WI: Teacher fired over photo of herself with rifle

[Liberty]

It really must suck being a teacher. being able to be fired for something like this. Not allowed to any public presence or any controversial opinions. Its as if low pay isn't enough of a deterent.

[03Lightningrocks]

I just emailed my wife this story and we decided she should have no coworkers as friends on Facebook. She already made that decision with students (pretty easy call, IMO). To prevent them from being offended if this requires de-friending, I said we can tell people that we will not link with coworkers, students (in her case), or clients (in my case) while we have a professional relationship with them.

Her friends at work might be trustworthy, but you never know who their friends are.

Better yet:

Don't put anything online that you would not want your children or your mother to see...

Why put anything online about your personal life? Seems odd to me.

[Oldgringo]

It really must suck being a teacher. being able to be fired for something like this. Not allowed to any public presence or any controversial opinions. Its as if low pay isn't enough of a deterent.

Look at the retirement teachers work toward.

[atxgun]

This is why I am very careful about letting anyone who can fire me know that I have anything to do with firearms.

I used to be like this. But in the end I felt like I was having to go out of my way to hide a hobby that I enjoy and is perfectly legal. Now I don't go around work talking about guns all day but I'm more willing to talk on the subject if it arises. I've also put some gun related pictures on my facebook.

In the end, if they want to fire me b/c of some irrational fear or what ever their complex is have at -- I don't want to work for them anyway if that is the case.

[atxgun]

Better yet:

Don't put anything online that you would not want your children or your mother to see...

I'm sure this teacher would have no problems with her entire family seeing the picture -- in fact i'd be surprised if they hadn't.

[seamusTX]

Remember the good ole days when teachers were fired for sleeping with their students?

Sleeping wasn't the problem. It was what they did when they were awake.

- Jim

[stevie_d_64]

My concern about this is the fact that my wife already has her Texas CHL and a current Utah permit...

She is about to complete her certification (mid May '09) to teach here in the state of Texas...There will be a background check done and an investigation the likes and parallel of a criminal investigation (in my opinion)...They will look everywhere they can, and it will be on her record that can and will be reviewed by everyone that has a say so in her prospective employment (hiring) in her new career...

I do not believe she will have to have a Facebook or other so-called social networking website page to be scrutinized for her "private" credentials she has obtained over the years...

Yes, I do understand that in Texas, and I believe in Utah, those licenses are protected from public review and disclosure, but in this investigation I believe they will be revealed and a notation made in her record, thru this investigation...

I believe she will be overly scrutinized and hampered by this revelation, and it will hurt her chances for employment...

Since I believe the background check is performed by law enforcement for the state's education system, there is no way (and no reason) they (investigators) will filter that particular information and leave it out of the report...

If there are any teachers/administrators out there who may be able to elaborate on this and correct me if I am wrong, that would be appreciated...

Educational bureaucracies, I feel, tend to lean towards a pro gun-control attitude, and anyone in their ranks, or trying to break into the teaching career are looked at a little negatively if they obtain, or show pro-Second Amendment tendencies...

Proof is right here in this story...

[KRM45]

I'm still trying to figure out the fascination with going on Face Book or My Space and bareing your whole life to strangers. That's asking for a hassle. The less anyone knows about me the better I like it..

I don't think I'm paranoid, but I never really hear anything good come out of these sites...

[atxgun]

I don't think I'm paranoid, but I never really hear anything good come out of these sites...

Like most everything else unless something terribly horrible happens it is usually not considered newsworthy.

Here's one though:

Sane MySpace user prevents Webcam suicide

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10156887-71.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MrsFosforos]

I just emailed my wife this story and we decided she should have no coworkers as friends on Facebook. She already made that decision with students (pretty easy call, IMO). To prevent them from being offended if this requires de-friending, I said we can tell people that we will not link with coworkers, students (in her case), or clients (in my case) while we have a professional relationship with them.

Her friends at work might be trustworthy, but you never know who their friends are.

Better yet:

Don't put anything online that you would not want your children or your mother to see...

Why put anything online about your personal life? Seems odd to me.

The thing is -- you don't have to go to Facebook or mySpace to post information about your personal life. By posting HERE (or any online message board) and expressing your opinions --> you are publically presenting a virtual picture of who you are and what you represent. The internet makes the world a smaller place.

[seamusTX]

My concern about this is the fact that my wife already has her Texas CHL and a current Utah permit...

She is about to complete her certification (mid May '09) to teach here in the state of Texas...

In the first place, several teachers on this forum have CHLs and have had no problem at work.

I don't know exactly what the background check for teachers comprises, but I'm guessing it would be for arrests, convictions, and mental health problems. There's no reason to check whether the applicant has a license to do anything that is perfectly legal, whether it is a pilot or plumber license or CHL.

Also, GC 411.192 states that the CHL holder will be informed of any queries of his or her CHL status.

- Jim

[RetiredE9]

I'm still trying to figure out the fascination with going on Face Book or My Space and bareing your whole life to strangers. That's asking for a hassle. The less anyone knows about me the better I like it..

I think if you are of a certain age (I'm 60) then you are smart enough not to get involved with these online communities. I got an invite to join someone's face book page that I hadn't seen or heard of since 6th grade. There was a reason for that. I didn't like her then and nothing has occurred in the intervening years to cause me to change my mind; Idiot.

[atxgun]

I'm still trying to figure out the fascination with going on Face Book or My Space and bareing your whole life to strangers. That's asking for a hassle. The less anyone knows about me the better I like it..

I think if you are of a certain age (I'm 60) then you are smart enough not to get involved with these online communities. I got an invite to join someone's face book page that I hadn't seen or heard of since 6th grade. There was a reason for that. I didn't like her then and nothing has occurred in the intervening years to cause me to change my mind; Idiot.

I think it really is a generational thing. There is nothing inherently wrong with FB or MS. It really can be a great way to keep in touch with casual acquaintances that you generally wouldn't call up on the phone. Perhaps some would say "Well if they aren't someone I would call up on the phone why would I care what they're up to". To that I would revert to my initial statement in this comment.

In some ways these sites complement the technological based society we have. For example, you loose you cell phone and consequently everyone's number. Since many don't keep hard copy address books and are not in the habit of being forced to memorize numbers, you can then easily cull the numbers off the profiles that choose to post them or put out a Call-for-numbers bulletin.

[03Lightningrocks]

The thing is -- you don't have to go to Facebook or mySpace to post information about your personal life. By posting HERE (or any online message board) and expressing your opinions --> you are publically presenting a virtual picture of who you are and what you represent. The internet makes the world a smaller place.

Aint that the truth! I try to be careful what I post on the few forums I post on. No doubt about it though. If a person was to track me, they would know I am into guns, fast trucks and stock trading. I own my business so I am safe from employer persecution for my hobbies. The main thing I try not to do is get into details about when or if I am out of town...or what kind of "toys" I have at home. Other things like when and what time I plan to be places...information like that can get you into trouble with stalkers. Some of the face books folks are giving moment by moment accounts of their daily activities...it's just asking for trouble in my opinion.

[03Lightningrocks]

I think if you are of a certain age (I'm 60) then you are smart enough not to get involved with these online communities. I got an invite to join someone's face book page that I hadn't seen or heard of since 6th grade. There was a reason for that. I didn't like her then and nothing has occurred in the intervening years to cause me to change my mind; Idiot.

LOL...maybe she has gotten cooler with age. Then again, maybe she has perfected being an idiot over the years.