Thoughts Without Words: Teacher suing student...

It's about time. That's all I can say.

Seems as though a senior that didn't get the grade she wanted started talking about the teacher, he had enough and threatened to sue her for slander and to stop. Of course someone told her to keep fighting and go further to the school board, a former principal (just another reason why teachers don't trust administrators).

She is complaining because she said he graded the class on group projects which she says is unfair. To me this is an open and shut case. According to Ed Code 49066;

49066. (a) When grades are given for any course of instruction taught in a school district, the grade given to each pupil shall be the grade determined by the teacher of the course and the determination of the pupil's grade by the teacher, in the absence of clerical or mechanical mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetency, shall be final.

Read the bold...yeah sums that up. So much for her complaint. He has to justify the grade, from what I have heard about things like this, but other than that he is good to go.

Back to the more important issue at hand, the potential lawsuit. Every time a student rips a teacher on Facebook, Myspace, or anywhere it's a 1st amendment freedom of speech thing. Yet, when a teacher says something about their students outside of school they are suspended or worse yet, they are fired.

I am sure nothing will happen here. The girl can complain all she want, but the chances of her getting her grade changed are slim to none. The teacher's potential lawsuit won't go anywhere because they will hide behind the 1st amendment. I love education...don't you?

Thoughts Without Words: Another teacher fired over Facebook comments

It seems that every time I turn around another teacher is fired for blogging or doing something in their own life that is private that someone finds out and becomes public.

Seems that a NY teacher posted something on her facebook that wasn't flattering at all. Shocking, yes, but it was a private posting. Meaning it wasn't public. One of her "friends" took it to the principal, nice friend huh?

Anyway, I won't say what she said, but more of comment on a teacher's right of free speech. Especially in this case, where it wasn't public, but private. Students rip teachers all the time on Ratemyteachers.com. And that is protected by the 1st amendment. Heck a student sued because she said her first amendment rights were violated when she was suspend.

What rights do teachers have? Can we not say anything anymore? I was told students have a first amendment right because it doesn't effect the learning environment, but if a teacher says something it does affect the environment. I call bull on this reasoning. When there is a facebook page calling teachers fat, lazy, pedophiles, or drunk then that's a problem and does disrupt the learning environment. Parents & administrators look at ratemyteacher and take it as actual fact. Yet, we can't be removed from their site.

Once again...where are the teacher's rights?

Thoughts Without Words: Suspended Teacher over Blogging talks

I know I gave up blogging about my class because of this woman, but I felt I should give my opinion on it, especially since she was on GMA this morning.

If she never identified any students, why are people so upset? I don't get it. Are parents upset because their kids are perfect? Look did she use a good choice of words? No, but what she said does describe a certain percentage of students at any school. I have seen girls show up with one thing, go to the bathroom change and come out looking...well more mature. Students complain all the time. They don't want to be held accountable. And you know what it does come off as whining. Sometimes when my students are asking me to re-take a test or not do work, I swear it's like I am talking to my 4 year old. They just won't take no for an answer.

The one thing that caught my attention from the above interview is when Robin Roberts said "we all know teaching teens can be a challenge, but..." I don't think most of America knows...truly knows what goes on in classrooms and in school period. I mean if a school can take a teen to get an abortion without telling a parent, what else can they hide?

I am not accusing anyone of anything here. I am simply saying, how she said certain things should have been thought of twice. But she never identified any students. This might be going out on a limb, but I am sure at one time or another a teacher has thought some of those things she said. If it makes parents become more involved in their child's education, then we all win.

Thoughts Without Words: Teachers blogging

I am at a cross roads here when it comes to blogging about work. I never mention a student's name or sex for that matter, so it is nearly impossible to determine who I am talking about. I don't bad mouth students or anything like that or curse at them online.

However, every time I turn around it seems like another teacher is being suspended or fired for blogging about what goes on in the classroom.

I'll be honest with all of you, blogging about my job isn't worth losing my house or not being able to provide for my family.

I thought about blogging in the summer about the previous year, but I don't think that would work either. Generalities? Maybe, but still doubtful.

I will still blog about music, TV, comics, politics, and even educational topics, but what goes on in my class, my school...gotta say I'm not so sure anymore. There is just too much grey area.