Writing a blog may seem like a harmless past time. But for teachers, expressing your opinions in public can sometimes get you fired. It seems like we get to teach about the first amendment and free speech, but we don't always get to use it. Teachers often avoid expressing opinions about society, religion and politics to keep our jobs. This includes discussing ideas on public forums as a teacher in Philidelphia recently found.
Elizabeth Collins writes a blog about being a teacher, something she clearly has a passion about. Unfortunately, some people objected to what she wrote on her blog and she has lost her job. Now, she taught at a private school which does have the right to fire her, but it is shockingly hypocritical to teach kids about free speech and then fire a teacher because someone did like what she had to say.
Guess what, this happens in North Carolina. A middle school science teacher was suspended from her job for complaining about her job on her Facebook page. The students objected to her lessons about evolution and proceeded to lash out at her throughout the year. She wrote a status that drew the attention of her friends. Once again, the parents objected to what was written and the administration suspended her. There is a Facebook page in support of Melissa Hussain, which I was proud to join.
While I am excited about writing on a blog, I am aware of the very real, very hypocritical issues involved. The freedom of expression is an important right, one I hope we all get to enjoy.
No comments:
Post a Comment