The Level of Appropriateness

After reading Associated Press, Karen Mathews' blog 'Should teachers 'friend' students?', I wonder how many teachers have become embroiled in a 'misunderstanding' regarding their on-line messages to their students. Male and female teachers walk a fine line when they interact with their students outside of the classroom. Mathew's states the downside of having students view a teacher's personal page such as Facebook. One of the examples she provided was a teacher's inappropriate pictures that students had access to. I can see how parents will be concerned when a teacher, regardless of their gender, interacts with their own child outside the classroom setting. No parent would want to have their child send a private message to their teacher without their knowledge. It is not appropriate and immoral. Teachers regardless of the circumstances, should know their limit. They are not allowed to post, message, or attach inappropriate messages to students. It is common sense. Yet, according to Mathews, in Missouri, a law was passed that barred teachers from using social media that gave them exclusive access to students eighteen years and under. That type of enforcement is extreme yet crucial in order to protect our children. It is enough to think about the boundaries teachers are crossing without the parent's knowledge.


As a parent, I hope I never have to experience a ‘misunderstanding’ between my children and their teacher. It is ridiculous to think that a person who is responsible for the safety of our children is sending sexy photos or responding to a student’s love life on-line. I believe teachers should have access to an on-line site in order to post class assignments or create a study group. Anything else, is inappropriate and the teacher deserves to be fired. Our children’s safety should be the number one priority in and off school grounds.