Welcome New Teachers! (I hope I never see you again‌) Karen Haase Harding & Shultz (402) 434-3000 khaase@hslegalfirm.com H & S School Law @KarenHaase
Technology Issues
Stacey the Drunken Pirate
Snyder v. Millersville Univ. ( D. Ct. Penn. 2008)
Student teacher urged students to visit her MySpace Page • comments criticizing her supervisor • photograph of her wearing a pirate hat and drinking from a plastic cup with the caption “drunken pirate” School refused to let her complete student teaching; couldn’t graduate without student-teaching practicum
Snyder v. Millersville Univ. ( D. Ct. Penn. 2008)
First tried to sue school, case dismissed Then sued university claiming violation of First Amendment Court: No protection under First Amendment because postings dealt only with purely personal matters, not issues of public concern
Teacher Use Causes for Concern Drug/Alcohol Use Sexual Inappropriateness Inappropriate Communication with or about Students Inappropriate Communication about Politics
Karen’s Warnings Keep Separate Personal and Professional Pages/Feeds/etc. Do not friend students (unless you have independent relationship with kid) Think twice, post once Update only when appropriate Disable • Tagging and Geo-tagging • Friends of friends accessing photos • Friend Facebook
Welcome New Teachers! (I hope I never see you again‌) Karen Haase Harding & Shultz (402) 434-3000 khaase@hslegalfirm.com H & S School Law @KarenHaase