Kontan.

There is a very narrow line that divides for teachers the allowable rantings that fall under freedom of speech.  Apparently one’s personal FB page is off limits. 

an eighth-grade teacher wrote on her Facebook page that it was a “hate crime” that students left a Bible on her desk and how she “was able to shame her kids” over the incident. Her Facebook page included comments from friends saying that the parents of Hussain’s students were “bigoted, stupid and uncaring.”

I’m not supporting blasting your students on FB, but it does irk me that teachers have to be so guarded with what they say.  I try to be careful here and not reveal where I teach, or anything that would give away personal information of students and other faculty.  Since I consider this my little sanity journal, that line is sometimes a little blurry.  Given that this teacher taught 8th grade she REALLY shouldn’t have said anything, but I have to wonder about the proper way to address the situation.  I don’t think shaming them is it.  Even if one uses this as a teachable moment, are they crossing a line?  Does a teacher have to put up with harassment from students?  I know of a teacher that has experienced similar situations in her high school classroom with students speaking to her, proselytizing, and emailing her.  Some went as far as condemning her for eternity.  That’s an invasion into the personal I think.  She handled it well, even though it was very upsetting for her to face this issue on a regular basis.

I find this article disturbing. My role as a teacher is understood, and I chose it. I struggle with the diminishing liberty that goes along with the job. Setting a good example is one thing, but not being able to express your thoughts outside the classroom is another.