Confessions from the Couch

A Gag Order

This is the last time I will publicly say anything about my school district or school. I was informed today that teachers have a gag order from our Supe. We are not to speak to the media without prior approval from the district office. Release of information about the district, its students or disparaging comments to the media will result in termination. I think this applies to Internet/blogging, too! Although, I found the following are our union site: Our contract “does not regulate teachers” speech. This was listed in the minutes as being discussed by the union president. So, the rumors ARE true. Supe has threatened termination. Nevertheless, I need my job until May 2010. At that time, I will depart of my own free will…

Everything that I whine or complain about will be password protected and I must know you (frequent commenter/or have read your blog or I know your location) before I release that password to you. I will be reviewing my entire blog and password protecting any entries that deal with the specifics of my district. It’s that serious and you can take the Supe at his word!

random school comments | Miss Teacha | July 29, 2009 9:45 pm

15 Comments

By Eric, July 30, 2009 @ 5:18 am

Well, I hope you will send me the password. As for voluntarily leaving in May 2010, why then? I thought you already had tenure? Also…do you have any future districts you’re thinking of teaching in? And I’m sorry your district is experiencing such things.
By ricochet, July 30, 2009 @ 6:04 am

I would like the password. I understand the paranoia – it keeps me from blogging some of what I write for myself.
By Miss Teacha, July 30, 2009 @ 7:51 am

Eric, I do have tenure. And its what most people want! It is worth losing tenure to start all over again. I have some thoughts on where I’d like to go. I want to visit Dallas. I think I’ll go for fall break. I’ll be applying all over. I’m going to try to do suburbs outside of urban areas all over the country OR I might even do the other local district here.
By Beth, July 30, 2009 @ 8:01 am

I totally understand your position. I was treated to disciplinary action for vague comments on my blog about my school and boss. No names, no identifying info – but still treated badly. Best of luck to you!
By Athena, July 30, 2009 @ 10:26 am

I also need the password.

hugs! I don’t know what is going to happen in two weeks when we go back. I don’t even know what I am really teaching yet. Oh well. We’ll see.

Athena
By ECT, July 30, 2009 @ 8:58 pm

Password please
By John Spencer, July 30, 2009 @ 9:25 pm

I’d like your password, if you want to give it to me. My e-mail is socialvoice@gmail.com.

I’m not always a frequent commenter, but I am a frequent reader. I’ve been enjoying your blog posts for a long time!
By Morey, July 30, 2009 @ 9:51 pm

I feel for you. Our district is going through some tough times also and even with all the work done on the master schedule there are people complaining…from the supt to the teachers. Having spent many hours helping I decided that the next master schedule should be done by the three who are complaining and threatening grievance.

As for censorship…I have no idea where or what district you work for but isn’t there a saying somewhere that amounts to if they don’t have anything to hide what’s the problem? This is not right. I wish you could come out here and work with us! We aren’t urban but we have lots of challenges! And, all in all, it’s not a bad place to work. I love the majority of the people with whom I work.

Hang tough…breathe, you’ll make it. Remember, someone up there loves and cares about you…and the rest of us out here have you in our thoughts and/or prayers.

Password please…I know I just started commenting, but I really do enjoy your writing.
By M-Dawg, July 30, 2009 @ 11:38 pm

This situation just plain sucks! You do what is best for you though.

Luckily the folks at my current school are not that tech smart yet.

Hang in there. Stay strong. And keep blogging. I enjoy reading your blog.

And, I would like the password.
By Eileen, July 31, 2009 @ 7:08 am

I think this is a wise policy. I’ve always enjoyed reading your blog, but often worried about you with some of what you said publically. I blog under a pen name, and never even tag my entries with my country, as I know people here search by country name, too. No doubt a few people have discovered me, but I have never heard anything about it if they have.

Best of luck with this.

Eileen
Dedicated Elementary Teacher Overseas
By David, July 31, 2009 @ 2:03 pm

Definitely wise policy because your blog is read by LOTS of people and it’s been listed on numerous websites as a great teacher’s blog. It’s very public and it won’t take folks long to figure out what state and city you might be in – they can put two and two together pretty quickly.

Plus, I would not put it past a district to be checking out your internet logs and seeing where you are visiting. I don’t go to websites often at work for my personal gain/knowledge because I don’t have any time to do it. But, the district has every right to be looking and monitoring because it’s their network/computers.

Cheer up. It will all be ok. I always say this, “What district wants to get rid of a great teacher?” And you are one.
By Magical Mystical Teacher, July 31, 2009 @ 6:38 pm

Password protecting is the only way to go. Ask me—I have experience!
By HappyChyck, August 1, 2009 @ 10:17 am

Good way to CYA. Could I get a password, please?
By laniza, August 4, 2009 @ 7:44 pm

Wow! What craziness! If you’re still sharing it, I’d also like to get the password.
By Val, August 6, 2009 @ 2:36 pm

I’ve read your blog for a long time, and I would like to continue if you want to share your password.
This is kinda scary. I’m kind of rethinking my blog now…especially since I can’t figure out how to password it.