Hello and welcome to my blog. This weeks topic of discussion is on how educators can get fired over using technology. As we know many schools are implementing new ways to use technology. This includes using apps and certain websites for assignments. While this is a great way to get students engaged, it’s also has it consequences.
In an article I read, https://nypost.com/2019/02/11/gym-teacher-fired-for-playing-fortnite-with-his-students/ Brett Belsky was a middle school gym teacher, who got fired for playing the video game “Fortnite” with his students. Belsky had overheard his students talking about the video game and decided to put his own gamer tag on the blackboard. He told his students if they got their work done in class he would consider playing against them . He also told them that they had to get their parents consent to play. One of his students’ father felt this was odd and reported it to the schools’ principal. Belsky was fired for engaging in inappropriate internet use with his students . He felt it was a good way to get the students to get their work done by getting on their level to play the video game with them. The Department of Education, however, said “School employees shouldn’t interact with students online except for school-related reasons.” Beskys said his lawyers told him “It’s perception. It’s the impression. Without details or context, people can get the wrong impression.”
Teachers and supervisors also need to be aware of the use of social media. For example, the next article I read was about a supervisor and her post on her facebook page. Talvitie-Siple was forced to resign after many parents read Facebook comments on her page. She was describing students as “germ bags” and parents as “snobby” and “arrogant.” Talvitie-Siple was a supervisor of the high school math and science program in Massachusetts. A parent complained to the school and the superintendent asked her to resign. Talvitie-Siple said she thought her facebook settings were set for only her friends to see her posts and not the public. Talvitie-Siple said she takes full responsibility for her stupidity. She said she hopes it serves as an example to kids that they need to be very vigilant about their privacy. Check out the rest of article here https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/facebook-firing-teacher-loses-job-commenting-students-parents/story?id=11437248.
The last article I will be discussing is about a teacher who used his school email for personal use. Matthew Maleski was an occupational therapist for special education. He was using a shared gmail account with another teacher and was sending innapriporiate photos to other people. The other teacher that had the shared gmail account found the innapropriate emails. She didn’t like the fact that her name was now associated with the emails. He was fired for “committing employee misconduct for sending inappropriate email communications from an email address that represents a [Department of Education] site.” Check out the article here https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2290582/Male-model-teacher-fired-sending-sexual-hook-emails-school-account.html
What are my thoughts on this topic?
It is important for teachers to understand the policies regarding student interaction inside and outside of school . It is also important for them to know the policies on the use of social media and personal use. If a teacher decides to have a social media page it is important they have their page on a private setting. Never add a student to be your friend on any of your pages. You should also be careful of what you say and how you say it.
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