Teachers Chatboard

Join Teachers.Net

Chatboards

Recent Groups

Teachers

MEMBERS

248 Members

+ Join Group

Pinned Posts

AIAI in Education

Welcome to the AI in Education Chatboard!

AIAI in Education

Are students using AI to cheat—or are schools failing?

Teachers Chatboard

Can teachers be banned from peaceful protests

by by their administrations?

Jan 30, 2017

It is starting to happen.

Comment

(5)

report post

view previous comments

Mama maria On 1/30/17, by their administrations? wrote: > It is starting to happen. I don't think so legally, but as with child advocacy ,I would say don't do it in your district or city because of possible retailiation, instead I would suggest going to the next largest city near you, your state capital, or directly to DC

Jan 31, 2017

report post

it depends Generally speaking, no, if we're talking about a public school, then it is usually protected by the First Amendment. All courts recognize that matters of "public concern" are protected by the First Amendment; judges do not always agree about what matters concern the public; and courts have granted school boards the right to control teache...See MoreGenerally speaking, no, if we're talking about a public school, then it is usually protected by the First Amendment. All courts recognize that matters of "public concern" are protected by the First Amendment; judges do not always agree about what matters concern the public; and courts have granted school boards the right to control teachers' speech that is related to their districts' personal interests. (c.f., Pickering v. Board of Education)

However, if the consequences of a teacher's political expression or affiliations outside of the classroom are outweighed by the school's interests in promoting a safe and effective learning environment, then the district can use time, place, manner, context or consequences of the teacher's expression to censor the activity and probably win if challenged in court. In other words, depending on the circumstances, if the activity is morally objectionable or becomes an issue that interferes with the teacher's performance in his or classroom, then there may be a right for the administration to forbid the activity. As a general rule, the First Amendment protects teacher's rights to participate in political activity as citizens. Teachers may put political stickers on their cars, and they can probably wear political buttons on their clothing and associated with various political activist causes, as long as they are not using school time to engage in partisan political activity. They also must be careful not to try to persuade students to adopt their personal views. (c.f., Coover v. Saucon Valley School District, 1997)

Private schools are another matter, and are not generally bound by these legal restrictions, sans a formal contract that affords greater protection. In addition, if you are non-tenured or otherwise at will, there is generally nothing stopping an administrator from using this as part of his or her decision to not renew your contract as long as s/he doesn't come out and state this as a specific reason for non-renewal, i.e., "the less said the better" can oftentimes protect the district from getting legally challenged for otherwise dismissing someone for engaging in constitutionally protected behavior, even if you have a strong union.

Your mileage may vary.

Jan 31, 2017

report post

EXERCISE ROLL CALL - Tuesday

by men

Jan 31, 2017

Got in 19.7 miles in cycling class this AM. I was talking to the lady next to me after class was over but was cycling while gabbing and lost track of the time. The instructor told me after class that she thought I was doing really well. She could tell I have really upped the resistance on the gears while riding. I don't get much positive feedback e...See More

Comment

(6)

report post

view previous comments

Elaine/ret/IN to Judy Oh, isn't that the truth? I really do miss having
teen-agers in the house just for their tech support. Even
now, at Christmas, DD looked at that website and--never
having used WordPress before--made a few immediate tweaks
and showed me the steps that enabled me to tackle it
today.

So cool that downloading books is easier. H...See More

Jan 31, 2017

report post

JRod I was feeling down it the dumps today and I can't figure out why. I had to force myself to get to the gym.

Today was weigh in and the scale has not budged! I will continue on the calorie intake I am on for another two weeks. If it doesn't change, I will recalculate and take it from there. The one thing I have noticed is that the belly jigg...See More

Jan 31, 2017

report post

Selective Mute

by PalmdaleMark

Jan 28, 2017

Anyone have a strategy for getting a selective mute to communicate? I've tried picture cards and fantasy role play with no success...has anyone gotten their selective mute to speak? Thank!

Comment

(8)

report post

view previous comments

Louisiannie No advice. I'll share my story. The boy was in the 8th grade. A million years ago. Small system. No support programs.

The students immediately put me on to the situation when he didn't answer roll call the first day.

"William doesn't talk."

Not "can't" - just accept it.. Move on.

He never re...See More

Jan 31, 2017

report post

ELL teacher On 1/28/17, PalmdaleMark wrote: > Anyone have a strategy for getting a selective mute to > communicate? I've tried picture cards and fantasy role play > with no success...has anyone gotten their selective mute to > speak? Thank!

I've had two. Both were teenagers and both were EL students (no, I'm not confusing an EL student's &...See MoreOn 1/28/17, PalmdaleMark wrote: > Anyone have a strategy for getting a selective mute to > communicate? I've tried picture cards and fantasy role play > with no success...has anyone gotten their selective mute to > speak? Thank!

I've had two. Both were teenagers and both were EL students (no, I'm not confusing an EL student's "silent period" with selective mutism; I'm an ELL teachers so I've seen that many times before but with these two it was very different: refusal to speak in any language at school, even native language, for more than two years, long after English comprehension and writing had gotten fairly good; speaking in other contexts such as at home but not at school). I agree with the advise that has been given by others. Trying to force the child to speak will make it worse. Find out what has been done in the past and who you can refer him to, but also be prepared to "wait it out".

One of my two would repeat words but would not say a single word at school although his sister said he "wouldn't shut up at home" and at home he used both English and his native language. At school he started speaking in a very quiet whisper after a couple of months if he had someone nearby who would model what to say, but all of his words at that point were repeated from someone else. This progressed to whispered oral reading and then a very few, whispered phrases ("yes," "no," "may I go to the bathroom?" "it's not mine," "please explain," and so on). In written work he was actually one of my better students, progressing in written English faster than most. Then one day after almost two years he suddenly started speaking, in the same good English he was using for written work by that point.

The other student was also with me for two years but was still not speaking when he left (he moved out of the area). He developed a very elaborate system of gestures (which was really quite creative and it was impressive how much he could communicate with it). He occasionally whispered a few words to go along with the gestures. Like the other student, his comprehension and writing were good by the end of the two years, but he still did not start speaking. In his case his gestures were so expressive that I think he had less motivation to start speaking - what he had been doing was working so well for him by that point!

For my two I believe that the fact that school took place in their second language was part (or all) of the cause of their selective mutism; I see it as the likely cause, but believe the same sort of situation can be caused by other fears or traumas as well. Your student's situation may be similar, even if there is no language issue involved. Other than seeking professional support for the student I recommend patience, finding ways to communicate even if they don't involve speech, allowing/encouraging whispers and repetition or "oral reading while still not yet using one's own words" as signs of progress when the student is ready. We treated all of these steps as normal, never making a big deal out of them but certainly making sure that any attempt at speech was accepted and got a reasonable (but not over-reactive) response. The students did make progress but it does take time.

Jan 31, 2017

report post

Apple Seed for Tuesday, 31 January 2017

by Barb S. hs/ret

Jan 31, 2017

<h3><font color=green>You have to reach out your hand – that’s what it’s there for.

<i>~ Mackinlee Barton</i></h3></font>

Comment

report post

Best Spanish Textbook for new Spanish Program?

by kzogg

Jan 31, 2017

We are probably starting a new Spanish program next year. What are your favorite Spanish textbooks/programs for middle school?

Comment

report post

Political, but also Educational

by Voting on DeVos

Jan 30, 2017

Do you live in one of these states? Please call and ask your Senator not to confirm DeVos for Secretary of Education. I've called them all and left messages. Actually talked to a human at Murkowski's office. But they want to hear from people in their states. Tennessee, North Carolina, Louisiana, Maine, Wyoming, Utah, Georgia, Alaska, Kentucky, Kans...See More

Comment

(1)

report post

Thank you! On 1/30/17, Voting on DeVos wrote: > Do you live in one of these states? Please call > and ask your Senator not to confirm DeVos for > Secretary of Education. I've called them all and > left messages. Actually talked to a human at > Murkowski's office. But they want to hear from > people in their states. Tennessee, North > Caro...See More

Jan 30, 2017

report post

EXERCISE ROLL CALL - Monday

by Elaine/ret/IN

Jan 30, 2017

5000-ish steps each day over the week-end. Lots happening: funeral for a friend's mother, morning Habitat meeting, DGS 7th birthday party. Star Wars theme; birthday parties these days are real events. What fun.

Today 9548. Close . . . under a bright sunny sky. Temps in the mid-20's. Very pleasant, especially for January.

Elaine

Comment

report post

EXERCISE ROLL CALL - Monday

by Bev-MI

Jan 30, 2017

Back at it...today, so far, 10,333 steps. Pt workout and two sessions on home treadmill. Back at DMs this afternoon. We have hair appts tomorrow. Hoping we do not get the snow predicted, tonight.

Looks like weekend was enjoyed by all, no postings! lol

Keep movin' and groovin'!!

Comment

(2)

report post

judycaret Yes, I enjoyed the weekend--and did a lot of overeating. You're exactly right, back at it today. 8,000 step walk for me.

Jan 30, 2017

report post

JRod Today was a struggle. My allergies are really bad. Runny, itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itchy ears...I'm a mess! I had to force myself to get to the gym. After taking another allergy pill, I set off.

Monday is my strength training using machines and dumbbells. I started off on the first two machines, but the third one was being taken u...See More

Jan 30, 2017

report post