MySpace cost you your teaching career?

I know that one segment of my readers happens to be teachers. I found this article interesting. The basic premise is that the Ohio Education Association strongly encourages teachers not to participate in social networking sites like Facebook or MySpace.

The reason: It could be used against you should disciplinary hearings occur for other reasons. Also, should you post anything "unprofessional," that could be the impetus for disciplinary action.

Now, I know that teachers play under different rules even during their non-teaching times. I think many folks would assert that this is too much intrusion into a teacher's private life. And they would be right.

But...

Being right and winning are two very different things. Interestingly, when I talk with students, I tell them the same thing. Do you think that admissions officer is Googling your name to see what you have been up to? Hard to know, but your private life has all of a sudden become very public.

If you must use those types of sites, whether you are a teacher or a student, I highly encourage you to do so anonymously.