What would you do?

[Wishing on a star]

I too just posted before I saw your post about the threats.

Do you have any documentation of these veiled threats?
That would be important too!!!

If all of this is true, then I would definately notify somebody!

 

[bicker]

It would not concern you to entrust this person to care for your child!!!

What makes you think this person is "entrusted to care for children"? The OP never said that. The OP said it was "someone employed by a public school system". And that's really the point: People read into things things that aren't necessarily there. Pointing fingers is very easy, but people should recognize the great responsibility they're taking on when they seek to place themselves in judgement over others. It isn't something that people should necessarily avoid "at all costs" but rather something that people should take very seriously, and acknowledge their own culpability should they end up fingering a good person unfairly. We all have our own biases, and surely someone who we feel has threatened us is someone we can reasonably be expected to be biased against. Keeping ourselves and our own away from such people is utterly reasonable. Going beyond that requires more careful consideration, but still should be undertaken when you feel that you're willing to take responsibility for your actions in doing so, fully cognizant of that responsibility.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

In my opinion, there are three issues here.

1) Is this person misusing district resources?

It depends on the district's policy regarding these matters.


2) Should this person be around children?

I really don't think you are in a position to judge that. Personal lives and professional lives are very often two different things. Teachers are real people, too, and I do believe that freedom of thought is permitted in this nation. Of course, we aren't allowed to be "real" when on the clock using a district computer...



3) Are you prepared for the fallout from crossing the line from the internet into reality?

I imagine that there could be some very undesirable consequences from taking action in this matter. Are you prepared for that possibility?

 

[ducklite]

I do have a question.
Your own credibility and motives here will definately be on the line.
Just how did you find out about this?
How are you sure you know exactly who is doing this? (could be just about anyone on that other keyboard???)
What reasons caused you to become involved?

It's a long story that I'd rather not get into, but I did nothing illegal to get the info I have. My credibility isn't on the line, as I've meticulously documented my allegations, and it can all be seen online.

I would give this careful consideration.
I would give a bit of time for the emotional shock and anger to pass.
Then, if you still feel you have concerns, then I think you should notify the Superintendant.

I've held this information for about a year now, so this is not a rash decision. This person ahs recently resurfaced again and is again spewing hatred which is why I'm revisting the issue.

Anne

 

[SueM in MN]

I would do nothing. I have found that people often 'try on' personas in the anonymity of the internet. They say things they don't really feel just to see how others will react. They aren't necessarily being themselves; they are often playing a role. Personally that's not my style but I sure know a lot of people that do it.

If someone is doing that on an internet connection at home, on their own computer, that's their business.
If they are doing it on an internet connection and/or computer that doesn't belong to them, then they have crossed a line that shouldn't be crossed.

 

[ducklite]

I too just posted before I saw your post about the threats.

Do you have any documentation of these veiled threats?
That would be important too!!!

If all of this is true, then I would definately notify somebody!

Yes, I have this documented.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

What makes you think this person is "entrusted to care for children"? The OP never said that. The OP said it was "someone employed by a public school system". And that's really the point: People read into things things that aren't necessarily there. Pointing fingers is very easy, but people should recognize the great responsibility they're taking on when they seek to place themselves in judgement over others. It isn't something that people should necessarily avoid "at all costs" but rather something that people should take very seriously, and acknowledge their own culpability should they end up fingering a good person unfairly. We all have our own biases, and surely someone who we feel has threatened us is someone we can reasonably be expected to be biased against. Keeping ourselves and our own away from such people is utterly reasonable. Going beyond that requires more careful consideration, but still should be undertaken when you feel that you're willing to take responsibility for your actions in doing so, fully cognizant of that responsibility.

The person teaches in a high school.

Anne

 

[April in Disney]

Anne,

I would definately find out what the schools policy is on internet usage then I would report it to school superintendant's office, school principal and members of school board. I have read your posts for many years and know you don't make haste judgment. Good luck

 

[Wishing on a star]

What makes you think this person is "entrusted to care for children"? The OP never said that. The OP said it was "someone employed by a public school system".

Bicker,

I do not care if it is the school janitor!!!
Would I want a convicted pedophile to be the janitor at my childs school. He!! no.

Every individual employed by the school system should be somebody that would not be a threat. Every adult in that building, as an employee of the school system, is there to work with children, process private information regarding the children, etc.. etc..

 

[Nana Annie]

I would report it.

Schools these days are encouraging children and parents to report even vague suspicions of hate rhetoric. And then let the school investigate. And, at least in our district, you can remain anonymous.

There is way too much PC "I shouldn't get involved" mentality these days.

If just a few of the people with suspicions had reported them, there might not be so many parents at Columbine mouring their dead children. Dangerous threats often start with hate speech directed at ethnic groups.

In our district, there is a no tolerance policy for bullies - and that includes teachers. Absolutely no tolerance for any kind of hate directed speech. The first amendment does not apply to persons using computers belonging to a state entity.

And just report your suspicions. Let the school do the investigation. But if you have well founded suspicions, then absolutely - yes - report it. If it were my child in that school, I would thank you as a parent.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Ducklite,

Thank you for clarification that this person is indeed a teacher.

A person with the capability to spew this kind of off-kilter hatred and threats should not be working with impressionable adolescent minds!

I know a bit about you from your posts here...
NO FEAR!! LOL!!!
If I continued to be concerned, I would notify the correct authorities.


PS: Well said Nana Annie. My thoughts exactly.

 

[bicker]

I do not care if it is the school janitor!!!

That was exactly my point -- the lack of care. When making accusations it is important to care -- to take extraordinary care, to preclude fingering a good person.

 

[ducklite]

And more of the story gets filled in. Is this person a communications teacher, perhaps?

I do not believe so.

Anne

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I would report it to the proper people. Let them figure out if it's a breach of some kind. It's not your job to figure all that out since you don't know the ins and outs of the school policies, laws, etc. Then you can wash your hands of it knowing that at least you alerted someone. Document what you report.

 

[Serena]

I think you need to find someone else objective to look at what you have to decide on whether to report it or not.
If they have threatened you then you cannot be objective, and it could be seen as revenge, and/or totally false.
Do you know someone trustworthy and possibly a person of authority to look into it before making a public accusation by reporting him/her?

 

[bicker]

That's a very very wise suggestion, Serena.

 

[ducklite]

I think you need to find someone else objective to look at what you have to decide on whether to report it or not.
If they have threatened you then you cannot be objective, and it could be seen as revenge, and/or totally false.
Do you know someone trustworthy and possibly a person of authority to look into it before making a public accusation by reporting him/her?

Good idea. I have a friend who knows nothing about the situation and is ver level headed. I'll give her all the things I've printed out over the past couple years and ask her "what do you think I should do with this?"

I'll let you know what she says.

Anne

 

[CajunDixie]

If the person posted on a website why not just send the principal, super. and the board the website and a website showing them how to look up IP addresses. Then they can see for themselves exactly what is being posted, who posted it and when it was posted.

Do we really want teachers surfin' the web when they should be available to their students? Do we want our kids seeing what this person has posted? Even if they do the surfin' on their free hour I believe that free hour is for grading assignments and tests and for planning future assignments.

It amazes me how teachers complain about not having time to talk to students about their grades or answer their questions, yet these same teachers have time to surf the web and play games on the school's computers. I don't get it.

I've even walked into a classroom and not only was the teacher emailing someone, she also was watching music videos. Yet she didn't have time to get my son's makeup work from 2 days ready before noon.

 

[MICKEY88]

I understand you have the IP address, but how does that prove who the individual is using the computer,

it is possible for a hacker to send a worm to a pc, that will then allow that person to control the pc, and launch attacks from it, or whatever,,,which will all trace back to that IP...

rather than contacting the school and reporting the person, I'd contact the school and report the ip address and let them determine who it is, that way you have less risk of being involved in any type of retribution from the guilty person.

 

[ilovepcot]

If you continue to be hesitant to report the teacher, here's what I would do: Print out all evidence and mail to teacher in a manila envelope (no return address!) along with a letter informing them if this activity doesn't cease immediately that they will be reported to the proper school authority. They would probably be *horrified* to learn their activity is being watched but they wouldn't know by whom, how many or for how long. Personally, I'd HATE that and it would make me squirm if I were in their shoes!