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by SallyMac from FOX 26

Last Post 6 days Ago


Teachers Private Lives Turned Public
May 20, 2008 | 8:33 PM
Category: News
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Tuesday on Fox 26 News at Nine....

With the increased use of social networking sites comes the added scrutiny into what's appropriate for teachers to display online.  

During the last couple of weeks, we've looked at the personal web pages of hundreds of local school teachers.  The majority of pages are professional, but there are dozens that contain candid conversations, embarassing photos and foul language. Some of the more unprofessional ones that we found include a picture of a male HISD high school teacher holding a sex toy, a female middle school teacher with a photo album entitled "Taks Sucks, Drinking Does Not," and a male teacher at the mostly Hispanic South Houston High who describes his job as teaching geography to "kids who call me 'Meester' and couldn't read a 'See Spot Run' book."

All of the profiles we accessed were public with no restricted access to pictures.  Anyone could sign up for a facebook account, join the Houston network and view the profiles. 

Would the sites matter if no students see them? 

Should area school districts have policies related specifically to social networking sites?  In other parts of the country, teachers have been suspended or fired for posting questionable material online.  Would you complain if you saw something inappropriate on the web page belonging to one of your child's teachers?

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Member Comments Total Comments: 147
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chassan read my blog view my photos
May 20, 2008 | 9:04 PM

No, not unless what the employee does is a violation of law.
PRECIOUSME33 read my blog view my photos
May 20, 2008 | 9:50 PM

I feel that as long as this isn't done on a computer at the school...the school district shouldn't have a say so over this. That's what's wrong with the world today...people are trying to control what goes on in everyone else's household instead of controlling their own. The parents need to be concerned with what their children are doing instead.
myfoxfriend read my blog
May 20, 2008 | 9:54 PM

I have been searching the social networking sites everyday for candid pictures of you! Where are they?
sxcandy read my blog
May 20, 2008 | 9:55 PM

what do thy expect teachers to do just put there lives on hold because they teach our children. I am a mother of three kids all school age and yes I know my oldest daughter who is in high school can get online and she sees alot worst that some teachers haveing fun with there friends for pete sake some of the teachers are just barely older then my 16 year old. Give the teachers a break ok.
dianatx023
May 20, 2008 | 9:57 PM

Come on People focus on stories when Women Teachers are sleeping with the students and all they get is a slap in tha hand and some probation.These teachers are not involve with the students they do have a personal life they signed up to teach not to be priest and minister so I think if there personal life is not display in the school its self then its not anybodys buisness what they do when they are off the clock.Just imagine if we all got fired for having a personal life "thats why its called a personal life"
sxcandy read my blog
May 20, 2008 | 10:00 PM

I have give teachers a big hand after putting up some of there kids. I could never do it NO WAY!!! So if a teacher is blowing off a little steam and haveing fun and not showing any nudity I say have at it you all deserve it.
Brian-sama
May 20, 2008 | 10:01 PM

I recall hearing a similar story at least a year ago. That particular story concerned a girl who was kicked out of her teaching certification program for having pictures on her Myspace page that showed her with alcohol. The girl was 21.

This sort of thing is nonsense. I have just received my certification, and while I do agree that it is our job as teachers to serve as role models for students of all ages, teachers also need to have personal lives. Still, since there will always be people who object to perfectly legal content, I strongly advise all teachers or education students to secure their own pages.

What really irritates me about this whole thing is that it isn't about students or parents complaining; rather, school districts do a little bit of private investigation and fire teachers with no proper reason.
leaTECH
May 20, 2008 | 10:02 PM

i am SO disgusted right now, how DARE you expose people in such a manner - and not to mention publicly outing a teacher...who cares if you use only their first name, you showed a full photo THREE times of them!! teachers have lives outside of their professions, as do most human beings - you are and WILL ruin a number of lives because of this report, i promise...i ask you this SallyMac - should you rethink your position here at Fox News and perhaps apply to the National Enquirer? they enjoy reporting on complete nonesense and garbage.
ping33tx
May 20, 2008 | 10:03 PM

God what a shame,here we are worring about what people are doing in their private life,i think we need to see what news reporters are doing in there private life so we can judge them now.Give me a break,you news people need to report on how to make our lives better not worrying about what people are doing in their own home.
ping33tx
May 20, 2008 | 10:06 PM

Hey leaTECH my wife said exactly what you said how funny,right on keep up the good WORD!!1
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SallyMac

My dream has come true! I'm so thankful to report in the city that means the most to me. I'm the one in the newsroom who's excited to cover any story, from the most powerful hurricane to the most mundane city council meeting. While I certainly don't find comfort in reporting on another's troubles, the people I meet each day inspire me in some way, and I hope they affect you, too!

Member Since: 1/16/2007


 

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