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

But che don't you think its only 'sexy' because she is an attractive young woman?
If I took a photo like that I would just look like a middle aged woman in a frock, sitting on her bed.
No one would say it was 'sexy'

My heart doesn't tend to bleed for good looking people but in this case I think its pretty unfair.

But I really doubt that the photo is the only reason for the suspension.

I agree storm.

If she was lying on the bed naked legs akimbo then I'd maybe see their point but it's a pretty tame, fairly usual photo.

The head teacher's statement suggests that this isn't the reason for the suspension. However, if it turns out that it is, it would absolutely fucking outrageous, and definitely sex discrimination. You might find the picture "sexy" because she's an attractive young woman who happens to be wearing shorts or a short dress or whatever it is, but that's no reflection on her or her professional conduct and she certainly shouldn't be being punished at work because people find her "sexy" whilst fully clothed in a photograph on her private FB account.

Maybe there's more to it, such as not having her privacy settings on, or friending pupils or parents, or something totally unrelated to what's being reported. However if it is as reported then it's completely unacceptable sexist treatment.

Yes re-reading I wonder what the head's comments about rumours and not discussing with students etc were referring to. It's also hard to imagine how two people could talk for 8 minutes about a single picture when the more powerful of the two people has already decided that they will be getting the other one suspended and escorted off the premise. Perhaps there is more to it. But based on the information available, I think it's overly harsh and I think it's because she's an attractive woman that she's been treated so harshly.

A female member of staff in this area made Facebook friends with her male pupils and showed them a photo of her in a low cut top asking what they thought of her boobs. They made her Vice Principal. (the management of the school, not the boys!)

This example was then used in teacher training about inappropriate internet and it was in all the papers (with chest pictures) but doesn't seem to have affected her teaching career!

Poor judgement on her part. She needs to learn the privacy settings.

Arguably even if someone thinks it's provocative, it's not indecent in any way which surely is where the line would be drawn.

As PP have said there could be more to it.

I can't believe it's just about the picture?!

I'm looking over my own social media now, am I going to get suspended for the photos of me from 10 years ago on nights out in skimpy clothes just because I'm a teacher?

That pictute alone. No chance of it beinh the full reason.

The schools response suggest theres more to it.

I can believe it's about the picture. Not that it necessarily is, but it could be. Some schools are that petty.

Wondermoomin

It's an extremely sexual photograph. Legs apart. Hair (very deliberately) slightly messy. Short skirt. Full lips. Sitting on a bed.

I'm not judging her for that - well, okay. I am. I wish I had her looks. In that pose, you barely even notice her massive nose!

But che don't you think its only 'sexy' because she is an attractive young woman?

Yes. I do. It would be inappropriate if I posted it but not nearly as sexy.

Every adjective I think of to describe this photo is one you wouldn't want associated with a teacher: sultry, sexy, alluring,.

As I said, I'm not sure there should be any formal discipline but given this image and someone like Miss Honey from Matilda, who would you want as a teacher for your child?

I would want the one who was better at their job rather than judging them based on photos that are quite clearly taken in their personal time. For all we know this woman could be the most miss honey-esque person in the world when in her teaching/pastoral role.

How many posters just returned to the pic to inspect her 'massive nose'?

Op, Allthe was suggesting this isn't a selfie. To my eye, either there are smears on the lens of the camera the photographer is using, or (more likely) there are smears on the mirror Miss is taking a photo of herself in. If that makes sense

Actually scrap the lens theory - it's definitely a mirror. Or a filter to make it look like a reflection in a mirror (if such a thing exists).

It is a sexually provocative pose I think, but not slutty. But if her pictures were locked down to friends only it wouldn't be an issue would it.

I can't actually get over a modern world where a 'row ensues' in a private office and a load of pupils get out their phones and record for 8 minutes. Mob mentality.

Something rotten in that state of Denmark...

Never have understood the point of photos like that on social media, but I'm old.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with it, however, so there must be more to it.

Its a reflection through a (somewhat marked) mirror - so yes, a selfie.

Its not the type of photo she should have on an open public social media account, if a teacher. But was it an open account? Or does she have students or their parents on her account? Or, how have others seen it?

As part of my role at school I offer, annually, to go through the social media of our teaching and support staff using a specially set up account and check what is visible to the general public, and friends of friends. Its always a useful procedure as it is easy to hit the odd wrong setting on a photograph or post. We hoo ave a social media policy for our staff but we also accept that staff are allowed social media and to have a social life away from school - but we do expect staff to be sensible about what they do and don't post publicly.

However, there is no way we'd have a teacher on disciplinary over one such image. It has to be something more, as the HT's statement suggests.

I bet a man could take a selfie wearing shorts and a vest top, and manspreading, and that would be perfectly fine. I don't see anything wrong with it. She's young and pretty, and teachers are still people with their own lives. If she'd been wearing a bra and knickers, that would've been a different matter.

In that pose, you barely even notice her massive nose

So. Not only does she have the effrontery to take a picture of her 'full lips', she doesn't feel the need not to photograph her big nose, which gives you carte blanche to judge her because...

Seriously, what a nasty little comment.

Done a bit of digging. There are other photos : quite a lot. Objectively, there are photos with more flesh. One could still argue this is not inappropriate. But (and I don't think she is a teacher either, but works in pastoral care guiding and advising young people daily) ,a nd I may sound po faced , I'm not sure this is particularly positive role modelling and I am busily inferring that she may have boundary issues with some students...

The comments form some male Twitter users about the photos are somewhat revealing of the type of attitude some young men in the actual school might express when they see the photos and that to me is somewhat troubling...

I suppose everyone's noticed that her FB account has been stripped of ... well, pretty much everything really?

Only an issue if she's fb friends with students (big Nope to that).

Otherwise, it's a perfectly unremarkable selfie.

A photo has just flashed up on my newsfeed of various teaching colleagues enjoying what is clearly a jolly good night out last weekend. Some colleagues have asked to be un-tagged in it.

Fair enough, if that's what they want, but it's just a picture of lots of slightly wonky eyed teachers sitting round a restaurant table full of wine bottles.

Completely legal Friday night behaviour.

Teachers are entitled to a private life Ffs.

(& yes agree probably more to this particular case than just this photo - if suspension rather than a quiet word from Head/HR to lock down privacy settings)

That's ridiculous. She isn't even showing any flesh, apart from arms and legs.