School and Community Winter 2024

Tips for Teachers

At some point in your career, a parent is likely going to complain about you on social media. It’s frustrating to see a negative statement or accusation just sitting out there on the internet for the world to see, often without full context. When this happens, it’s important to take a deep breath and slowly work towards resolving the problem. You should not comment on the post or interact with the parent on social media once something like this has happened.

Solving Real Life Problems… in Real Life When somebody complains about you online, the first step is to contact your school administration. Work with your school to figure out how to resolve this problem with the parents. Hopefully, once the problem is resolved in real life, they will take the post down. In more serious situations, reporting the post to the social media platform and other proactive steps may need to be taken. You will need to work with the MSTA Legal Services Department based on your unique situation. Your Social Media Activity Be careful what you post online and be aware of who can and cannot see the content you post. Yes, you have 1 st amendment rights, but the 1 st amendment doesn’t provide you 100% protection when it comes to your job. Your school is allowed to discipline you if your speech, whether in or outside the classroom, is causing problems with your job. That’s why it’s important to be aware of where you are in the state of Missouri and who you are talking to.

Who You Connect With If you are going to be “Facebook friends” with parents, co-workers, former students, community members and others within the school community, it’s important that your social media page is professional. Relationships are obviously one of the most important aspects of education, but you are always seen as the teacher. Even as you build lifelong friendships with parents or whoever else, it’s important to be mindful of your role in the situation. If you need help with a problem at school or have a question about an issue, don’t hesitate to contact your MSTA Member Service Coordinator. Further, if you have a legal question or situation that needs to be addressed, please reach out to the MSTA Legal Services Department directly at 866-343-6186. Remember - you do not have to go through your CTA President or Building Representative before contacting an MSTA Staff Member. We always encourage you to reach out directly to your MSC or the Legal Department if you need assistance.

Contact Info: Phone: 866-343-6186 email: legalservices@msta.org

Legal Services

S&C WINTER 2024 | 27