What would you do?

[Zurealsoon]

Even high school teachers are entitled to their opinions. I think that is called "freedom of speech". My mother is a teacher in the public school system, and they are allowed to use the computers for personal use during their breaks.

Unless someone has made some kind of realistic physical threat against you, than, no, I would not report it. From what it sounds like, you only know this person from some posts on the internet, and, honestly, that is not evidence of anything. I could be a 10 year old boy who believes the exact opposite of anything I have posted, and you can't know that from posts on a board.

I don't think you should play "God" in regards to a person's livliehood.

 

[kristen821]

I think we all need more information to give accurate opinions on what we would do. It depends on the treat and what he/she was hating against.

 

[Charade]

While teachers do and should have freedom of speech that does not apply to using school owned equipment. That applies to any job not just teachers. If they are doing it from their home computer that is a different issue

But if that is the ONLY provable offense, why make a big deal of it? Seems as though Anne has more issues that may not be provable since she doesn't know if his/her comments/feelings are made while at work. If they were, I'm sure that someone at the school already knows about it. If I knew that my neighbors (one is a school superintendent and the other a school teacher at my local school district) were using their school computers against policy, I wouldn't report them. It's none of my business. However, if I worked at the school, I might consider it.

 

[wilderness01]

Unless someone has made some kind of realistic physical threat against you, than, no, I would not report it. From what it sounds like, you only know this person from some posts on the internet, and, honestly, that is not evidence of anything. I could be a 10 year old boy who believes the exact opposite of anything I have posted, and you can't know that from posts on a board.

I don't think you should play "God" in regards to a person's livliehood.

I agree.

 

[Wishing on a star]

So, if I am reading these latest posts correctly,
it is perfectly acceptable for a teacher to engage in hate-speach, very strong profanity, and threats?

To me, that is like saying it is Okay if they are a pedophile, as long as they do it on their own time, and are not caught red-handed, on school property, with a student enrolled at the school.

Is it fair to assume that somebody who is openly doing this, is able to completely separate these parts of their personality and completely leave them out of their dealings as a teacher.

I am sitting here thinking that that this person, more than likely, has students from these demographic groups in their classroom. How can they spew that kind of hate, during the school day, on the school computer, and then return to the classroom and treat these students with fairness and kindness.

Talk about 'unbalanced'!

With all this Political Correctness, has it reached the point that it is it now taboo to expect some level of 'character' from those who teach our children!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Also, wanted to add...

Since when is submitting credible written evidence of inappropriate behavior 'playing god'????

It is up to the School District to make the ultimate judgment here.
Not the OP.

 

[SueM in MN]

While teachers do and should have freedom of speech that does not apply to using school owned equipment. That applies to any job not just teachers. If they are doing it from their home computer that is a different issue

Where I work there is an internet policy. By going on the internet at work (even during my break), I am agreeing to abide by that policy, which limits what I can say and where I can go.

 

[figment52]

I have written proof. My concern is that their words show them to be somewhat unbalanced, and I'm concerned that someone like this is working around children.

Anne

ABSOLUTELY - protect the children.

 

[nwdisgal]

Where I work there is an internet policy. By going on the internet at work (even during my break), I am agreeing to abide by that policy, which limits what I can say and where I can go.

Yes. ITA. I work for a university. I know our policies are very strict about inappropriate internet usage, especially posting or making any negative reference to a person's religion, ethnicity, physical condition, sexual orientation, etc in the school setting or on linew while we are using the school computer. We have to sign a pretty extensive internet users agreement before we are allowed school based internet/e-mail access.

Also, when I worked in Corporate America I saw people who were terminated/walked out for what the company deemed to be inappropriate internet use. The company tracked their access through external internet site hits.

I believe in the rights of the individual. However, there is a limit to this. When you are working for a school or a company, specific rules are set to protect the rights of the general consensus. You sign an agreement to abide by them and you should while you are on their dime. If this person is using school resources, then I see just cause in reporting them.

 

[Pagan Moon]

I'd tell too.....

 

[Talking Hands]

I work in a school system in the same state as Anne. There is a very strict internet policy for use of the school computers. I signed a paper agreeing to follow that policy, just as the students do. Writing emails with hate talk, racial slurs, porn, etc or placing them on a school or personal website connected to the school is strictly forbidden as is surfing to certain types of websites. I am sure that the policy in Anne's county are just as strong. Anne if he is violating the policies and making threats even if veiled I would urge you to report him and let the school system investigate and decide what measures to take.

 

[MariettaC]

I would report the improper use of school equipment immediately.

 

[ducklite]

My friend looked over the documentation I have and has strongly urged me to report the person. The person in question is not in Florida. I haven't made a decision yet.

I am torn as this person has used school equipment to use foul language and make statements that I'm sure the administration would be not pleased with in a best case scenario, and I can prove that. However I don't know if they were just blowing off steam and simply had a foolish lapse in judgement.

They have also made some bigoted comments about a protected class of people from a computer not at school. I agree they have their right to free speech while at home. But they certainly don't set a good example, and it's this pattern of behavior that concerns me. If the bigoted statement had been a one time post to be concerned with, I'd just roll my eyes and walk away thinking that the poster was just a loser.

My concern is that it's a serial situation, and if they have this lapse of judgement with statements they make on the Internet, could the same thing happen in the classrom?

To any of you who think I've got a vendetta against this person and am out to ruin their life, that's not the case. I think they are a royal jerk, but far be it from me to get so upset about what someone says on an Internet chat board that I would try to ruin their career. Trust me, I've got far better things to do with my time. My concern is for the children this person has daily conatact with.

Anne

 

[Zurealsoon]

I am not computer-savy , by any means. How can you tell this info-about which and where they are using computers?

 

[JimB.]

would you alert the school board or someone else with authority?

In a New York Minute............

 

[Serena]

You obviously feel strongly about this. Check your motives and then do what you need to do.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

My friend looked over the documentation I have and has strongly urged me to report the person. The person in question is not in Florida. I haven't made a decision yet.

I am torn as this person has used school equipment to use foul language and make statements that I'm sure the administration would be not pleased with in a best case scenario, and I can prove that. However I don't know if they were just blowing off steam and simply had a foolish lapse in judgement.

They have also made some bigoted comments about a protected class of people from a computer not at school. I agree they have their right to free speech while at home. But they certainly don't set a good example, and it's this pattern of behavior that concerns me. If the bigoted statement had been a one time post to be concerned with, I'd just roll my eyes and walk away thinking that the poster was just a loser.

My concern is that it's a serial situation, and if they have this lapse of judgement with statements they make on the Internet, could the same thing happen in the classrom?

To any of you who think I've got a vendetta against this person and am out to ruin their life, that's not the case. I think they are a royal jerk, but far be it from me to get so upset about what someone says on an Internet chat board that I would try to ruin their career. Trust me, I've got far better things to do with my time. My concern is for the children this person has daily conatact with.

Anne

All this information just fell into your lap, including when they made which type of statement, and where they made them from, but you don't have a vendetta against them?

 

[SillyMe]

He may have used the school's computer, but that does NOT mean that he shares his opinions with his students. I would be very careful with your decision. You could be ruining not only his life, but his family's life. For all you know, he could have a totally different persona as a teacher and have a good reputation and relationship with his students.

 

[ducklite]

All this information just fell into your lap, including when they made which type of statement, and where they made them from, but you don't have a vendetta against them?

More or less, it was handed to me on a silver platter. If I had a vendetta, don't you think I would have reported it a year or more ago? The person in question had been low key and I had chaulked several incidents up to either my misunderstanding or bad judgement on their part. Now they are again making statements that make me wonder about their suitablility to teach children.

Anne

 

[Wishing on a star]

He may have used the school's computer, but that does NOT mean that he shares his opinions with his students. I would be very careful with your decision. You could be ruining not only his life, but his family's life. For all you know, he could have a totally different persona as a teacher and have a good reputation and relationship with his students.

I do not know exactly what has been posted by this person.
I do not know if this alleged person is actually the one at the keyboard.
I do not know if this person is guilty.

But, on a broader note... If there is evidence that somebody who is employed to teach children may possibly be this unbalanced (ie. totally different persona) Then, the very LAST thing I am concerned about is him or his family.

The children would be my main concern here.

I simply give no consideration at all to 'sympathy' for the accused.
Do the crime, do the time...
If this person values their job, their reputation, and their family, then they should not be doing anything like this, openly, on public internet.

The fact that they would choose to put their job, reputation, and family, at risk by doing what they are possibly doing. That says a lot.

I do not believe that the OP is on any kind of witch-hunt or vendetta here. But, you know what. Even if she is. So what. If this person is breaking the code of conduct and the policy on use of school computers. Then, he/she should be held accountable.

Is anyone here actually insinuating that the OP would actually fabricate this stuff? Unless she is, there is no false accusation here.