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• Elona Hartjes, MEd (Candidate), Ontario Certified Teacher

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Yes, school starts in a little more than two weeks and just like so many other teachers I’m starting to think (reluctantly ) about preparing for the new school year. Usually I go into school the week before school starts and ready the classroom, organize the supplies I’ll need and photocopy the handouts for the first few days. I’m going to do that but this year I’m also making a conscious effort to protect myself from teacher cyberbullying. I’ve seen and heard all kinds of horror stories about teacher cyberbullying. You probably have too.

Teacher cyberbullying is the deliberate use of information and communication technologies by students, parents, teachers, administrators etc. with the intention of insulting a teacher or teachers, harming reputations, spreading hate or discrimination based on race, colour, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or disability.

How am I going to protect myself from cyberbullying? I’m going to know the law, the code of professional ethics, my school board’s policies, and I’m going to follow them.

I know that teacher cyberbullying is against the law and can have serious consequences for the bully.

Much of my class takes place in cyberspace. I use information and communication technologies as teaching tools for myself and learning tools for my students. I don’t want my students to misuse these tools and demonstrate a lack of respect for anyone, me included. The new technology is really cool but it is a double edged sword. The cameras in cell phones for example can be  used to complete assignments or it can be used for teacher cyberbullying.

Last semester I overheard students  laughing and reminiscing about how a couple of grades ago they’ve deliberately provoked their teacher Mr. Johnston (not his real name)  and then filmed Mr. Johnstones’ reaction. Students know how to push teachers buttons, and since teachers are only human  just like everyone else, they can  loose it at times.  The students shared the video with other students and poor Mr. Johnston was not even aware of it, but here it is two years later and the students are still laughing about provoking Mr. Johnston and filming his reaction, the reaction they were hoping to get. Sometimes these videos end up on YouTube .  There’s even a term for that kind of bullying: you’ve been YouTubed.

Last year, cell phones were banned in school.  This year,  allowing cell phones in the classroom is at the discretion of the teacher.   I’m of mixed minds.  I’m going to  discuss a cell phone policy in my class with my students .  The discussion will be centred around respect for the learning environment and respect for people in the class, including me. Have you had a discussion like this. I’d love to hear how it wen,t and what the outcome was.

Cameras in cell phones are a concern but so are emails. I correspond with parents and students by email. I don’t want to say something in an email in a mindless moment that could cause me grief down the road. I don’t want to be inappropriate even if it is unintentional. So I intend to always

• maintain exemplary professional standards whenever I send a work related email to anyone,
• use a professional voice when communicating with anyone,
• keep a copy of all my emails,
• use a signature that includes my name, my work assignment, and my school,

I will not

• share any passwords with students or colleagues,
• leave my computer on when I’m not at it,
• use my home computer to send any work related emails to parents or students,
• use any cyberspeak ( lol, u, btw),
• post criticism of students, parents, colleagues, administrators,
• allow pictures to be taken and posted without knowing that appropriate safeguards are in place.

I realize despite my best efforts I could still be a victim of teacher cyberbullying.  The thought of it makes me shudder. Sometimes there’s not much I can do about it because teacher cyberbullying has moved out of the classroom and school environment.  Students can use a site called Rate Your Teacher to say vicious things anonymously about teachers.  Teachers don’t even know who is bullying them.  Kids are protected by their anonymity. I’ve talked  with  teachers who were victims of teacher cyberbullying on Rate Your Teacher.  Believe me, they were extremely upset and stressed about the situation because Rate Your Teacher wasn’t willing to remove the comments.  I’m told that sometimes Rate Your Teacher does remove the comments, but I personally don’t know of this happening.

What can I do if I’m a victim of teacher cyberbullying?  I can defend myself  by

• making copies of all messages/web postings or other related data including the URL,
• telling the sender to stop the behaviour and tell the sender such conduct is inappropriate and unacceptable,
• not  discussing the situation beyond tell the sender to stop becasue the conduct is inappropriate and unacceptable,
• seeking  support from my employer and local teachers’ federation,
• advising  My Occupational Health and Safety Committee if my safety is threatened,
• get in touch with my federation if things aren’t resolved effectively or if I need more information

It seems that a teacher’s life is getting more and more complicated.  It’s not just about the 3 “R’s” anymore.

Do you have any things to share about teacher cyberbullying?  I’d love to hear how you plan to protect yourself or deal with it if you are a victim.  Have you been a victim of cyberbullying?

Resource:

Cybersafety- important information for OSSTF/FEESO members

TheDeliciousLife

I can’t believe I’ve been writing my blog for five years now.  The time has passed so quickly. When I first started to write Teachers at Risk, I didn’t really know what to expect or what I was going to say beyond a few posts. I wouldn’t have even started blogging if it wasn’t for my son and daughter, Chris and Lisa. They encouraged me to start blogging and helped me get started and when I ran into trouble technically, which was quite often in those early days. Lisa was especially patient with me at the beginning. For that matter, she still is. My learning curve was very steep. Thankfully, blogging has become much more user friendly now than when I started.

I guess one of the reasons I started the blog was because I wanted to mentor other teachers. Much to my delight, other teachers started to mentor me by leaving comments sharing their experiences and insights  in response to what I’d written. I’m exceedingly grateful for any comments readers take the time to leave even when the comments challenge what I’ve said. I see myself as a life-long learner and  comments of all sorts facilitate that. I’d like to thank all of you who have left a comment on my blog or sent it to me my emailed.

I have to thank Chris for giving me the idea for the name for my blog. I was talking about at-risk students, and all I was trying to do to help them and Chris said something to the effect that I was always talking about students at-risk and what about teachers. They were at risk, too. Who was helping them. That was it. Teachers at Risk became the name for my blog.

I have to admit I wondered how people would find my blog to read it after I clicked on the publish button. Chris told me they would. I just had to be a bit patient. He was right. I can remember being so excited when the first 80 people visited my blog. This past year, over 120 000 people visited my blog. I find that amazing.  I mean I write about teaching students who are at-risk  academically. It’s  a very narrow niche  and yet…

I also used to worry about making errors in my posts.  I used to agonized over punctuation and grammar. Then one day I just decided that I’m human and if I make an error, so be it.  That decision was so liberating. I think people can and do see past any errors in punctuation or grammar I might make.  I’ve only had one person comment that  I was setting a bad example by making an error.  What can I say.  I’m not perfect.

I’ve written here before about all the exciting things that have happened to me since I started writing my blog. I wonder what the future will bring.  I can hardly wait.  Please feel free to leave a comment.  I love the insights people share.

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• Dislcaimer

  These are my personal views and not those of my employer.