SmackDown: Should Teachers Be Allowed to Blog About Their Students?

by Amy Hatch and Jessica Samakow (Subscribe to Amy Hatch and Jessica Samakow's posts)
Feb 15th 2011 2:15PM

Filed under: Opinions

Act up in class, read about it in tomorrow's teacher blog. Illustration by Dori Hartley

Blogging About Your Students Is Not a Fireable Offense

by Amy Hatch

After venting about her students online, a teacher could be expelled from her job.

Natalie Munroe was escorted out of Central Bucks East High School last week after some students discovered what Munroe thought was a private blog.

The teacher says she never thought to protect her website with a password -- after all, her only readers were friends and family, and the majority of her posts dealt with her private life. But a brief series of personal essays on the state of education and her high school English students set the suburban Philadelphia school abuzz last week.

In her posts, Munroe frequently used profanity and suggested that some of her students dressed like street-walkers, over-estimated their intellectual prowess, and called them "rat-like" and "rude, lazy, disengaged whiners."

Now, Munroe is in danger of being fired for publishing her opinions online, PhillyBurbs.com reports, despite the fact that her lawyer, Steve Rovner, tells the news organization the Central Bucks school district does not have an "Internet policy."

Firing Munroe would be wrong, plain and simple.

Was what she did naive? Yes. The Internet is a public forum, after all. Was it indiscreet? Perhaps. But was it against the law? No.

What Munroe did, in fact, was her fundamental right as a United States citizen. She exercised her First Amendment right to express any opinion, no matter how unpopular, unpleasant or vile.

The Internet has opened a whole new frontier when it comes to the public expression of our opinions. Self-publishing has given rise to a whole new generation of voices, voices that otherwise may have never been heard. Voices that would have been otherwise disenfranchised. Voices that brought into the sunlight issues that were previously buried in the dark.

Take Heather Armstrong, another blogger who was fired for sharing her opinions about her employer on her uber-popular blog "Dooce."

Armstrong also used her blog as a forum to write about her private battle with depression, which landed her in the hospital for several days when her daughter was just an infant. Her willingness to open up about that experience helped raise the profile of clinical and post-partum depression, especially among the population that often experiences it -- mothers.

As a parent, I completely understand the instinct toward outrage. Would I be furious if a teacher insulted my child in a public online forum? You bet your bippy I would.

But as a journalist who makes her living from writing online, I shudder at the thought that Munroe might be terminated from her job for expressing her personal opinions on her personal blog.

And, let's be frank: Our educational system really is in crisis. Why is it so terrible that someone who sees it from the trenches should share her concerns and questions, profanity and acerbic commentary aside?

If Munroe is fired, a dangerous precedent will be set. The Internet is a powerful medium, one that certainly has its dark corners, but also one that has the potential to create conversations about subjects that affect us in the most fundamental ways.

Silencing those voices? Now, that would be worthy of expulsion.

A Lesson for Blogging Teachers: Actions Have Consequences

by Jessica Samakow

We see it again and again. An Internet scandal erupts and it's always the same defense: "I didn't think anyone would see it."

From teen sexters to Congressmen posting their pictures on Craigslist, the guilty parties all play the victim, acting surprised when their dirty laundry is aired across the Web.

Now, high school teacher Natalie Munroe could lose her job for negatively blogging about her students. Following the pattern of those under fire before her, she says "her blog was never meant to be widely read," USA Today reports.

OK, so maybe she didn't intend for her students to discover her blog, but that's simply not a viable defense. If something is posted on the Web, someone will find it.

High school teachers and counselors often remind teens how powerful the Internet is, noting that colleges now evaluate not only formal applications, but a student's online presence, as well. The general rule they tell teens: Don't post anything on the Internet you wouldn't want the world to see or read.

And, now that a Google search can be performed from your cell phone and Facebook is so easily accessible, this advice is both crucial and obvious. So, then, if teens are expected to take certain precautions on the Web, why shouldn't their teachers be held to the same standard?

This isn't a matter of free speech. True, we can say what we want in this country, but that doesn't mean we don't have to face consequences. A teen who rants on Facebook about how many shots of tequila she consumed last Saturday night deserves to get busted by her parents. An employee who tweets about his evil dictator of a boss will likely get reprimanded, if not fired.

And a teacher who blogs that her students "dress like streetwalkers" and have an "unrealistically high perception of (their) own ability level" should be penalized, as well.

Students tend to be intrigued with the lives of their teachers outside of school. Running into a teacher at the movie theater is like an out-of-body experience; shouldn't they be at home grading papers?!

Today's teachers probably felt the same way when they were in high school, but, instead of chance run-ins at the grocery store, students can just go to Google to learn more about their educators.

Munroe argues that her blog was not "stumbled upon" by students; it was "dug up." How it was discovered, however, is irrelevant. What matters is that it was found.

Look, I get that a frustrated teacher might turn to writing as an outlet to complain about her bratty high school students. But why not keep a journal? Or privately e-mail her closest friends? Posting it on a live blog, even with minimal subscribers, is just foolish.

In a recent post, Monroe defends her actions: "Contrary to what seems to be popular belief, I didn't -- and don't -- feel negatively toward all students. As I mentioned in another blog that nobody chooses to talk about, there were delightful students in school, too."

And while the so-called "delightful" students may appreciate her remarks, that doesn't make up for what was said about the not-so-delightful ones. I don't classify myself as being overly sensitive, but I would feel extremely uncomfortable being in a classroom and knowing my teacher pegged me as "rat-like" or "frightfully dim."

The students who were called these names deserve better.

View more videos at: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com.

ReaderComments (Page 5 of 12)

Add Your Comments

2-15-2011 @ 4:34PM

Sandy said...

She has a sacred trust with her students. We always suggest that our students go to a "teacher" if they are suffering from neglect or
abuse because the parent/student trust is strong. She should be fired and lose her license.............................

2-15-2011 @ 4:33PM

anita said...

look was she doing this on her off time or at work if at work ok she should have been fired but im sorry my boss has NO SAY in what i do in my off time , if you are at work you are on company time they have the right to tell you what to do and how and when and what you do on company time but my free time is MINE and as long as i am not doing any thing illegal my boss does not have any say in what i do in my off time

2-15-2011 @ 4:51PM

Lisa said...

You would expect someone that is supposed to have a higher degree of knowledge would exercise it as such. There is a time and place for venting and she took it too far. If this is the way she feels about most of her students whereas it is true or not; she is in the wrong profession. "Keep in mind that when she criticizes HIGH SCHOOL students for not being so bright; what does that say about their PREVIOUS teachers". Some parents do send their kids to school to be taught by salaried teachers. This is why our system is still in REFORM. I noticed this back in 1996. I understand though that some students can be a bit much; but that's why the school hires COUNSELORS and so forth. If the teacher is not happy teaching where their at they should look to teach elsewhere. Students should not be penalized for their cultural differences or dress code. What strikes me though is that she readily admitted that the students had been disadvantaged by her peers. What a shame for that school system? She let the cat out of the bag!

cheryal said...

The only reason I would care that the teacher blogged about my child would be that my child was so rude and obnoxious and no one told me. It would be a wake up call for me.

2-15-2011 @ 4:35PM

CofCStudent1012 said...

As both a current student and a child of a teacher, I'm neither offended or surprised that a teacher would want to vent about the less than average students' attire or behavior. At the risk of sounding older than I am, a lot of kids these days are horribly rude and obnoxious when at school. They are disrespectful towards each other and to teachers. Heaven forbid a teacher wants to vent online! If you spent one day as a teacher, I believe you would change your mind. If parents did their jobs, teachers would have an easier time at their's.

2-15-2011 @ 4:40PM

James W. England said...

If her students were writing and posting about her online, without using her name, would she find that acceptable?

This is not about free speech it is about the expected professional conduct in relationship to a professional job. Surely any professional would find the language used unprofessional.

As a teacher up until 2006, I would say the vast majority of teachers don't need written rules in front of them to know the level of professional conduct expected of them.

I felt my students were my charges, to help guide and develop, not ridicule, and yes they had their moments. But, they are children, even if they are in high school.

2-15-2011 @ 5:05PM

rvrndstvn said...

Sorry, but you are the problem not the solution. It sounds as if all you do is coddle the "poor little darlings". Be a man, stand up and show your students what it means to be a man. I do wonder if they show you any respect or just blow you off like most do these days.

2-15-2011 @ 5:37PM

am509g said...

Mr. England, I agree 100% with you. I am now a college student I had a teacher in high school who took interest in her students and set an incredible example. She had a very similar view on teaching, and no one treated her like a pushover. She, unlike Ms. Munroe, showed us respect, and thus, respect was given to her. From your description of what you think it means to be a teacher, it sounds like you were a great one. I am sorry you are being disrespected by someone who does not value educators and all the good that they can do.

2-15-2011 @ 9:54PM

sapphire53 said...

James W England - AMEN!

2-15-2011 @ 4:41PM

Jess said...

Just saying...as a high school senior it really is terrifying to me how stupid some students are. And how provocatively some dress. Even though it wasn't the smartest idea, I can't blame her in the least, especially if the posts were just after a few bad days. And like she said, people don't ever talk about the positive posts about students. I promise you that she would be saying the exact same things to other teachers even if she didn't blog this. I think she should be reprimanded, yes, but not fired, especially since the school doesn't have an internet policy. They don't have strong grounds for firing without any rules against it.

2-15-2011 @ 4:45PM

awed said...

remember what peyton place was about? thinly veiled community members? is this not the same only via the internet and not a book?

all this talk about not "respecting" kids is false. nor is she whining....she is just putting out front for all to see, which is truth, some students have issues so big, and issues that will never be resolved..... they will become our future thugs, knuckleheads and incarcerated or dead people. as a teacher, you see these children every day, stop with the excuses and indignation. what are we going to do about these children?

2-15-2011 @ 4:44PM

Rose Marie Ebeling said...

I see kids going to school everyday. And, yes, many of them DO dress like "streetwalkers". I don't understand how parents allow this. Also, some boys where their pants down around their hips and let their underwear show. Disgusting! Right on, Teach!!

2-15-2011 @ 8:18PM

Sheila G said...

Blogging about students AND using profanity in her blog? She should be gone.

2-15-2011 @ 4:53PM

CLINTON said...

HEY, RETARDS.....IT'S CALLED "1st AMENDMENT - THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH". I'M SICK OF HEARING ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING IN TROUBLE FOR EXCERCISING THIER RIGHTS AS AMERICANS, REGARDLESS IF SOMEBODY GOT 'EM'S LITTLE FEELINGS HURT. IT'S THAT TEACHER'S RIGHT TO SAY WHATEVER SHE WANTS. THE P.C. POLICE HAVE NO RIGHT TO LIMIT HER RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION, EVEN IF THE STUDENTS SHE WROTE ABOUT WERE, IN FACT, TOTAL DUMBASSES. AND YES, I'D FEEL THE SAME WAY IF IT WAS MY CHILD SHE WROTE ABOUT. SHE'S AN AMERICAN & ENTITLED TO HER OPINION & ENTITLED , BY LAW, TO SPEAK HER MIND. I MAY NOT LIKE WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY, BUT I'D DEFEND TO THE DEATH HER RIGHT TO SAY IT !!!! YA SEE, I'M WHAT IS KNOWN AS A REAL AMERICAN. I SERVED OUR COUNTRY TO PROTECT JUST SUCH RIGHTS & I DON'T TAKE KINDLY TO PEOPLE SPITTING ON MY SERVICE BY TRYING TO SUMMARILY REVOKE THEM WHEN THEY DON'T LIKE WHAT'S BEEN SAID, OR WHAT'S BEING SAID. I WOULD EXPECT THE SAME COURTESY & RECOGNITION OF MY RIGHTS, REGARDLESS OF HOW THE LIBERALS FEEL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom said...

Let's fire all teachers then we can be oppressed and ignorant like Iran!

2-15-2011 @ 4:55PM

Okay, here we have a classic example of overreacting. So what if this teacher said some of her students were "rat-like" and "dressed like street walkers"? They probably are and do. The ones we should be upset at are the "parents" who let their kids be this way. Not this teacher.

For too many years, we have let "the little darlings" pretty much get away with everything and not take responsibility for what they do. In our modern world, discipline and respect for others are strictly forbidden, or the poor things may lose self-esteem. Here's a clue, self-esteem is earned by accomplishment not by birth. If you don't do anything worthy, who cares if you have self-esteem?

To the girls who dress like street walkers, don't be surprised if you are treated like a street walker. If it looks like one, talks like one, it probably is one.

2-15-2011 @ 4:58PM

Jay Collum said...

I don't think she should be fired, but she should be given a warning, and if it happens again, then she should be fired. All teachers should then be put on notice that blogging about their students, good or bad, on a public forum is unacceptable. All comments, awards, and concerns, should be handled within the school system, and with their parents if further attention is needed. Teachers should set a standard for the kids they teach to look up to, not lower themselves to the students level.

2-15-2011 @ 5:04PM

Who cares? The parents can't control their kids, they don't even try. Teaching is a bitch, run them all out of town and see what you get then......Iran.

2-15-2011 @ 5:07PM

hank said...

Hope she gets to sue the school and collects a fortune so she doesn't have to put up with the crap kids that are sent to school. It is time we went back to dress codes that are followed and behavior that is respectful to all. From what I have seen of high school students going into school these days I would have to believe the teacher is probably right about some of these so called students.

2-15-2011 @ 5:50PM

kenster said...

Personally, I don't think she should be fired. The fact that all her students know it should be ample enough to cause her to resign her job. I feel for her because I was a teacher and had similar feelings at times towards certain students. Yet, with that kind of attitude, she wouldn't last either. It takes a type of person to continue being a teacher. You just have to sigh and teach children that they have a lot to learn before they leave school.

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