Don’t Be Stupid: S i l Media Social M di For F Teachers T h Karen Haase Harding & Shultz (402) 434 434-3000 3000 khaase@hslegalfirm.com H & S School Law @KarenHaase
Social Networking?
Fisher v. Snyder 476 F.2d F 2d 375 (8th Cir. Cir 1973)
• Probationaryy teacher had out of town houseguests overnight in her apartment • Board Findings of Fact: – Frances A. Fish[er] is a single woman – That on several occasions during g the current school year men, not related to Frances A. Fisher, stayed in her apartment in Tryon, Mc-Pherson County, Nebraska, on several occasions ranging from one night to a period of at least one week, this constitutes tit t conduct d t unbecoming b i a teacher t h
Fisher v. Snyder 476 F.2d F 2d 375 (8th Cir. Cir 1973)
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“While a school board may legitimately inquire into the character and integrity of its teachers, it must be certain that it does not arbitrarily or capriciously dismiss a teacher based on unsupported conclusions d drawn ffrom such h iinquiries” i i ” “[H]ere there is no proof of improper conduct” “Idle speculation p certainly y does not p provide a basis in fact for the board’s conclusory inference….”
Fisher v. Snyder 476 F.2d F 2d 375 (8th Cir. Cir 1973)
• “She did not attempt p to conceal the presence of her house guests…” • “No No evidence of a community reaction against Mrs. Fisher has bee presented… • “…nor “ nor has she been sho shown n incapable of maintaining discipline in her classes because of any inference of impropriety drawn by her students or their parents.”
Nebraska Statute < Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 79-824,, 79-827,, 79-829 < Reasons for Termination and/or Cancellation: - Unprofessional Conduct - Immorality - Other conduct which interferes substantially with the continued performance of duties
Teacher Use ď&#x192;&#x2DC; Causes for Concern - Drug/Alcohol Use - Sexual S l Inappropriateness I i t - Inappropriate pp p Communication with Students - Inappropriate Communication Comm nication about Students - Selling School Property
Responses: p Missouri required every school district develop a written policy concerning teacher-student co communications u c o s teachers prohibited from having a nonwork-related website that allows exclusive access with a current or former student. Temporarily T il enjoined j i d Repealed by state senate
Responses: p West Hartford Conn. Sch. Dist. Policy prohibited any communication that has “a negative negative, or compromising, compromising impact on a teacher’s ability to teach in the classroom?“ ?“ Union threatened suit – backed off when lawyer actually examined policy
Responses: p North Carolina and Wyoming ď&#x192;&#x2DC; Districts requiring applicants to disclose username and password for all social media sites ď&#x192;&#x2DC; Litigation i i i threatened, but not yet pursued
Ed. Benefits of Social Med. Univ. of Minn. Study: • 94 percentt used d the th IInternet, t t • 82 percent go online at home and • 77 percent had a profile on a social networkingg site. What do student learn • technology skills • creativity • current events • communication skills.
Classroom applications Communication with kids: • Scheduling, S h d li assignments, i t etc t • Homework collaboration and feedback Collaboration in classroom • Instant polls p • Substantive content Delivery of content • Supplement lectures • “flipping”
Our Warnings to Educators Keep Separate Personal and Professional P Pages/Feeds/etc. /F d / t Do not friend students (unless you have independent relationship with kid) Think twice,, post p once Update only when appropriate Disable • Tagging and Geo-tagging • Friends of friends accessing photos • Friend Facebook
Did U C Mr. Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FB Page? C id ti Considerations Regarding R di St Staff ff Technology Use Karen Haase Harding & Shultz (402) 434-3000 khaase@hslegalfirm.com H & S School Law