Should a teacher’s Facebook posts ruin her career?
A former high school teacher is suing a north Georgia school district, alleging she was forced to resign over photos and expletives on Facebook.
Illustrations by PAUL LACHINE / NewsArt
Ashley Payne contends that the Barrow County school district violated state labor law because she was never told she was entitled to a hearing. Her attorney, Richard Storrs, says the 24-year-old former Apalachee High School teacher was “not made aware of her rights” and should be granted the hearing.
After teaching at the school for two years, Payne resigned in August after her principal questioned her about her Facebook page, which included photos of her holding wine and beer and an expletive.
(Payne told the Athens Banner Herald it was the “B” word that landed her in hot water with her principal. She posted it in the context of saying she was going to an Atlanta restaurant that featured a game called Crazy “B” Bingo. Here is a link to the bars that hold Crazy Bxxxx Bingo games.)
The more I learn about this case, I have to wonder who’s crazy here.
Unless the school system has other concerns about this teacher, I can’t understand how her Facebook page content – which would be tame for even my mother – would get her fired.
Barrow has a policy that states employees can be investigated and disciplined for postings on Web sites that contain provocative photographs, sexually explicit messages, use of alcohol, drugs or anything students are prohibited from doing. And the policy allows for termination for such transgressions.
According to the Barrow Journal:
According to the court filing, [principal] McGee informed Payne that the school system strongly disapproved of her activity on the popular social networking site Facebook. Specifically, McGee objected to photos which showed Payne holding alcoholic beverages while on vacation and a status update which used a pejorative term for females.Allegedly McGee then told Payne that her online conduct was unacceptable and that if she did not resign, she would be suspended. McGee further advised that a suspension would adversely affect her chances for future employment. The filing states that McGee told Payne that she “could not win this” and that resignation was her best option.As a result of the meeting, Payne resigned from the school system immediately.
The lawsuit states that Payne was not informed of her right to a hearing, nor was it disclosed that a suspension could only be for a period of ten days. As a result, Payne claimed her resignation was wrongfully coerced by McGee.
Frankly, given the sex tapes that folks are making and sending (Miss California, for instance) and the other outrageous stuff on the Internet, does this case warrant removal of the teacher?
And should teachers be accountable for what they do off hours as long as their conduct is legal?
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128 comments Add your comment
Really?
November 10th, 2009
2:10 pm
What was the “expletive”?
This seems pretty stupid to me. I understand they are held to a higher accountability because they instruct our youth, but firing someone over holding wine and beer. It seems that there is something deeper going on here.
It is important to point out, the younger and more involved in internet social networking a new employee is, than the more of these actions will be warranted. The district is setting a firm line now, however dismissal of an employee over this is a bit extreme. This precedent is dangerous.
Let’s consider if she was a good teacher and role model first. If so, do we want to remove them from the education system? Especially considering Georgia’s National ranking.
EducationCEO
November 10th, 2009
2:17 pm
Absurd. The million dollar question should be: Who did she piss off? The principal, another teacher, etc.? Who was on her page anyway? Someone (a busybody) with nothing else to do trying to find some dirt on her? Or, did they need to create a position for a coach and realize that she was the ‘weakest link’ and therefore, an easy target? I am really tired of people thinking that teachers are not entitled to having lives outside of the classroom/school setting. Every other profession can go and do what they want withouth having these extra, unneccessary standards placed upon them. Yes, teacher are important in our communities but they are also human beings. She may have posted some explicit photos (and she should know better considering how vulnerable social sites are to hackers) but it was not cause to fire her. If she does not get her job back, then every woman in Education who has ever slept with her boss (principal) to get special favors, e.g., coming to work late everyday, leaving early, promotions, etc., should also be fired. Furthermore, every school employee who has ever engaged in an extra-marital affair should also be fired. There would certainly be a lot of teaching positions available in Georgia’s schools. Dust-off your resumes!
E
November 10th, 2009
2:17 pm
If she was a good teacher otherwise, it would seem more productive to inform her of policies and have the Facebook material removed or made private so students would not access it. Of course, it’s hard to say from the details… did she show this page to students? Was it listed by school or some similar keyword? Of course, most people I work with just take it for granted that if a social network’s profile is public, coworkers (and students for school positions) WILL see it eventually. Either make it anonymous (carefully), make it private, or make it clean – for almost any sort of job.
Maureen Downey
November 10th, 2009
2:20 pm
The Barrow Journal describes the expletive as a “pejorative term for females.”
But should the word matter?
She did not say it to the class.
Maureen
V for Vendetta
November 10th, 2009
2:22 pm
This is ridiculous. Although I have to wonder why her page wasn’t set to “private.” How did this come to light?
Kevin
November 10th, 2009
2:23 pm
She had a drink on vacation. Big whoop. I doubt that a student even saw that photo, being that she would have had to “friend” that student to allow him/her to see it. I’d be willing to guess that co-worker of Ms Payne’s became “facebook friends” with her and turned her in. I’d let her teach my kid, as long as she was qualified/certified. Unless there are other issues, this situation only required a “stern talking to.” Kids make mistakes, she made a perfectly legal one.
Maureen Downey
November 10th, 2009
2:28 pm
To Really, It appears she used the B word.
To V, The further details below are from the Athens Banner Herald: http://onlineathens.com/stories/111009/new_514612877.shtml
McGee questioned her about her Facebook page, which included pictures of her holding glasses of wine and beer and about using bad language, Payne said.
“He said that if it was just the language or just the pictures, I might be OK,” Payne said. “But with both, there was no way I could win.
“He said I should resign, or he would suspend me, and I thought at the time that he had the authority to suspend me. He strongly advised me to do it.”
Payne had taught literature to ninth- and 10th-graders at the school for two years. She had no other complaints against her, and still doesn’t know who alerted the school about her Facebook page.
“There’s so much focus on this one little thing in my personal life, and nothing on the good things I had done there,” Payne said. “I didn’t do anything unethical or immoral. I didn’t use that kind of language or act that way in the classroom.”
Payne’s lawsuit claims McGee had his administrator help Payne write her resignation letter and gave her no warning of the complaint, forcing her to make a decision on the spot.
Storrs and Payne asked the school district in September to rescind her resignation and grant her a hearing. State law requires a school district to provide the teacher with a written notice of alleged charges and a hearing before the local school board.
The district denied the request, Storrs said.
“They weren’t willing to do anything about the situation,” he said.
Payne contends that her Facebook profile is private and should not have been visible to students and their parents.
Facebook is a social networking Web site that allows members and their friends to upload photos and send messages that other friends can see.
The pictures of Payne holding drinks were taken while she was on vacation in Europe over the summer, she said. On one message, she wrote, “Going to Bxxxx BINGO,” the name of a game played at an Atlanta restaurant.
“What she said on there was pretty innocuous, and they overreacted,” Storrs said.
Meme
November 10th, 2009
2:40 pm
She was not really forced to make a decision on the spot but I am sure she felt like it. She should never have resigned. However, I think she should have known what her rights were and not whine that no one told her she could have a hearing.
Lisa
November 10th, 2009
2:50 pm
I think that what a person does after work or on their web pages is their own business and big brother needs to keep out of it. They are invading our privacy, trying to dictate what we do and how we live. When will it stop?
Maureen Downey
November 10th, 2009
2:55 pm
Lisa, I don’t know where it will stop but it seems it should stop way short of going after a teacher for a vacation photo showing her with a glass in her hand and a statement she made about going to play “B” bingo somewhere.
Maureen
Private school guy
November 10th, 2009
3:03 pm
The last time I checked beer and wine were legal in Georgia. This is way out of control. I hope she sues and collects big time.
njdramateacher
November 10th, 2009
3:19 pm
Hey, she should come up here to NJ if she loses her case in GA. Up here, we have school board members, principals, teachers…all of them with Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Friendster…you name it. Some even have pics with their hands all over students, smoking, drinking..you name it.
azcat225
November 10th, 2009
3:31 pm
And you would know all of that how, “Meme”? Were you there doing the transcribing of the meeting? A second year teacher hasn’t had the need (yet) to know what her rights are—she is still just concentrating on teaching. After a teacher has been in the system for a while, and most likely burned by one of the Meme’s of the world, they get much wiser. The guess about freeing up room for a new coach sounds about right to me.
Laura
November 10th, 2009
3:34 pm
Well, this is a bit ignorant. If alcohol consumption is legal for me to do, then what is the big deal? It’s not having alcohol on campus in front of your students. I’m sure that their parents drink anyway. God forbid a teacher do or have a life outside of school.
Rules of thumb – always make your profile private, never EVER friend students, and make sure that if you do add co-workers as friends, they’re ones you’re actually really friends with.
Regardless of what she did, this whole thing is absurd.
Teacher, Too
November 10th, 2009
3:42 pm
If you are of the age of 21 or older, it is legal to drink. It is absurd that a teacher, who is presumably 21 or older, to be fired for having a picture of her consuming an adult beverage. She was not doing anything illegal.
M I am 43 years old; if I want a glass or wine or a beer, I am allowed to have it. I would NEVER drink at school or attend a school function after having an alcoholic beverage. That is in violation of the ethics code, and would cost me my job.
However, my Facebook page does have pictures of me with an adult beverage. One of my friends took the pictures at tailgate and posted them. If someone turns in my Facebook page and I get fired, I will file a law suit. I don’t friend students, and I have “unfriended” anyone of my “teacher” friends that has friended students. I keep my page as private as I can, and I am careful with whom I accept as friends.
When my students ask me why I won’t friend them, I tell them there is a line, and they are not my friends yet. When they graduate from high school, we can discuss “being friended.”
Magenta
November 10th, 2009
4:07 pm
We are becoming such a puritanical society. Less than 100 years ago, female teachers weren’t allowed to be married and their movements were watched and judged. We’re going backward in a hurry. When I went to school, it was sort of a thrill to catch teachers being “human.” Having a beer during a school outing, being able to read the cigarette label through a shirt pocket, hearing them use salty language in the faculty lounge, or even glimpsing a bottle of Schenley’s in someone’s suitcase during an overnight trip (yes, I still remember the brand!!). It was exotic; it made us feel like we were grown-up enough to understand this side of our teachers. I am NOT talking about inviting kids over to your house and giving them alcohol or any boundary-crossing. I’m just saying that for kids to see the adult side of their ADULT teachers (I mean, they couldn’t be teachers unless they were over 21, right??) doesn’t do kids any harm. We’re trying to reduce all of society to a Romper-Room level, and all it’s going to do is turn everybody into a bunch of finger-pointing hypocrites. I’d love to see what the teacher’s BOSS does in his or her spare time. Probably something much more interesting than what was shown on the Facebook page.
NA
November 10th, 2009
4:09 pm
This may violate some code of conduct. Teachers organizations have always advised teachers to keep their profile pages private. I do not accept friend requests from students, parents or even some colleagues. She does have a case about her rights being violated in the process. She also should have known not to resign when being confronted in this way.I think we could all benefit by being a little more careful about what we post in public for the world to see.
RJ
November 10th, 2009
4:40 pm
She should so sue!!!! This standard that some want teachers to live by is absurd. Yes, I will have a drink. I’ll never forget when a student saw me sitting in my car at the local package store (in my parents neighborhood, not where I taught) while my husband went inside. He came back the following Monday to tell everyone that he saw me at the liquor store. My question…what were YOU doing there? Enough said. His mom drinks, so do I.
I hope she is able to get her job back or least a LOT of money. But…teachers beware. I have known others to get into lots of trouble over photos. Keep your pages private. Or keep 2, one for co-workers and one for real friends. Some parents have nothing better to do than to look for a teachers page and cause problems!
catlady
November 10th, 2009
4:59 pm
Is this system JUST as aggressive in booting out KIDS who use the “n” word, the “f” word, and the “b” word? I doubt it. And the kids use this language AT SCHOOL.
catlady
November 10th, 2009
5:07 pm
I also hope she gets a lot of money, a public appology which she posts on her facebook site, and serious consequences against the administrators. A colleague got burned by this a week or so ago: she got called in about something she had posted on her page about how poorly school was going this year! Geeze!
kelvin
November 10th, 2009
5:49 pm
I know of a teacher who was fired because he was invited to a graduation Bar-b-Que (after the graduation) from one of the parents. While there he had a beer and there were ‘current’ students at the party. So the students were able to see their own parents, grand parents, family and students parents drink – but not the teachers…crazy. Yes, if teachers were doing something illegal – then yes, but c’mon.
connie
November 10th, 2009
5:56 pm
My kids go to this school and for the most part it is a good school. I like the faculty and staff and so do my kids. I think this is stupid. What she does on her own time and away from the kids is her business. Unless she is drinking while teaching I do not see an issue. She is of legal age and allowed to enjoy her free time however she chooses as long as she is not breaking the law. She is not a nun she is a public high school teacher. This is about as ridiculous as it gets!! How do you expect to get and keep decent caring teachers on the pay they make if we railroad them for having a life!!!
plc
November 10th, 2009
6:05 pm
How does anyone expect us to prepare students to be ready for careers in the 21st century when they us to be in the 17th? I keep my facebook private, but have a twitter account for students to follow to remind them of big tests, assignments, etc.
This could set a horrible precedent for teachers using technology with students and more importantly, invading teachers’ lives. I’m very careful to keep my private life and my school life separate, and the district should allow me to do that.
Lee
November 10th, 2009
6:23 pm
Just another example of why many have lost confidence in the public school systems. Idiot administrators who develop a Napoleon complex.
Contrast that with the private sector where there are pictures of me drinking at a COMPANY function. Hell, the company furnished the drinks.
Glad this young lady got a lawyer. Maybe she can get some satisfaction from this sorry ordeal.
Courtney
November 10th, 2009
6:50 pm
Open & Shut lawsuit. I can see all the lawyers running up to Barrow right now. The taxpayers of barrow are about to take it in the rear. This principal should be fired RIGHT NOW!
ajf7688 Blog - Should a teacher's Facebook posts ruin her career? | Get Schooled
November 10th, 2009
7:27 pm
[...] Read the original post: Should a teacher's Facebook posts ruin her career? | Get Schooled [...]
Talk to the Hand
November 10th, 2009
7:45 pm
People should be careful what they post on Face book and My Space. It is not just the photos, and language that can show up and bite you on the behind. But what applications you allow to be posted on your profile. What one person might not find so bad his neighbor might be offended by. If she was dumb enough to become a fan of the school or of something connected to the school anybody who was a fan to, can sometimes see your profile. Or if she posted something on another friends profile somebody else who was a friend of that friend could see what she had posted there. The best bet would have been to be very careful what was posted. once out there in computer land it can never be totally removed.
Starlights
November 10th, 2009
7:51 pm
This sounds like a case where the school went a bit too far. Having a personal life is not a crime, even for a teacher. I applaud her bravery having the guts to stand up to the system. No one deserves to be treated this way for having a life outside of work, it’s pretty sad when we live in country that affords us these rights and freedoms and they are trampled on be those who can’t lighten up and have a little fun in their own lives. Here is a school district that apparently just drops the hammer on a teacher for having a life and yet they fail to even follow proper procedure themselves for looking into the facts of the matter. I am sure there is plenty some of these hypocrites that forced her out have done much worse themselves than posting a funny -G rated- picture on a face book page, a picture on face book? you deserve to lose your job over that? sheer overkill, pretty outrageous if you ask me, she should get her job back, a nice settlement for damages and a raise, nothing less.
Meme
November 10th, 2009
8:28 pm
azcat225 Stupid is as stupid does. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. I agree that she should sue but she shouldn’t whine about resigning because she didn’t know. That sounds like an excuse one of my 8th graders would use.
Meme
November 10th, 2009
8:31 pm
Oh, and azcat225, no I wasn’t there but I don’t think she was tortured into resigning. She could have said no just as easily as she said yes.
Old fart
November 10th, 2009
9:00 pm
“Barrow has a policy that states employees can be investigated and disciplined for postings on Web sites that contain provocative photographs, sexually explicit messages, use of alcohol, drugs or anything students are prohibited from doing. And the policy allows for termination for such transgressions.”
Part of her contract I assume. Whine all you want, but she knew the rules.
Should Professors Be Fired For Private Opinions? - Page 2 - Religious Education Forum
November 11th, 2009
12:27 am
[...] [...]
Resolve
November 11th, 2009
12:42 am
I agree with her firing. These students need responsible adults not more friends!!!!!
catlady
November 11th, 2009
7:21 am
Now, if you want to address teacher behavior, send home teachers who are too upset to be there because of divorce, etc. My daughter lost months of good instruction in calculus her senior year because her teacher was going through a difficult divorce. He would even cry in class! I have overheard teachers having fights on the cell phone with their husbands or children. They should be sent home.
Don’t bring your private business to school!
catlady
November 11th, 2009
7:22 am
And, schools, stay out of teachers’ private business!
Spexis
November 11th, 2009
7:25 am
Resolve, where did anyone mention that she was “friends” with the students??? Having your picture taken with a drink in your hand while on vacation makes you an irresponsible adult??? PUHLEEEZE!
Joy in Teaching
November 11th, 2009
7:33 am
While I think her being forced to resign is unfortunate and wrong, teachers in Georgia who do not have tenure can be fired for absolutely no reason at all. She did not have tenure after only teaching for 2 years. She should probably pay attention during preplanning when that sort of thing is gone over in faculty meetings.
Jennifer
November 11th, 2009
7:41 am
No firing. The issue has nothing to do with classroom performance. Morality police in action. Or someone who wants to offer your job to a friend. Or required cutbacks under another name. Or an attempt to fire for performance based on a benign issue. Get your job and pay back.
Teacher Hubby
November 11th, 2009
8:40 am
Here’s one that will blow your mind. My wife is a teacher, and we are also a couple who frequent some of the swinging bars here in atlanta. Also belong to a couple of swinging websites. Of all the couples we have met over the past few years TEACHERS are by far the most common occupation, for women atleast, of the swinging community.. Whatcha think about that?? Though with all this talk about the trouble this poor girl got into makes me want to go back and remove some of our pics on said websites. Course you have to be over 21 to create an account, I wouldnt be suprised to see someone in the county dept paying the fee just to get in there and see if they know anyone. Ok then, back to just ass shots
In The Know
November 11th, 2009
8:50 am
I agree with EducationCEO 100%!!! I am sure a Coach needing hiring and she was the weakest link. She probably was a professional and professionally dressed and the principal did not like it. The principal must have had some vendetta because she would not sleep with him or he had something else to hold over her head. This is totally absurd! Wake up citizens! There is “Monkey” business going on in EVERY public school. This principal should be fired for simply not knowing that his teachers have rights and are entitled to a hearing. What in the World has Education come to and where in the world are we headed? Lord Have Mercy!!!!!!!!!!
In The Know
November 11th, 2009
8:55 am
Teacher Hubby, I sure wish I had more information on the “Swinging”! I have heard about this and wish I had some pictures! Now, how would that look on the front page of the AJC? I know a few of those swingers in North Metro School Districts that need to be exposed!!!!!
In The Know
November 11th, 2009
9:00 am
Teacher Hubby, I sure wish I had some pictures of those swingers! I have heard that this goes on. How would those pictures look on the front page of the AJC? I know that there are many swinging principals, superintendents, teachers, para-pros, secretaries,etc.. in the North Metro School districts that are into swinging.. Let’s Make a Deal!!!!!!!!
In The Know
November 11th, 2009
9:02 am
To Teacher Hubby, Expose those North Metro School District Swingers! Let’s Make a Deal!!!!!!!!!!
Anti-Resolve
November 11th, 2009
9:43 am
Resolve tell me what she did wrong? That would be like saying a teacher is not allowed to have a drink at a bar in Athens…..during a Georgia game. Is she not allowed to socialize like an adult……How bout you lose your job because you stubbed your toe and said a expletive out loud. Get a clue!!!!
I don't know about this
November 11th, 2009
10:00 am
As was said earlier, if she doen’t have tenure, they do not have to give a reason for firing her. Maybe she wore the wrong color shoes one day.
Not a Georgia fan
November 11th, 2009
10:02 am
I am a teacher and I have had many beers at tailgate parties. It never occurred to me that I was putting myself in danger of being fired.
JH
November 11th, 2009
11:24 am
“Should a teacher’s Facebook posts ruin her career?” NO … but the publicity that she is so desperately seeking after the fact is doing just that. She should have forgotten about a lawsuit, which she will more than likely loose, and move on. There are no teacher “unions” to protect her (from herself) and she wasn’t tenured. GA is a “right to fire” state.
If she is a good teacher, she would have been able to find another job with no problem. Now she is going to be viewed as a trouble-maker and more than likely damaging her “career” as she continues to speak out. Sometimes people don’t realize they are their own “worst enemy”.
In The Know
November 11th, 2009
11:36 am
JH, I disagree! Teachers should feel free to speak out on their behalf! Politics, Politics, Politics……… Sick, Sick, Sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hate Whiners!
November 11th, 2009
12:27 pm
I HOPE this woman wins this lawsuit and is paid HEAVILY! I hate that we’ve become so weak-minded we can’t even let adults be adults!! Just because YOU had unprotected sex that produced a kid doesn’t mean that SHE can’t drink or curse in her off-time! GET OVER IT nut-jobs!!
Meanie
November 11th, 2009
12:28 pm
JH, I love your last line. Sometimes people don’t realize they are their own “worst enemy”.
JH
November 11th, 2009
12:38 pm
Call it “politics” or whatever you wish, but no one said this teacher didn’t have the “right” to speak up for herself. She is doing just that and no one is stopping her. Again most people today just don’t know when to shut up and they become their own worst enemy. Sometimes the “fight” is just not worth it. Learn from your mistakes and move on!
JH
November 11th, 2009
12:46 pm
IF this teacher wins (which is highly doubtful) the only one getting “paid heavily” will be her lawyers. This going to be yet another case where the “fight” is not worth it, financially or otherwise. Learn not only from your mistakes but from the mistakes of others. Anyone remember the Dixie Chicks?
In The Know
November 11th, 2009
12:53 pm
JH, You obviously don’t know how much money school systems have to cover their a$$!!!
DeKalb Conservative
November 11th, 2009
12:58 pm
I hope this teacher wins. There needs to be a separation between profession and personal time. So she’s an adult and she’s drinking. People are making it sound like she’s doing lines of coke w/ her student’s on her desk as she’s grading papers.
Meanie
November 11th, 2009
1:57 pm
And if she wins, she will be paid with Tax-payer money.
JH
November 11th, 2009
2:34 pm
Wow, posters still talking lawsuits and $$$. Lawyers will continue to have it good as long as these attitudes prevail. It is no wonder our society has such a large majority of financially, morally & ethically bankrupt individuals.
Go ahead and cheer for this teacher as SHE continues to demolish her “career”. Next time something doesn’t go your way, don’t blame someone else, just go take a look in the mirror at the failure looking back at you.
Good day.
LeglEgl
November 11th, 2009
2:38 pm
Ms. Payne is a victim of “strong-arm management” in Barrow. Meme – she clearly wasn’t tortured into resigning, and for you to even bring that up demonstrates your ignorance. It’s not difficult to understand that someone could be bullied and intimidated into doing what the boss wants, in this case, for the sake of salvaging a threat on her career. This teacher was a 2nd year teacher and only 24 years of age – just 6 years older than most of the Seniors at the school. She is still enjoying her youth, just as others would at that age in different occupations. She kept this away from her job, which is exactly where the Principal should have kept it.
Barrow County’s policy is ILLEGAL and therfore unenforceable. They SHOULD be held accountable. A government (or an employer, for that matter) cannot be allowed to blatantly dictate the activities of their staff outside the workplace. If what she was doing was illegal, that’s what Police and Prosecutors are for.
While I agree that some minimal intrusion might be legitimate, for instance, if she had posted sexually explicit or provocative photos or language, I really don’t see where this crosses that particular line. The School District, on the other hand crossed a very definitive line – the line of Constitutional Rights !!! I hope she takes the communist government in Barrow for a LONG and EXPENSIVE ride.
majii
November 11th, 2009
4:04 pm
My first teaching job was in Barrow County in 1974. I found the community to be very conservative and the school system and BOE to have almost total control over teachers. I thought this might have changed in 35 years, but it seems that things are basically still the same. The actions of the principal in this case are not at all out-of-line with what usually occurs in smaller towns and school systems. Smaller school systems have a history of blurring the line between the personal freedoms and professional duties of their employees. IMHO, the system violated the teacher’s civil rights since the FB page was not school-related, and the pictures were taken while she was vacationing in Europe last summer.
Old fart
November 11th, 2009
4:11 pm
“Barrow County’s policy is ILLEGAL and therfore(sp) unenforceable.”
We shall see.
Sam
November 11th, 2009
6:45 pm
a good reason on how someone was able to see the teachers vacation pictures on her face book page that got her fired, someone who is friends with the teacher commented on the teachers pictures, on the home page it would say like pam commented on the teachers photo’s. instead of teacher it would be her name. there would be two links, a link with pams name to her face book page, the other link is with photo’s, click on photo’s it will take you right to the teachers photo album. that’s a possible way the mother who saw the teacher with the alcohol in her hand. the mother didn’t need to be friends just followed the link photo’s right to the teachers photo album.
georgia mom
November 11th, 2009
7:50 pm
There is no doubt that anyone on facebook should use discretion. Employers look, neighbors look, bottom line is – you never know who is snooping and setting your settings on private doesn’t necessarily mean you are private either. I still have to tell my college aged son that he must use discretion and nothing on fb should even give the appearance of impropriety.
mpsrn60
November 12th, 2009
1:04 am
How is it that the President of our Country, Obama, can admit that he took illegal drugs as a young man and use profanity, describing the entertainer, Kanye West, as a jack a.s.s when commenting on the behavior of an entertainer that was leaked to the media a few weeks ago which are both acts that are extremely morally and ethically objectionable and not get fired a.k.a impeached, yet, an innocent, young woman of legal age photographed with beverages in both hands, in a foreign country far away from possibility that her students could witness, and during summer break fall subject to such scrutiny and judgment? Based upon these standards, the bastard Obama should be tried and executed! I guess he is above the law or everyone has had too much of his Kool Aid to drink. Not to mention Bill Clintons horrendous indescretions with Monica Lewinsky.
First of all, I am responding with an insiders view to this situation, whereas, I am one of dozens of individuals, ie family, friends, and professional colleagues alike, that support Ashley Payne and have dedicated ourselves to her cause. Ashley is exceptionally intelligent, 07 Magna Cum Laude graduate from UGA, and has been brought up with impeccable ethical and moral standards based upon her Christian beliefs. She was raised by two amazing, conservative grandparents from the age of 18 months. Three days prior to her dismissal/resignation, her grandmother, who cared for her as her own mother, experienced a massive stroke and was hospitalized in Athens. Needless to say, Ashley was already under a tremendous amount of stress before she was confronted by the principal with his accusations and coercion to force her to resign. Regardless of her prior knowledge of any rights or responsibilities that she had contractually, the trauma and anxiety surrounding her grandmothers health issues were overriding factors that compounded this devastating scenario. I doubt that anyone in the same situation could possibly recall any prior knowledge of disciplinary procedures contained in a contract that they had been given over 2 years ago. She was literally blind sighted by his accusations and given the degree of extreme duress that she experienced under these circumstances, she would have probably stood in front of a firing squad if he forced her to. FYI, after weeks of fighting for her life after multiple strokes, her grandmother passed away on September 24th.
The supposedly incriminating snapshot, taken off of school grounds and during summer break is innocuous, yet has surely lead to life altering consequences for this young woman not to mention the damages that she has to have incurred emotionally, professionally, and financially as a result of her unwarranted dismissal. Perhaps if he believes that he is above the law as this principal portrays himself and can coerce a teacher into writing her own letter of resignation under extreme duress, he should be intelligent enough not to mistakenly involve a witness, the assistant principal, that will be required under oath to attest/testify to the circumstances surrounding Ms. Payne being forced to do this. In addition, there was no immoral, unethical, illegal, or even Biblical basis or rationale for his decision to terminate her employment. At the time the photo was taken, she was out of the country far from the possibility that someone from the Barrow County community to witness any behavior that could be misconstrued as intolerable and was of legal age to consume any beverage of her choosing. Furthermore, the principal at the time of his misjudgment had no proof of the contents in the containers in question or that she was actually consuming the beverages pictured.
Whereas, the use of social networking websites is novel and does not have a long history of their safety and privacy, it is not above consideration that Ms. Payne was naïve and unassuming that she would be protected by the mechanisms that exist to protect the security of Facebook website users which is now the most popular and widely used social networking site. Supposedly, the complaint to the principal came from a supposedly concerned parent, however, such an individual would have had to have basically stalked Ms. Paynes Facebook account looking for some cause to have her employment terminated. I doubt that a parent would be so obsessed with revenge against a teacher that they would continuously monitor a teachers Facebook account. The principals refusal to disclose the anonymous identity of this concerned individual to Ms. Payne only left the principal more suspect and he will be forced to reveal the identity of the plaintiff in deposition or court which will ultimately lend itself to the truth about how this individual actually viewed the photo to begin with. The truth is that the only person that would have had such a vendetta against her could only have been the one who perpetrated this unimaginably unjust termination, i.e. the principal himself.
Perhaps the principal should have done his own due diligence contractually and legally before making such a drastic and impulsive decision. How is it possible that he stated that he consulted with the Superintendent regarding this issue prior to her dismissal, whereas, it is hard to believe that someone in that position would have encouraged or even permitted such action by firing this young woman without cautious deliberation regarding the legal ramifications that could result from such a decision? Realistically, how could a photo be posted on her account one evening on August 26th and 12 hours later on August 27th, she was summoned, accused, convicted, and coerced into writing a letter of termination? I seriously doubt the principals claim that he proceeded with the Schools Superintendents blessing. Due to this obvious breech of privacy on her behalf, most likely Facebook has systems in place via their server to basically trace the history of Ms. Paynes Facebook viewers and determine the perpetrator of this vindictive act. It will not take a lot to for a private investigator to reveal the identity of the party involved. FYI, her Facebook account has always been private and only her profile has been available for viewing. This was obviously an inside job by someone who desperately wanted to gain access to her Facebook page by misrepresenting themselves as her friend or hacking into her account which is entirely possible just as easily as someone can steal ones identity. Therefore, this individual should be subject to legal action as well for the damages that they have caused Ms. Payne, as well as the principal personally, and the Barrow County School System if the Superintendent was in any way involved in this horrific situation.
It is my assumption that after Ms. Paynes two year tenure of employment, there would have been a precedence of having given her warning or other disciplinary action for some previous inappropriate behavior as well as documentation via unsatisfactory performance appraisals giving just cause that she was not competent as a high school English teacher based upon professional standards for that position and evidence that Ms. Payne has signed off on these disciplinary actions or performance appraisals that support such action. Not to mention, the principal will have to provide his justification for not informing her of her legal right to choose suspension and appeal her dismissal based upon his accusations. Unless there are overriding factors that have not been addressed, his harassment and treats leading up to forcing her to write her own letter of resignation within minutes of accusations of wrongful acts in his opinion should be recommended as grounds for the principals subsequent dismissal a.k.a. firing from his position as Apalachee High School principal.
Who would have ever considered that if you fail to maintain amorphous professional standards of conduct in your free time in your private life, you could lose your job?…
An anonymous supporter of Ms. Ashley Payne
Girl
November 12th, 2009
1:20 am
I would be willing to bet that a majority of the parents of the students at the HIGH SCHOOL drink wine and/or beer in front of their children. I would also be willing to bet that these HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS have heard worse language and seen worse images on public television, or even on some videos they are able to watch in class. It is absolutely ridiculous for this woman to be forced into resigning. She was hired to be a teacher, not a saint.
anonymous supporter of Ashley
November 12th, 2009
1:21 am
How is it that the President of our Country, Obama, can admit that he took illegal drugs as a teenager and use profanity, describing the entertainer, Kanye West, as a ‘jack ass’ when commenting on the behavior of an entertainer that was leaked to the media a few weeks ago (which are both acts that are extremely morally and ethically objectionable) and not get ‘fired’ a.k.a impeached, yet, an innocent, young woman of legal age photographed with beverages in both hands, in a foreign country far away from possibility that her students could witness, and during summer break fall subject to such scrutiny and judgment? If this is fair, Obama should be tried and executed. Maybe it is that he is ABOVE the law or we have been forced to drink too much of his Kool Aid. And what about Clintons horrendous indescretions with Lewinsky. Shameful isnt it?…but we couldnt get rid of HIM.
First of all, I am responding with an insiders view to this situation, whereas, I am one of dozens of individuals, ie family, friends, and professional colleagues alike, that support Ashley Payne and have dedicated ourselves to her cause. Ashley is exceptionally intelligent, 07 Magna Cum Laude graduate from UGA, and has been brought up with impeccable ethical and moral standards based upon her Christian beliefs. She was raised by two amazing, conservative grandparents from the age of 18 months. Three days prior to her dismissal/resignation, her grandmother, who cared for her as her own mother, experienced a massive stroke and was hospitalized in Athens. Needless to say, Ashley was already under a tremendous amount of stress before she was confronted by the principal with his accusations and coercion to force her to resign. Regardless of her prior knowledge of any rights or responsibilities that she had contractually, the trauma and anxiety surrounding her grandmothers health issues were overriding factors that compounded this devastating scenario. I doubt that anyone in the same situation could possibly recall any prior knowledge of disciplinary procedures contained in a contract that they had been given over 2 years ago. She was literally blind sighted by his accusations and given the degree of extreme duress that she experienced under these circumstances, she would have probably stood in front of a firing squad if he forced her to. FYI, after weeks of fighting for her life after multiple strokes, her grandmother passed away on September 24th.
The supposedly incriminating snapshot, taken off of school grounds and during summer break is innocuous, yet has surely lead to life altering consequences for this young woman not to mention the damages that she has to have incurred emotionally, professionally, and financially as a result of her unwarranted dismissal. Perhaps if he believes that he is above the law as this principal portrays himself and can coerce a teacher into writing her own letter of resignation under extreme duress, he should be intelligent enough not to mistakenly involve a witness, a.k.a. the asst. principal, that can attest/testify to the circumstances surrounding Ms. Payne being forced to do this. In addition, there was no immoral, unethical, illegal, or even Biblical basis or rationale for his decision to terminate her employment. At the time the photo was taken, she was out of the country far from the possibility that someone from the Barrow County community to witness any behavior that could be misconstrued as intolerable and was of legal age to consume any beverage of her choosing. Furthermore, the principal at the time of his misjudgment had no proof of the contents in the containers in question or that she was actually consuming the beverages pictured.
Whereas, the use of social networking websites is novel and does not have a long history of their safety and privacy, it is not above consideration that Ms. Payne was naïve and unassuming that she would be protected by the mechanisms that exist to protect the security of Facebook website users which is now the most popular and widely used social networking site. Supposedly, the complaint to the principal came from a supposedly concerned parent, however, such an individual would have had to have basically stalked Ms. Paynes Facebook account looking for some cause to have her employment terminated. I doubt that a parent would be so obsessed with revenge against a teacher that they would continuously monitor a teachers Facebook account. The principals refusal to disclose the anonymous identity of this concerned individual to Ms. Payne only left the principal more suspect and he will be forced to reveal the identity of the plaintiff in deposition or court which will ultimately lend itself to the truth about how this individual actually viewed the photo to begin with. The truth is that the only person that would have had such a vendetta against her could only have been the one who perpetrated this unimaginably unjust termination, i.e. the principal himself.
Perhaps the principal should have done his own due diligence contractually and legally before making such a drastic and impulsive decision. How is it possible that he stated that he consulted with the Superintendent regarding this issue prior to her dismissal, whereas, it is hard to believe that someone in that position would have encouraged or even permitted such action by firing this young woman without cautious deliberation regarding the legal ramifications that could result from such a decision? Realistically, how could a photo be posted on her account one evening on August 26th and 12 hours later on August 27th, she was summoned, accused, convicted, and coerced into writing a letter of termination? I seriously doubt the principals claim that he proceeded with the Schools Superintendents blessing. Due to this obvious breech of privacy on her behalf, most likely Facebook has systems in place via their server to basically trace the history of Ms. Paynes Facebook viewers and determine the perpetrator of this vindictive act. It will not take a lot to for a private investigator to reveal the identity of the party involved. FYI , her Facebook account has always been private and only her profile has been available for viewing. Therefore, this individual should be subject to legal action as well for the damages that they have caused Ms. Payne, as well as the principal personally, and the Barrow County School System if the Superintendent was in any way involved in this horrific situation.
It is my assumption that after Ms. Paynes two year tenure of employment, there would have been a precedence of having given her warning or other disciplinary action for some previous inappropriate behavior as well as documentation via unsatisfactory performance appraisals giving just cause that she was not competent as a high school English teacher based upon professional standards for that position and evidence that Ms. Payne has signed off on these disciplinary actions or performance appraisals that support such action. Not to mention, the principal will have to provide his justification for not informing her of her legal right to choose suspension and appeal her dismissal based upon his accusations. Unless there are overriding factors that have not been addressed, his harassment and treats leading up to forcing her to write her own letter of resignation within minutes of accusations of wrongful acts in his opinion should be recommended as grounds for the principals subsequent dismissal a.k.a. firing from his position as Apalachee High School principal.
Who would have ever considered that if you fail to maintain amorphous professional standards of conduct in your free time in your private life, you could lose your job?…
An anonymous supporter of Ms. Ashley Payne
Sarge
November 12th, 2009
2:49 am
Right or not, fair or not, different members of a society are held to different levels of expectation. When you signed up, Mr/Ms Teacher, you inherently agreed to be a standard bearer of deportment, an example to those who will look up to you. Right or not, fair or not…THAT’S THE WAY IT’S GOTTA BE!
Duane A. Webb
November 12th, 2009
3:58 am
Yet another unlawful restriction imposed. This is absolutely ridiculous that the residents of the State of Georgia have invested thousands in this teachers career – then the moron principle gets all tough-guy-do-gooder-proper-perfect-people-only-can-work-here and pulls some stupid stunt like this. This one should go to the Supreme Court so teachers can get their effing rights back and unconstitutional idiots pretending to be administrators can look elsewhere for work and get a taste of unfairness for themselves!
NA
November 12th, 2009
5:39 am
Under Georgia Law, teachers are required to abide by the Georgia Code of Ethics. This information is usually discussed during Pre Planning and teachers are required to sign an agreement that they will abide by such. Postings on ‘Facebook’ with pictures of the teacher drinking alcohol are a breach of that agreement and by such the school district has the right to ask for a resignation. As someone else commented Georgia educators are employed on yearly contracts… there is no tenure.
retired coach
November 12th, 2009
8:03 am
To in the know why would you assume that the position was needed for a coach? These men and women do ALL the work your wife (teacher) does then they do another job with their teams or squads. I promise you that more parents are watching exactly what is going on with the coach and the students than what is happening in English or Math. For you to make a statement like you did that the school must have needed a coach, very poor!!! Oh and I guess these coaches make way too much money!
Teacher disgusted
November 12th, 2009
8:17 am
We live in a society where teachers are the scapegoat for every social ill known to man. After what I’ve seen on the news, this teacher looks and acts like a normal, well-adjusted 24 year old young woman. If we wonder why there aren’t more people wanting to be teachers, maybe this is a clue. What other profession are people’s personal lives so highly scrutinized? Doctors, lawyers, etc. are also role models for our young people, but do we get all upset if we see them drinking a beer or a glass of wine? How many PARENTS drink beer and wine in front of their teens? Do any PARENTS use the “b” word or other “cuss words” in front of their children? Where has common sense gone??
Chris Lawyer
November 12th, 2009
8:47 am
I also am a teacher, but in Florida. If you look at the contracts that most teachers sign, there is a “morals” clause. And because that clause is in your contract, you CAN be fired for doing these things. So….I never allow myself to be photographed with adult beverages. Nor do I ever consume adult beverages anywhere that students are present. This means I can’t really go to the bar/club district in the town where I live. When I do want to engage in that sort of activity, I go to another town. It’s rough, but I like protecting my job.
As far as facebook goes….make your profile private…and make all of your picture albums “friends only”. If it isn’t “friends only”, if person B gets tagged in one of your pics, then anyone who is friends with person “B” will be able to see that pic as well.
Meme
November 12th, 2009
9:10 am
@LeglEgl – Of course you would disagree with me. When I became a teacher in 1973 and joined GAE, I was given a card. Printed on the back of the card was “Never resign! Talk to a GAE rep first.” I am sure that she was bullied into resigning, however, she gave in.
Michael Parker
November 12th, 2009
10:52 am
One of the most important things that young people need to know is this: RHIP – rank has its privileges. Adults get to drink, the under-aged do not. I always understood this. Dad could smoke and cuss, I could not. All adults who oversee the education of our youth must understand the importance of getting the youth to understand this.
LITTLE MAN
November 12th, 2009
10:56 am
Did she maybe turn down prior advances by the principal or one of his disciples? This sounds so fishey it stinks. Far too many of ur educators engage in illicit activities (sex, etc.) it is not funny. This principle and his cronies should be investigated. Come to South Georgia. You can surely get a job there and not live in fear of the holy-rollers.
BlackGirl
November 12th, 2009
12:56 pm
@NA, Atlanta Public Schools STILL provides tenure to all teachers, even those that are new! This is awful and she should be re-hired. It’s already tough finding quality, dedicated teachers. And not all school systems discuss Facebook pages during pre-planning. I keep reading that and it’s not done in all school systems.
Sarah
November 12th, 2009
1:00 pm
You are a LITTLE MAN if that is the way you think. Are jobs in your industry determined by who sleeps with whom? If they are, I am sorry for you. Yes, there is some misconduct but that happens in every field. Don’t try to make it sound like teacher exchange jobs for sex.
Teachers Beware: Facebook May Cause Firing — AriWriter
November 12th, 2009
3:08 pm
[...] There are 87 reader comments and counting below her story in the AJC. Have a look. [...]
Brian
November 12th, 2009
6:19 pm
Ok I have to throw my two cents in too… she didn’t “use” the “B” word.. she didn’t refer to anyone as that. She wasn’t calling someone a name. She was STATING THE NAME OF A GAME/EVENT SHE WAS ATTENDING THAT NIGHT! The game is called Crazy Bitch Bingo. Someone else created it and named it. She just attended. (But even if she did call someone that, who cares??)
Old fart
November 12th, 2009
6:55 pm
She resigned–end of story. I hope she has a lawyer who took this case on contingency, otherwise she is going to easily spend $10-$15K and she will get summarily bounced out of court.
She signed a contract with a clause about improper internet postings that can result in dismissal. Very clear policy.
I’m not saying this whole deal doesn’t stink to high heavens–it does. She just doesn’t have a legal leg to stand on.
Move on and don’t be so naive.
cheryl
November 12th, 2009
8:03 pm
This is the most ridiculous excuse for dismissal I ever seen. It’s not like she was having sex with a student or school officials and then posted for all to see. This is her private time and could do what she feels. I didn’t know it was illegal to take pics of yourself holding alcohol and using certain type of language. Give her back her job. This action was not warranted. I have seen worse.
Jim
November 12th, 2009
8:22 pm
According to the story on CNN her Facebook page is private, as in, nobody is supposed to be able to see it except her invited friends. So any argument that she deserves to be punished for failing to set a proper example is irrelevant in my opinion.
Is it reasonable for an employer to demand someone’s privacy, in addition to their labor?
valerie
November 12th, 2009
10:16 pm
Wow, this is really sad, in fact dumb. I hope this woman gets her job back quickly and that principle needs to be delt with legally. I also agree that she was pressured to resign
JIM D
November 13th, 2009
10:41 am
Are y’all telling me I could stand to gain from all those old pics of teacher friends that are about to retire?
Just Me
November 13th, 2009
2:21 pm
@ Old Fart- NOWHERE in my contract are ‘internet postings’ listed as a reason for firing. NOWHERE in my contract does it say I may not HOLD an alcoholic beverage. My understanding is she was NOT photographed with the glass/bottle to her lips, but HOLDING it. Who is to say it was even her beverage? And, truthfully, why should it matter? She broke no laws, she corrupted no one, she abused no one. Why do we care what she or any other teacher does on his/her time off? With that being said, teachers are human being hired to teach a subject or grade-level to students. We are not canonized saints, standard bearers of all that is holy and right with the world, or even hired to be moral compasses. We are hired to teach math and reading, maybe some social studies and science. Parents are the moral compasses for their children. Parents are the ones held to a higher standard to be role models. Parents are the ones who teach their children right from wrong. Teachers are just people who went to college to get a degree in education and who use that degree to earn a living. It is people like Old Fart who drive teachers to drink in the first place. Get over yourself and read your contract.
Just Me
November 13th, 2009
2:22 pm
left off the ’s’ on ‘beings’. Hope I don’t get fired for it…….
Barrow teacher done in by anonymous “parent” e-mail about her Facebook page | Get Schooled
November 13th, 2009
3:21 pm
[...] photos with alcohol and her use of the word “bitch.” She is now suing the system. (See earlier posting on this for more [...]
frank mcmanus
November 13th, 2009
4:11 pm
this is an example of what is wrong with our country, especially with school administrators, the lack of any common sense. Unless there is more to the story for the firing, these people must really be puritans, as if they are perfect. hope she wins her law suit
Barrow teacher done in by anonymous “parent” e-mail about her Facebook page » iThinkEducation.net!
November 13th, 2009
8:26 pm
[...] photos with alcohol and her use of the word “bitch.” She is now suing the system. (See earlier posting on this for more [...]
eurochick
November 14th, 2009
12:08 am
What a ridiculous arguement. I can’t believe (well, actually – I can) that our system would even allow a contract like that to be written and deemed legal. Since when did being a human become grounds for firing? I think that all teachers at that school and school district, should take a group picture of them holding a bottle of beer and wine while at Crazy B**** Bingo (which is hilariously fun btw), post it on FB and then see what the school district will do about it. I hope she’s a member of a teacher’s union and I wish her the best of luck!
W G
November 14th, 2009
10:00 am
Enter your comments here
W G
November 14th, 2009
10:04 am
I was a teacher in Barrow, the teachers are warned not to even drink in restaurants where students may be. Barrow county and all school systems warn their employees about pictures on the internet. Ashley made a bad decision to post the pics. I can certainly see where she felt pressured by the administration they where the type to bully teachers which is one reason I left their system. I hope she finds a job in a more progressive county.
Leadership Director
November 14th, 2009
11:11 am
The School Officials need to Grow Up , This is absurd . Get a life people .I am sure the teacher will prevail in court and the citizens will pick up the tab for the immature acts of the school administration.So , hold on to your wallets , turbulence ahead .[i.e. big legal bills ].
Florida, Facebook, and Teacher Conduct « Ethics Alarms
November 14th, 2009
3:17 pm
[...] For “in the nude,” substitute drinking, bar-hopping, playing drinking games, driving with one’s feet, having sex, shooting assault rifles, abusing animals, casino gambling, smoking pot, wearing Nazi uniforms, wearing blackface, attending Klan rallies, visiting topless bars, shopping at sex shops, reading Playboy or Hustler, cross-dressing, engaging in sado-masochist role-playing, and painting pictures using one’s butt. Clearly, Ashley Payne is at the mild end of this spectrum. It was a vacation, and she’s an adult. There is nothing wrong with having wine or beer with friends. Still, Payne knew that Barrow has a policy stating that employees can be investigated, disciplined and terminated for postings on Web sites that contain provocative photographs, sexually explicit messages, use of alcohol, drugs or anything students are not supposed to do. “Provocative” is subject to interpretation (nothing on Payne’s Facebook page could fairly be called “provocative”), but she clearly violated the policy by showing herself drinking alcoholic beverages. She was careless, and she was wrong. This is not, however, like the naked teacher (who had turned herself, more or less permanently, into a sex object through her nudity), or a teacher appearing drunk in a bar, or the unwed pregnant teacher at a Catholic school, who by her presence in the classroom endorses and validates conduct that the school is obligated to discourage. The students know that adults drink adult beverages, and that their teachers, being adults, probably do too. There is nothing in Payne’s photos that undermine her authority or endorse dangerous or wrongful conduct. She could have defused the matter with one brief statement to the class; she could even have used it to launch a useful and educational discussion. In short, the school over-reacted, talking suspension when, as in Haraughty’s case, all that was required was a warning. Payne’s defenders on-line, however, often miss the point and fall into various ethics misconceptions. It doesn’t matter that the conduct depicted in the photos was legal, for example. Many of the examples cited above, including butt-painting, are legal. Nudity is legal. The standard for teacher conduct that will come to the attention of students is a lot higher than merely “legal.” It is also no defense to say her conduct on the vacation is “personal.” When your personal conduct interferes with your ability to do your job well, it becomes professional conduct. Another “defense,” in essence the horrible “It’s not the worst thing!” excuse, appeared on an Atlanta blog: [...]
Bevete vino? Niente foto. Soprattutto su Facebook | Intravino
November 15th, 2009
3:08 am
[...] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Qui il testo della mail.] Tag: apalache high school, ashley payne, contea di barrow, facebook [...]
celeste
November 15th, 2009
4:29 pm
I am a Teacher with a facebook page that also has pictures of me with a drink in my hand. I give 110% in my classroom 5 days a week from 7:30 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon. I have never once been late to work and my students scores are outstanding. I am a 36 year old divorced mom and I enjoy a night out with my girlfriends and from time to time those nights can get a little wild to say the least!! I am outraged that this woman has been put through this. Her personal life has nothing to do with her professional life. She should only be held accountable for what happens in her classroom or for things that affect students. Anything else should be her business and her’s alone. I hope that she wins this suit and owns that school board.. Such a double standard, if this were a male Teacher there would be no issue at all..
b
November 15th, 2009
8:36 pm
Are you people in Georgia out of your damn minds???
Give this poor teacher back her job and stop shoving your noses into other people’s private lives. Sheesh.
Scott Pullman
November 16th, 2009
11:01 am
If she was naked or having sex, that might be a problem. But she had the profile page marked private – meaning she had to give you permission to see it.
She is over 21 and is allowed to drink alcohol. And .. my dog is female and therefore a bitch. It’s a word. Sticks and stones can break my bones.. remember?
Georgia is wrong – give the woman her job back.
Stacy Hendricks
November 17th, 2009
5:41 pm
This seems like a constitutional violation a civil liberty has been denied here. This lady had a drink she wasn’t doing beer bongs or drinking from a wine bottle and even if she was who has the right to decide that this lady of legal drinking age can’t live out her civil liberties.
The word B#&^*…….REALLY come on. I work with teenage mothers who call me on a daily basis a Bitch. This mother that has issues needs a life. She can block this poor ladies face book off her son’s face book and Get a life and something to really complain about. School shootings, the wages that state employee’s make for putting up with such non sense, soldiers going to war and not coming home, A president that has socialistic views about our world and what needs to be done. URGHHH!!!! This teacher needs to be compensated and Barrow County needs a reality check!!!!
Should a teacher's Facebook posts ruin her career? | Get Schooled « Blogging
November 18th, 2009
12:13 am
[...] View post: Should a teacher's Facebook posts ruin her career? | Get Schooled [...]
say what?
November 18th, 2009
1:39 am
No one should lose a job over FB unless they are doing some illegal stuff. I am friends with my nieces, nephews, and young cousins- their postings and those of their friends are sometimes inappropriate in my opinion. When does the school system suspend these kids for having poor taste in postings as students have a code of ethics and technology use contract to sign?
This was not a parent but a person with a vendetta who had access to her FB page, and if the school system wanted to know the truth, they could have an IT investigation completed with assistance from FB.
I have recently applied for positions, and some want employees who are social network savvy, so this technology is not going away. BOEs in the process of crafting new rules regarding social networking should not create policies that will cause most of the staff to be ineligible to work for them because you will only create more problems.
Rob
November 18th, 2009
5:16 am
RIDICULOUS!!!!!! The Teacher did nothing wrong!!! I hope after all the hoopla the principal has caused its his career!!! RICHARD Relentless get em!!! Maureen keep it in the publics face!!!