Teacher suspended - who IBU?

[Wondermoomin]

Female teacher is suspended for an "inappropriate" selfie. I'm of the opinion that whilst it might be unprofessional, it's not a disciplinary offence. I can't help but think she's facing such harsh treatment because she's a woman. Would a male teacher bearing the same amount of skin (essentially just arms and legs) have been told they looked "sultry" and "provocative" and suspended? I don't think so

What do you think? Is the school being unreasonable?

http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/pupils-defend-milton-keynes-teacher-suspended-over-inappropriate-selfie-shot-1-7890876

This is the selfie in question.

I'm so confused, I really don't see the problem with it madness.

Seems a bit harsh but at the same time it is surely a lesson to everyone working in this sort of profession to make sure they have their social media secured.

I also don't see the problem, unless of course she had pupils as friends on social media (which she shouldn't have anyway).

I saw that and was rather taken aback. Surely teachers are allowed to have a life outside school? I wouldn't even say it was particularly unprofessional for a "private life" photo, it's a fairly typical selfie.

(I'm middle-aged if it matters.)

I can’t see what she is doing wrong at all. She isn’t drinking, smoking or showing her boobs etc. Is it because she is wearing short dress?

I would depend on whether or not she is friending her students on Fb. If she is, is provocative to be sharing with 16/17 year olds. In addition,if a teacher is young (male or female), and is posting pictures like this, or of boozy nights out, etc., then the privacy settings should be locked down so that the public can't see them.

British people are very unreasonable with social media, compared to other countries.

All teachers in this country should learn to use a nickname, and not put ANY private photo on any other setting than private.

The photo is not terribly appropriate for a teacher, the head should have had a word with her, but nothing else. Suspension is ludicrous. Is she being punished for being a woman, but also a pretty one?

The statement from the Head is interesting:

": “If we have any concerns about a staff member, this would not be discussed with students. We are aware of rumours but conclusions are being drawn which have no factual basis.”

Sounds as though there may be a lot more to it.

It's clearly fairly 'sexy'.

Not sure I agree with her being suspended or even having the photo mentioned beyond a quick chat should it be widely available amongst teachers and students.

Anyone saying this is a 'photo' would surely be being disingenuous?

Definitely shouldn't be a suspension issue (although I can hear my mother's voice saying 'sit with some decorum!')

Im too distracted by the grubby mirror

The line at the end of the article is quite telling - it implies that she was not suspended (just?) for the picture. I think there is probably a lot more going on here than it looks like.

If the photo is the only reason, this is ridiculous and the students are right. Is she not allowed to be sexy (it is quite a sexy picture) because she is a teacher? She isn't flashing.

IF the only reason is because of the photo, that is totally wrong and wouldn't get past employment tribunal.
She isn't showing or doing anything inappropriate.
If she had kids etc on social media and/or was posting things against her schools social media policy - that is another matter.

Its not a selfie though. It is a picture someone has taken of her pretending to take a selfie.

It depends where it was posted I guess and whether there is a backstory. Maybe in next week's episode she'll end up in a car crash outside her local pub.

I think it's an ill advised pic to have put up-but then I don't get the posed/pouty selfie from an adult.

Surely you're not supposed to have your Facebook so that your students can see & share your pics. Very unprofessional and I would think against school policy.

I agree there definitely has to be more to it, I can't believe she got suspended just for that photo alone. Even 'for a teacher' (what ever that means?) I don't see how the photo is in any way offensive/inappropriate.

There must be more to this than just the photograph.
It's not like she's a nine year old girl!

I think its the combination of short skirt, sitting legs apart, on a bed.

That said, I'm not a huge fan of the attitude that teachers can never have a life outside school, if someone gets utterly drunk or takes a sexy selfie on their own time I dont see how thats anyones business but theirs.

All she's taken a photo of her reflection in a mirror (I think) so it is a selfie.

The head's statement suggests there's more to it than a sultry Instagram though.

Che "Anyone saying this is a 'photo' would surely be being disingenuous?"
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Erm.. with no irony intended at all - what do you mean by that?

Allthebest "Its not a selfie though. It is a picture someone has taken of her pretending to take a selfie.*"

I'm not seeing that - how do you know? Am I being stupid here?

She's gorgeous, she's perfectly entitled to post this photo but.... salutory lesson on keeping your Facebook private.

Senior staff member should never dress down a member of staff in public.

She shouldn't be investigated for this photo.

Reading between the lines I don't think her suspension is anything to do with the photo. Not that it matters but she isn't a teacher I don't think, she's a pastoral support person ime theyre not qualified teachers.