Imposing bans is never ideal, because you would like to think that grown adults will always act with maturity, integrity and professionalism. But recent events have shown that Facebook and Twitter can be the undoing of a person if they are not careful. I’m sure teachers have used both forms of social media to make themselves more approachable to their students, and assist them with their studies when required.
However, in the current climate, I agree with the ruling handed down that teachers can’t communicate with their students in this way:
Pinellas County teachers can’t communication with students through Facebook, Twitter or other private media.
That’s the ruling from the Pinellas County School Board, whch unanimously passed a policy today that forbids it.
Pinellas County School Board members sought to address the possibility of impropriety as a result of that ease of access.
“I don’t know what information is being transmitted,” said school board attorney Jim Robinson of private communication with students.
While electronic media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter leave a “cyberprint” that have led to countless teacher investigations, it also puts faculty at a new and dangerous risk.
The policy states: “Such communication could cause the appearance of inappropriate association with students.”
Pinellas and Florida are not alone. In Missouri similar legislation is awaiting a signature from Gov. Jay Nixon. School and government officials recognize the need for such cautionary measures, but are also concerned that their legislation does not allow for exceptions.
After the recent tornados in Joplin, many students were located through social media websites when cell phone signals were down.
Pinellas Schools board members made certain to take exceptions into account. The policy also states “staff shall utilize School Board resources in all electronic communications with students regarding school matters. Provided, however, private electronic media, such as a cell phone, may be used when District resources are not available, when such use is in the best interest of all concerned”.
On Facebook Pinellas Park High School has a Fan Page, while the presence of Northeast High and St. Petersburg High School are limited to community pages of standard information.
I’m not doubting for a second that teachers can’t use social media for the good of their students. But I am also aware that on any given day you can Google News the term “teacher”, and instead of stories about inspiring teachers with brilliant methods, you get one horrific story of abuse after another.
Essentially, it is in our teacher’s best interests to avoid communicating with students on Facebook and Twitter. It’s just the reality of the world we live in.
Tags: Education, facebook, Gov. Jay Nixon, Jim Robinson, Northeast High, Parenting, Pinellas County, Pinellas Park High School, social media, St. Petersburg High School, Teachers, Twitter
Topical Teaching 
June 17, 2011 at 12:17 am |
Why are ALL teachers being punished? I know teachers that hold test study sessions on Twitter the night before a test. I know teachers that have students coming to them about bullying on Facebook because they know they are friends on there? I do NOT agree with this ruling. This is making all the bad things that students are doing on Facebook and Twitter to continue. Teachers need to be there to help students grow and teach them the correct way to use the social websites. Teachers that are caught doing things and communicating in ways that are inappropriate should be forced to resign just as Anthony Weiner was forced and finally will today. Putting all teachers in the same category and banning them from the good will only make things worse.
June 17, 2011 at 12:31 am |
Interesting points. Is there a way for teachers to convene test study sessions without the use of social media? At least withTwitter, everything is in the public sphere. Facebook is a different story. Ultimately, the majority of teachers will always have to be punished by the actions of the corrupted minority. As a male teacher I feel I have to be even more careful than my female colleagues. Do you feel the same way Anthony?
Thanks for the comment Anthony. I really appreciate your take on this.
June 17, 2011 at 12:44 am
Yes, I feel that as a male teacher I do need to be a little more careful. However, I use Facebook and Twitter professionally. I do have friends on there, but I tell them that I use it for teaching. If they post anything inappropriate, I contact them and tell them that I deleted it and remind them that I use it for teaching. If they continue to do that, I then remove them as a friend.
I just worry that by the ban, students will know teachers are not there and trouble will happen.
June 17, 2011 at 12:42 am |
[…] recently read a blog post praising Pinellas school board, in Florida, for banning teachers from communicating with students […]