Facebook and teachers.

I have several friends who are teachers who are also on Facebook. All (except one) have private profiles and make sure their students can't find them.

I have one friend, though, who is a high school teacher and has several friends who are his students. He posts personal pictures - i.e. wedding, vacations, family... and on each picture there are loads of comments from his teenage students. In fact, some of his photo albums actually contain pictures of the students too, like at recess, graduation, etc.

Am I crazy for thinking that this is inappropriate?

Re: Facebook and teachers.

As a teacher, I do find that highly inappropriate. I am on facebook, but I am private and would NEVER friend a student. EVER!

Re: Facebook and teachers.

I know of some teachers who do this.
I agree with you! I think it's very inappropriate.
I'd never "friend" one of my students, even after they graduate I still would not... They're not my friends, they're my students, & I wouldn't want them seeing my personal info & pictures.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

I feel that if your have your students as your friends on FB or myspace, it puts an additional element of responsibilty on you that you may not want. For example, last year an 8th grader of my school posed semi-nude pics of herself. If I, as her teacher, had seen them, I would have had a duty to report it to someone, and if I hadn't I would have had to answer to someone about why I didn't know. Does that make sense? I just feel that my work life and my private life need to be separate.

I don't think what your friend is doing is so inappropriate, but I also think that there is potential for problems. I have a former student as a friend who is 20, but I would never friend a current student.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

WAY inappropriate. I don't even like friending my coworkers.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

Some of my students have friend requested me and I tell them when they graduate I will be their friend, but not while they are in school.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

Totally inappropriate! That is why I share my page with my DH and it is under his name!

Re: Facebook and teachers.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

I am friends with some of my students, but I don't teach in public schools and it isn't like an actual school like what you are thinking of.

I am an ESL teacher and they are around the same age as me. They come to learn conversational English at one school I work at (the other is a university and I am not friends with them). There was one class that I was very close with as friends and we would often go to the pub on Fridays to hang out and chat. Those are the ones that are on my friend list.

Many other teachers are also friends with some students and it is not looked down upon. I think b/c the environment is totally different from your traditional school setting.

If it were a traditional school setting, then yes, I would not be friends with them. I am not friends with my university students b/c of this.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

very inappropriate i had a former student request me i immediately said no

Re: Facebook and teachers.

totally inappropriate IMO...I am on FB and am private and would never friend a student (or their parent for that matter) Mixing the 2 is a recipe for disaster IMO.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

Inappropriate. Even if it's highschool with a few year's difference in age. There is a line between teacher & friend that shouldn't be crossed. Trusted advisor is fine. Friend is not.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

I am on FB and am not friends with any of my students. I have it on private and so that it is difficult to find me.

I do know a few people who friend their students. Some have a separate account for students, where they post minimal information. Others have it so students can only see a limited profile.

I do not think it is inappropriate, but I do think it can put you in a compromising situation if students post inappropriate things which you will then have to report.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

it is totally innapropriate. I would think he would get in trouble if admin found out. We are not allowed to communicate with our students out side of school. And who would want to anyway?

Re: Facebook and teachers.

ive never had students try to friend me on facebook, but i have had a few try to on myspace. i shot them a quick note explaining that its inappropriate and that i couldnt accept their friend request.

i teach 4th grade, i did tell my principal abouth their accounts though because they all had misleading info and provacative pics on their profiles. scary!

Re: Facebook and teachers.

Very inappropriate!!!

I have former students who I have kept in contact with, some even teach with me now and IMO they are STILL off limits.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

This is very inappropriate! He is setting himself up for serious problems!

Re: Facebook and teachers.

I do think that is inappropriate. I won't even accept friend requests from students after they have graduated.

I do have a friend though that has two accounts. One for students and then she has a personal one.

Message edited 2/15/2009 11:52:32 AM.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

Message edited 2/15/2009 11:19:47 AM.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

the word "inappropriate" to me means he's doing something wrong. rather than inappropriate, i think he's doing something stupid. students are not your friends. your profile should be set to private, and even then, keep everything on it clean and innocent.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

I work with children and think it is highly inappropriate. Many students have friend requested and I deny each one and explain to them that it is not an appropriate thing to do.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

I have a friend with 2 accounts. One is for herself - and her friends. The other is for her students. She feels like it makes her more human and approachable to them - and it gives her greater access to 'their world'. They seem to appreciate it, are respectful and it has engendered their trust and belief that she truly cares for them.

I haven't seen your friends page - but since the person I am talking about doesn't use foul language, but up half nude photos or hang out drinking beers with her students.. I think it's fine.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

I don't think it's appropriate regardless of the content. That's like giving out your home number to your students and conversating on the phone.

Re: Facebook and teachers.

Message edited 2/15/2009 11:58:43 AM.