Comments on: Intruding. In Public.

By: Mary Worrell

Mary Worrell — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 06:09:24 +0000

Thank you for sharing this, Bud. I’m saving this as a go-to bit of reading material for when I receive the same sort of responses you did from the counselor. It’s been hard for me to articulate to colleagues WHY we should be in those spaces. I spend so much time explaining it’s okay, it’s not dangerous, how teachers shouldn’t be presumed to be predators online…that I never get to the why. Great schools let students grow and be who they are while also knowing those students and caring for them and creating a net around which they can catch the students when need be. We can create such a net for children online as well. One that doesn’t constrict and trap them, but that’s wide enough to swoop in when they need us.
Mary Worrell´s last [type] ..Reading the gender binary

By: Lindsay Norwood

Lindsay Norwood — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:59:18 +0000

Your blog has been giving me so much to think about. You seem to have a solid and strong position on this topic and I think the distinction you make that others do not is that you see (as you mention other places on this blog) all online activity as public space. I think with so much fear about online predators and inappropriate relationships between teachers and students (I was unlucky enough to stumble upon one of my colleagues having an affair with a student), that no one wants to be accused or thought of as crossing any lines. I know I have mixed feelings about the subject so if this seems tangential or unclear—forgive, I’m working through it. I agree with you that it is best to think of our online voices as public ones. And I agree that we have to make sacrifices to do this. I guess my hiccup is this: I think there are different layers of public and I don’t know if I want my worlds colliding. For example, I’m an adult and I might want to do adult things, think about adult things, talk about those adult things. Now, when I say “adult” I just mean things that I don’t think are for the young people in my life. Maybe I would go to a bar and have a glass of wine with my husband. That’s public and adult; but I don’t think it’s really the sort of thing I want to share with my students. Or back to worlds colliding, I’m a mommy to some I know and I might want to talk about breast feeding or poopy diapers—but not with my freshmen boys. They just don’t need to think of me in that light. This has been a bit of a problem I’ve had with Facebook. I have different personas. I can’t decide if this is something that technology should accommodate. I’d like to have different friend circles. In physical public, I’m not the sort to stand with a megaphone announcing all of my business so why would I be that way online? Or should I change? Be more like you and Atticus Finch; be the same in my living room as I am on the street. I honestly don’t know but thanks for giving me a new angle to ponder. It feels like growth which is good no matter what I decide. To make one more comment on something you said, when it comes to gaining info about someone, especially a kid, in trouble, we must take care of each other.

By: Elisse Stuart

Elisse Stuart — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:32:09 +0000

I agree with you. Intrude indeed.
In the nine years I have worked in the public school system, there have been several suicides during that time. I wonder if things might have been different if someone had made the student “their business.”
ES

By: Laura Deisley

Laura Deisley — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:21:30 +0000

“Read like a poem to me.” You are so right, David.

Bud, this post is one of the reasons why I love your voice in the blogosphere, and why I am happy to know you “f2f” as well. It is this kind of caring, thoughtful, wise and confident–though always questioning/listening/learning– approach that makes you and your voice so vital.
.-= Laura Deisley´s last blog ..What Does It Mean To Be Well Educated? =-.

By: Heidi Chaves

Heidi Chaves — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:00:56 +0000

Thank you for this articulate post. You have expressed so much of how I view this topic.

As I see it, teachers must first join the online community. Too many don’t. They must learn the elements of digital citizenship and collaborative learning first hand. But as teachers we have a responsibility to be more. We must be a person of character whether in person or online.

As you said: “It is often simpler to disengage and to not know what happens in the world where our students will spend 85% of their time. But it’s not right.” I agree, it is not right. Yes, there will be awkward conversations, tough decisions and critical thinking ahead but our students need us to guide them in their maturing as much as their mastery of content.

By: Brendan Murphy

Brendan Murphy — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:52:35 +0000

Bud,

Thanks for the excellent post. I don’t understand why educators are afraid of their students. Isn’t it necessary to get to know our students to understand how best to educate them?

Besides there is no law saying we have to read everything a student publishes just because we follow them.

By: David Truss

David Truss — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:22:02 +0000

Bud,
This post read like a wonderful poem to me. I read it and I felt it.
It isn’t an intrusion when it comes from a place of caring. We need more teachers like you in this world.
Thank you!
.-= David Truss´s last blog ..Openness and Acceptance, Mr Deng and his Allegories of Windows, Flies and Coloured Cats =-.

By: Angela Stockman

Angela Stockman — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:55:16 +0000

I’m thinking of the first years that I did journal writing with my students–I can’t tell you how many people discouraged me from doing this for precisely the same reasons you mention here. I’ve been struggling with the notion of friending or following kids in these spaces for some time now, Bud. This is the first time I feel compelled to rethink my perspectives a bit.

Here is what I’m realizing though– I am not afraid to know kids in these ways. I’m afraid that those I call upon for support may not respond the way that kids need them to. The same voice that tells us not to engage with kids in these spaces is the same voice that told us not to journal with kids is the same voice that remains silent in the face of the very real problems that students are confronting. If we can keep kids quiet and if we can manage their behavior in our presence, we don’t have to see what’s really going on beneath the surface or deal with the complexity of all of that.

This is a brave and compelling post, about something that truly matters. Thanks for giving me a lot to think about.
.-= Angela Stockman´s last blog ..Coaching Light vs. Coaching Heavy: New Perspectives from Jim Knight =-.

By: TheresaG

TheresaG — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:16:39 +0000

This post was incredibly well done and a great piece to share with teachers and administrators -which I plan to do each and every time this topic comes up. We can never forget that our students are people with lives outside of school and that we still care about them when they leave the safety of our buildings. Thank you for reminding me what is important.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:27:52 +0000

Hmm…yes, wow. Between this and the please block post, I’ve got a lot to think about. I’ll be forwarding these on. Thank you for the compassionate, thought-provoking posts.