Have You Googled Your Teacher Lately?

Have You Googled Your Teacher Lately? 

Teachers' Use of Social Networking Sites

By Heather L. Carter, Teresa S. Foulger, and Ann Dutton Ewbank

This article outlined the realities of teachers participating in social networking websites like MySpace or Facebook, both benefits as well as negative consequences.  Many teachers use these tools to communicate and relate to students in a relevant way, as well as encouraging participation in events, clubs, class discussions, etc.  However, the article also gives examples of how creating a public identity online affects teachers.  These sites force teachers to toe the line between their personal lives and their public/professional identity.  Teachers have rights to free speech and displaying any pictures, posts, or comments like every else using networking sites but employers, students, and parents view those posts.  This poses the question: how should teachers use social networking sites?

As a student in the education program, it is important even now to be aware of my identity that is made public through social networking sites.  Carefully considering how the pictures, posts, blogs, comments, etc. that are on my profiles portray me is essential because they represent more than the person I am at home or with friends.  My public identity represents society's idea of what a teacher should be, it represents the leader and role model I am in and out of the classroom, and it represents the school that I work for.  The interactions I have with people online will affect both my personal and professional lives.  Those interactions will not relate directly to students like many examples in the reading, since Early Childhood Education incorporates birth through age eight.  Primarily parents, co-workers, and employers will all have access to and seek this information.  Each of those groups have a right to know who they are letting take charge of their child's education, who they work with every day, or who they are employing and allowing to represent their school. Creating and maintaining a public identity that will accurately portray me as responsible and professional is my responsibility in preparation for entering the professional world, especially in a leadership position.