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AIBU?

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Original poster

Teachers on Facebook and night out

333 replies

GreenGreenGrassBlue · 03/09/2022 08:45

I’ve name changed for this, my friend was showing me photos of her children’s SLT (Dep Heads, other teachers) out on a night out in a City. She’s friends with one of the Teachers on Facebook.

There are photos of them enjoying a night out, doing shots etc and this Teacher is friends with a number of parents on Facebook.

AIBU to think it’s probably not appropriate to share these sort of photos on Facebook?

It is titled like a pre back to work night out with a number of parents commenting things like ‘are you ready?’.

Im not saying don’t go out but not sure how appropriate it is for teachers to be sharing like this on Facebook.

OP posts:
Hotandbothereds · 03/09/2022 09:57

Dadaya · 03/09/2022 08:49

It’s called maintaining a professional image. People like teachers, doctors, and other professionals are expected to keep their private life private. It’s a sackable offence if you don’t.

Don’t be so utterly ridiculous, having a night out isn’t a sackable offence, get a grip.

TheFlorist · 03/09/2022 09:59

Maireas · 03/09/2022 09:47

Just approach us gently, keeping your hands visible. A small snack could be useful. No flash photography.

Show quote history

🤣🤣🤣

OP, you'd love me. Before I went into primary school teaching, I trained as a body piercer.

I've been a teacher for around 15 years now and, whilst I don't pierce anymore, I do still play in a punk band.

I've played at small local festivals where I've been sitting in a field smoking and drinking and seen children I teach/have taught. Sometimes, they come over for a chat, sometimes they don't.

There are photos of me on fb drinking pints of beer.

Most of the parents understand that teaching is my job and not a cult I signed up to. It's how I pay my bills.

Iamnotthe1 · 03/09/2022 10:01

This thread is utterly ridiculous and some of the posts just completely misinformed.

There is no legal requirement for teachers to keep social media profiles private. It's strongly advised in case the teacher posts something that could be problematic but it's not mandatory. If I had a social media profile where all I posted was cute pictures of my dogs, whether I have it set to private would be irrelevant. You cannot be sacked purely for having a public profile. That would result in a court case and a decent payout for the teacher.

Teachers can be connected to parents on social media if there is a reason for it, for example, they were friends prior to the teacher and parent sharing a school in common. The reason should be shared with school leadership so that they are aware. Again, you cannot be sacked purely for having a parent connected to you via social media.

The only disciplinary point is if the teacher publically posted (or shared with a parent on private social media) themselves doing something that shows them displaying behaviour that brings the profession into disrepute.This could lead to problems for the teacher. However, going for a drink is not this.

Any social media policy going further than this is trying to take a belt and braces approach, which is fine to help teachers avoid bad situations, but a dismissal coming from something like this would not hold up in an employment tribunal.

Maireas · 03/09/2022 10:02

@TheFlorist - not a cult I signed up to exactly.

tigger1001 · 03/09/2022 10:02

All the teachers I know have different names/different spellings of their name etc on Facebook for this very reason.

You saw the photos only because your friend is Facebook friends with this teacher. What's wrong with the photos that's unprofessional?

Hurrrrah · 03/09/2022 10:02

This whole don't be friends with parents thing is all very well but if you work at a local school or in the area you grew up the chances of you already knowing and being friends with parents are very high. We know several teachers who teach at our children's school, we have them on social media but have for donkeys years. As for changing your name to Sophie Anne so you can stay hidden, if you have mutual friends you have friend suggestions pop up! The headmistress at my children's school was a friend suggestion, she has a pretty unique 1st name but uses her middle name as her surname on fb, really well hidden 🤣!

BeanieTeen · 03/09/2022 10:04

There are photos of them enjoying a night out, doing shots etc

Doing shots! And enjoying themselves! Pass me my smelling salts 😂

C8H10N4O2 · 03/09/2022 10:07

GreenGreenGrassBlue · 03/09/2022 08:45

I’ve name changed for this, my friend was showing me photos of her children’s SLT (Dep Heads, other teachers) out on a night out in a City. She’s friends with one of the Teachers on Facebook.

There are photos of them enjoying a night out, doing shots etc and this Teacher is friends with a number of parents on Facebook.

AIBU to think it’s probably not appropriate to share these sort of photos on Facebook?

It is titled like a pre back to work night out with a number of parents commenting things like ‘are you ready?’.

Im not saying don’t go out but not sure how appropriate it is for teachers to be sharing like this on Facebook.

I hope you have your "friend" blocked on social media before they do the same to you.

Did she ask the consent of the other people in the picture before sharing it to shit stir?

Festoonlights · 03/09/2022 10:08

It is unprofessional, but that is my view. I have a job that is in the public eye and I would never post party pictures anywhere on SM.

I guess the students also may have access to the photos/footage and it would undermine the authority and creditability of the teacher, particularly if the photos are compromising. Secondary students would be reminding/teasing the teacher of said indiscretions potentially for years.

Lucyccfc68 · 03/09/2022 10:09

Does your friend usually stalk teachers on Facebook? She/he needs to get a life.

Crocwok · 03/09/2022 10:09

Festoonlights · 03/09/2022 10:08

It is unprofessional, but that is my view. I have a job that is in the public eye and I would never post party pictures anywhere on SM.

I guess the students also may have access to the photos/footage and it would undermine the authority and creditability of the teacher, particularly if the photos are compromising. Secondary students would be reminding/teasing the teacher of said indiscretions potentially for years.

Op didn't say it was a public profile though, but that her friend who is friends with one in there showed her the photos.

BeanieTeen · 03/09/2022 10:10

It’s called maintaining a professional image. People like teachers, doctors, and other professionals are expected to keep their private life private. It’s a sackable offence if you don’t.

Maybe this explains why there’s a GP shortage and they constantly need to push teacher recruiting. They’re constantly being sacked for having a night out apparently 😂

brookstar · 03/09/2022 10:12

obsessedwithsleep · 03/09/2022 09:42

It's inappropriate for teachers to be friends with parents on FB. This isn't allowed in my school.

What if you'd been friends with them longer than you'd been a teacher?

My neighbour teaches at my sons school. My son and her daughter have been friends since they were tiny and attended the same nursery. We've babysat each other's kids and they're in and out of each other's houses all the time.
She trained to be a teacher a few years ago .... long after our friendship was established.

Was she supposed to delete me off social media? As well as all the other parents she knows locally as she's lived here 15 years?

Arbesque · 03/09/2022 10:12

I would be annoyed if I was a teacher enjoying a night out and a few drinks with colleagues, and one of them posted a photo up on Facebook that was then passed on to parents. Teachers are entitled to a bit of privacy and don't necessarily want parents/pupils commenting on their downtime. Most teachers I know hate seeing parents or pupils in a restaurant or hotel
Where they're having a good time. It's the kind of job where you put on a certain persona when at work.

BestCatMumEver · 03/09/2022 10:13

Goodness me, when I qualified as a nurse I’d go out all the bloody time and see half the people I worked with.

We are allowed a social life you know.

Madmax1992 · 03/09/2022 10:14

Get a grip

Emmelina · 03/09/2022 10:17

Just wait until the parents find out we have whispers sex! Imagine the scandal.

notacooldad · 03/09/2022 10:19

I think you should watch some videos of MrWilliamspreK on in Insta.

Tips for teachers!😂
www.tiktok.com/@mrwilliamsprek/video/7101062808502226222?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1&lang=en

LeoOliver · 03/09/2022 10:21

This wouldn't bother me the slightest. Teachers are allowed to be human and have a life. The same for nurses and doctors.

DamnUserName21 · 03/09/2022 10:24

Whilst I'd have private settings (and would not friend parents) if I were a teacher, I feel it should be up to the individual, although I daresay, the school likely has a social media policy.

As a parent, I wouldn't be bothered by this. I can appreciate that my DC's teachers go out and likely get shit-faced on occasions and more power to them!

lohaspark · 03/09/2022 10:24

It wouldn't bother me. It means the teacher is normal and can unwind after a hard week's work teaching kids.

I suppose they can't get pregnant either.

maddy68 · 03/09/2022 10:26

It's inappropriate for teachers to go out?

Wow

maddy68 · 03/09/2022 10:28

So a teacher is friends with someone who's kids to the school and?. Many of the teachers I worked with have their own kids at the school. Imagine the shock when those kids play at the teachers houses and find wine bottles ....

ToGanymedeAndTitan · 03/09/2022 10:29

Neverendingdust · 03/09/2022 08:58

Regardless of the profession this is why your Facebook privacy should be water tight because judgemental nosey busy bodies can see everything. Also another reason why it’s a bit ‘2008’ to post nights out pictures too, I mean who does that?

Er.....lots of people?!
I posted mine last night 😁
I agree though, privacy should be totally locked down (mine is) as too many nosy / nasty/bitter people out there.
Also why I only friend people I actually know!
Nothing wrong with teachers having nights out either.
Would hate to be one and have people thinking you are a robot that just comes alive in the staffroom in a morning and switch into action 😁

Oysterbabe · 03/09/2022 10:31

Don't be so ridiculous.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with adults enjoying a night out at the end of their holidays. Presumably they aren't doing lines and dancing topless on the bar.