The Pennsylvania State Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, advises its members to think about whether they would gladly show anything they post online to their mothers, their students, their superintendents, and the editor of the New York Times.
The union also urges members to avoid posting anything on profile pages about "colleagues, administrators, or students, as well as using inappropriate or profane messages or graphics, or anything that would reflect negatively on your workplace."
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association has offered its members training on the issue. Stuart Knade, chief counsel for the association, encourages school districts to deal with situations that arise as teaching opportunities.
"The thing about social media that seems to lead to difficulties . . . is that people tend to say and reveal things about themselves . . . that years ago, they wouldn't say in a roomful of friends, and yet they feel comfortable writing about it online," Knade said.
Despite the potential risks, some educators argue passionately in favor of social media as a part of teaching and learning.
Chris Lehmann, principal of the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, said that blogging can be a powerful tool for educators, as a way to reflect on the practice of teaching, to celebrate the successes in education, and to strengthen the bonds of a school community.
"I think it's a good thing that most of the kids at Science Leadership academy know the names of my children . . . and that I'm a huge sports fan," Lehmann said. "Whenever we can allow ourselves to be seen as real people, remember the humanity of our children and take joy in that shared humanity, we're going to do it better."
Mary Beth Hertz, who teaches digital citizenship at Alliance for Progress, a charter school in North Philadelphia, said blogging helps her be a better teacher.
