Teacher?s Web site attracts students: MySpace.com site raises concerns about appropriate teacher behavior

A Web site reportedly maintained on MySpace.com by a local high school teacher has prompted concerns given the recent misdeeds of former Centertown teacher Pamela Rogers on the same Internet site.

?We ask that our teachers exhibit appropriate behavior,? said Director of Schools Dr. Jerry Hale, who was approached by Nashville television stations about the site yesterday afternoon. ?But, this is a First Amendment issue so what they do in their free time is their business as long as it does not negatively impact their job or their students.?

At question is a Web site on MySpace.com maintained by a local high school teacher, a Web site which has reportedly been visited by some of her students who have left messages. The teacher?s name is not being revealed since she has broken no laws nor violated any school rules.

?Whatsup (the teacher?s name) i?m really goin to like your class i can tell already your not like the rest of the teachers. we?ll see you tomorrow,? said one post from a male teenage student claiming to be in one of her classes.

Another post, from a teenage girl, refers to a former student, saying he has moved to Florida where he can get ?all the pot he wants.?

While any member of MySpace.com is free to leave a message on the site, it should be noted the teacher did not reply to any of the messages that are reportedly from her students, and there are no pornographic references or pictures on the site, the most risqu? portion of the site being a background of Playboy bunnies.

?We will caution the teacher,? said Dr. Hale, noting there is no rule restricting teachers or students from maintaining Web sites on their free time so long as there is no morally offensive material placed online.

Hale pointed out the recent questions are only the latest in a number of calls the school system has gotten about online activity from both students and teachers.

?We?ve seen all sorts because we do get calls here from time to time about Web sites people want us to take a look at,? Hale said. ?In the case of this particular incident though, we?ve looked at the site and haven?t found anything inappropriate since it was done in her own time. There is also an issue of maybe part of the site was done by someone other than her.?

While allowing teachers to maintain a Web site on their own time is permitted, the school system can take disciplinary action against teachers and students who maintain a Web site which issues threats or discussions of illegal activities as they pertain to the school.