School teachers across the country have been sanctioned or fired for online indiscretions felt to violate expectations for how they represent their personal lives. Often when you are seeking employment as a substitute, district personnel will access your public information not only to size up your credentials, but also your character as a professional. Teachers and other public professionals are held to a certain higher standard.
If social media is a mirror, think about what kind of reflection you are making for potential employers. As a semi-public figure, you should always be aware that as you tread through the internet and social networking sites, you leave behind a “footprint.” This footprint is visible to others and may have unintended negative consequences, such as diminishing your chances to obtain a desired training position or job.
Many people experience a sense of anonymity in their online actions (e.g., profanity, other inappropriate online postings). However, it is important to note that this illusion of anonymity is no excuse for unprofessional behavior. Such incidents, including breaches of confidentiality, offensive postings, profanity, and photographs of behavior that can be judged as inappropriate for members of the teaching profession should be avoided.
In addition to being aware of your online persona, it would also be wise to not interact with students online. Major concerns arise when students begin to see teachers as peers; there should be a clear boundary. Remember that you are a mentor, not a friend. When you are in a professional position, especially one where you’re interacting with children and parents, you need to be above reproach.
For the protection of your professional reputation, the following practices are recommended:
Friends and “friending”
- Do not accept students as friends on personal social networking sites. Decline any student-initiated friend requests.
- Do not initiate friendships with students
- Remember that people classified as “friends” have the ability to download and share your information with others.
Content
- Do not use commentary deemed to be defamatory, obscene, or slanderous. Exercise caution with regards to exaggeration, colorful language, obscenity, copyrighted materials, and derogatory remarks or characterizations.
- Weigh whether a particular posting puts your effectiveness as a substitute teacher at risk.
- Post only what you want the world to see. Imagine the students, their parents, your administrators, visiting your site.
- Do not discuss students or coworkers or publicly criticize school policies or personnel.
- Do not post images that include students.
Please stay informed and cautious of your online use, especially in social networking technologies.