Headlines were made when a Philadelphia teacher was recently suspended from work for her comments about her students on her personal blog. But there are some things that parents and administrators should have considered before reacting the way they did.
The teacher in question is 30-year-old Natalie Munroe, who had no idea at the time that, when she wrote about the frustrations and real-life challenges of being a teacher at the Central Bucks East High School, administrators would react the way they did. Those comments made about her students and others at the school gained the attention of concerned parents and soon began to make national headlines. But the attention and reprimand may have been a touch over the top if you look a bit closer.
First off, the posts in which the most disturbing comments were made were written more than a year ago. It's also worth noting that the comments were probably written in moments of duress, where the frustrated teacher was merely attempting to let off some steam. Had the remarks been inflammatory or threatening to anyone specific on her site, then I would say, by all means, suspend the teacher.
But it wasn't. it was simply a teacher expressing her views on a frustrating day.
Secondly, the teacher never mentioned any names on her site. She may have even gone as far as to describe in colorful terms what she would like to say to certain parents she disagreed with, but never did. Again, no grounds for a suspension -- a severe reprimand perhaps, but not a suspension.
Munroe started the blog as a private way to keep in touch with close personal friends online. The fact that someone else found it and didn't approve of it is a non-issue that the school should have realized.
So, despite any parent's reaction to Ms. Munroe's personal thoughts, they were her own thoughts to share. Teachers like Ms. Munroe have the right to express themselves. Like the rest of us, they have a right to freedom of speech, and Ms. Munroe simply exercised hers.
Did Munroe's school overreact? Should teacher's personal feelings be censored online? Share your thoughts.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The teacher in question is 30-year-old Natalie Munroe, who had no idea at the time that, when she wrote about the frustrations and real-life challenges of being a teacher at the Central Bucks East High School, administrators would react the way they did. Those comments made about her students and others at the school gained the attention of concerned parents and soon began to make national headlines. But the attention and reprimand may have been a touch over the top if you look a bit closer.
First off, the posts in which the most disturbing comments were made were written more than a year ago. It's also worth noting that the comments were probably written in moments of duress, where the frustrated teacher was merely attempting to let off some steam. Had the remarks been inflammatory or threatening to anyone specific on her site, then I would say, by all means, suspend the teacher.
But it wasn't. it was simply a teacher expressing her views on a frustrating day.
Secondly, the teacher never mentioned any names on her site. She may have even gone as far as to describe in colorful terms what she would like to say to certain parents she disagreed with, but never did. Again, no grounds for a suspension -- a severe reprimand perhaps, but not a suspension.
Munroe started the blog as a private way to keep in touch with close personal friends online. The fact that someone else found it and didn't approve of it is a non-issue that the school should have realized.
So, despite any parent's reaction to Ms. Munroe's personal thoughts, they were her own thoughts to share. Teachers like Ms. Munroe have the right to express themselves. Like the rest of us, they have a right to freedom of speech, and Ms. Munroe simply exercised hers.
Did Munroe's school overreact? Should teacher's personal feelings be censored online? Share your thoughts.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
