This is an important and timely topic, Read this! DO NOT DELETE!
The era of working in a fishbowl has increased with the invention of the computer. Did you know that internet use, and specifically social media, is one of the leading causes of teacher discipline and yes, firing from the teaching profession these days. George Orwell was a little late on the date of the Big Brother concept, but the concept is alive and well. It is spiraling into a destructive tornado for teachers all over the United States. North Branch, Minnesota is not immune to the storm. Take heed friends; what you view, post, comment, and like at home and at the workplace can be costly. Thanks to the invention of social media, these things can be seen by school officials and put your career in jeopardy, whether or not you are a highly talented, qualified and tenured teacher.
Education Minnesota has shared some guidelines to help keep you safer in your position.
Firstly, remember the three P’s:
Permanent: The Internet is permanent. Internet service providers and social networks will likely be able to retrieve information long after it has been deleted.
Perfect: The Internet has a perfect memory. Items posted can and will be retrieved so you can see exactly what was posted.
Public: The Internet is public. Do not ever assume the items you post, like, share, comment on, will ever be private- even with the use of privacy settings.
Secondly, there are some DO’s and DO NOT'S regarding the internet and social media:
DO use your common sense!
DO consider computer use including internet, email, and social media access at school a privilege, not a right. Use your computer at work for school-related work ONLY!
Do review and KNOW school district policy regarding technology BEFORE using social media to interact with students, parents and others. Social media may be discouraged or prohibited for classroom purposes. Use may make youpersonally responsible for EVERYTHING posted on a group or site that was created for your students and families (whether you posted it or not).
DO maintain a professional boundary between your personal information and your class materials. If you create a group or forum that relates only to your classroom, create a user profile that contains only school-related information. Maintain aclear division between your personal activities on social media sites and your professional presence as an educator (clearly separate personal and school use accounts).
DO monitor membership for all uses. Make sure that you can limit the participation of individuals in any e-mail list, forum, social media group, or other site that you may use for class-related electronic discussion. Ensure that any participant in such forums is only a member of your current class.
DO establish clear ground rules for participation. Just as you set expectations for classroom behavior with your students at the beginning of the year, it is IMPORTANT to set those expectations in an electronic forum as well. Make sure students are acutely aware of any restrictions on content, tone, or even the nature of their participation.
DO keep a close eye on your creation. If you do create a website, page, or group using a social network that permits students to provide input or comments, consider pre-screening those comments rather than letting students have unfettered discretion to post.
DO use privacy and security settings, but do not rely on them. Whether you are using social media for classroom use purposes or not, keep in mind that your personal information is as available as YOU allow it to be. These settings may change unnoticed by providers. Review your settings often and adjust them according to the boundaries you have professionally established.
DO strongly consider whether you would want your principal, superintendent, students, parents or clergy-person to see what you are posting or commenting on BEFORE you post it. If unsure, don’t post it.
DO monitor what others post (or comment) about you. Once tagged, you are searchable, and you didn’t even post it. You are likely responsible for such postings- yep, even from your personal groups and sites- (usually photos and comments). Immediately “untag” photos or comments you were tagged in that you wouldn't want others to see for ANY reason (especially for someone that works with kids of any age). Remember the three P’s here: It was posted so it has been saved on some Internet server somewhere, and can be searched and can be found by someone who is looking.
Simplified, here are the DO NOT’S:
DO NOT accept friend requests from potential, current, future or past students- OR their family members, even twice removed onto your personal social network pages!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! REMOVE THEM NOW!
DO NOT access inappropriate sites on your school computer at any time for any reason at any time before, during or after school- if you use school server it is accessible by the school district (do not rely on concept that your devices only use personal provider services, even though you have personal internet providers that you think are over-riding school servers- (phones, ipads, etc.) PROBABLY NOT-).
DO NOT accept friend requests from anyone who you do not know personally as a close friend - totally trust worthy- (they would never throw you under the bus for any possible reason, good times or bad). Not just school!
DO NOT post vulgar or obscene language, materials, photos or links that may be considered inappropriate by anyone or unprofessional by anyone. Not just school!
DO NOT POST ANY NEGATIVE INFORMATION (or could be conceived as) ABOUT STUDENTS, CO-WORKERS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, OR DISTRICT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not just school!
DO NOT join groups that may be considered unprofessional or inappropriate by anyone. Immediately leave any such group that you are a member of, - yep even personally.
DO NOT use social media unless you use extremely fine-tuned common sense in your activities at school or home.
See, our fishbowl profession of education has increased its scope. BE acutely aware. Do not give anyone an extra reason to look into or search your educational life, personal life or social and internet activities. You can be held personally responsible and your career may be in jeopardy.
If you suspect, are suspected, searched, accidentally have a questionable post or picture- CONTACT YOUR MEMBER RIGHTS LEADER IMMEDIATELY!! If you are questioned by an administrator regarding Internet or social media use, CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS RIGHTS LEADER IMMEDIATELY!! Don’t second guess it, do not lie to administrators- remember the internet has PERFECT MEMORY. Please contact members rights even if you may question whether something is an acceptable activity!
Protect yourself and don’t be afraid to ask! Especially in North Branch where a classroom lesson could be recorded or photographed by a student in our D3 environment and be misconstrued by others out of context. Ask for help!! Your union is here to help try to keep you as safe as possible!
Be proactive, and if in doubt, opt out of social media and internet interactions at school and home until you have had time to review how others, with views other than yours, may view it.
In solidarity,
Connie Sim
NBEA secretary