents the wonderful things the students are doing within the classroom and additional activities the students are conducting. For example, my students are currently entered into a contest where community outreach is an important element and I have been posting on the school’s social media page about what the students are learning, whom they are meeting with, and what they are doing. The parents really enjoy seeing what their students are doing, which I think it a great way for parents to do this.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts,
Megan
Hi Megan,
DeleteThank you for commenting. Like I had mentioned in my comment to John, my school does not regulate what is being said on this Facebook account which was created by a previous parent. The reason that this is so upsetting is that many of us find out through a staff member, that is also a parent at our school, things that are being said about us. It really is never anything good either, which is extremely upsetting because teachers can't defend themselves and their reputations. I really do need to bring this to my districts attention because this is not fair to any of the school's staff members. I really appreciate you responding and giving me great feedback.
Shannon,
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to the statement you posed for your four corners, I think I would fall in the "Strongly Disagree" category. If that parent is not affiliated with the school or creating that page under the direction of the school, they should not be doing it. It would be like me (a middle school teacher), creating a page for my local Sheetz, and posting whatever I'd like to on it, making it seem as though I were affiliated with it in some way.
In terms of the initial topic, I do not feel as though that teacher should receive any consequence for pinning what they did to their board. Teachers are human too; what that teacher did does not violate any laws or any school privacy rules. If anything, that parent should be reprimanded for the near-slander like strides they took against the teacher.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Nicole
Hi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteGreat four corners statement! This one really made me think. I've been in a district where parents have made a social media page. Unfortunately it so negative about the district. Teachers were invited to join this "parent page" and from what I understand, it's just parents bashing the school district, bashing teachers, and bashing what goes on at school. Unfortunately parents think they know a lot (because they hear so much from their kids) but in reality, really don't know both sides of the story. I'm going to "strongly disagree" that parents do not create a page for their child's school. The school social media page should be run by an administrator who can post accurate information and not rumors. Thanks for making me think!
Hi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteThat situation has occurred to me at the beginning of each year. We are also reminded after someone makes a mistake! Back in college we were told little about social media because it was just starting!
It was pretty crazy to see that this story made the nightly news cast. For some towns this may be seen in a worse light than others. Educators need to take those precautionary steps you speak of. These things can almost get out of hand in some cases ruining one's career.
Those skills needed to listen to one another's side in an argument are needed in schools. Civil discourse could help save the future.
I would strongly agree with your four corners statement. Parents should have the right to create that page. It is a great way to stay in touch.
Thanks for sharing!
-Tony