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The Edutopia Poll
by Sara Ring
If a student wanted to call you -- at home, on the weekend -- would she know how? Some school districts have rules in place to regulate how teachers and students may contact each other outside the classroom. A new Louisiana law, for instance, requires teachers to report to the school board all student communication that's made outside of the school's own email and phone systems.
In schools with no such policies, teachers must find a balance between maintaining their personal privacy and being available for students to contact them with everything from homework questions to family crises. Some teachers choose to give their personal phone numbers and email addresses out freely, or to give them out within certain parameters -- only for emergencies, say, or only to particular students. Still others don't provide their personal contact information at all and prefer to keep firm boundaries between work and home. Where do you fall on the spectrum? We want to know!
Comments
Need to Know
Since I am a special education teacher I tend to give my phone number to the parents if a reason for doing so comes up. I will give it to high school age students if they ask for it. For example, when I was picking up a girl for a choir concert because her mother had to work, I gave her my number. My phone number is listed. In a few cases we have shared email addresses, and if the information is confidential, I use my home e-mail.
I have known some who would give out their cell number, but not their home phone, that being a good way to control calls. Plus the cell is not connected to an address, a good way to avoid early morning knocks.
I think personal information should be given carefully on a need-to-know basis. If there is something about a teacher's life she does not want her kids to discuss, she needs to be real scrupulous. For example, I know a teacher in a conservative state who lives an hour away from her job in a different county. Part of her reason for not moving closer to her job is because she is gay and has a life partner. While this would not be a problem in less backward states, in this state it could have the fundamentalists foaming at the mouth and demanding she be fired, even though she has been with the system for many years. Her students have asked why she lives so far from her job and she is honest, telling them that she likes to keep her job and her personal life separate.
I think it is important that you are not only classroom teacher but also i person who is ready to help and give advice. That's why always the first thing I do when i begin to work with a new group - I give my mobile number and e-mail if they ask.
Alla
www.allasobirova.com
I'm glad this topic came up and I get to read the responses. As a university student working toward a degree in Elementary Education I have thought about this a lot. On one hand I do want my students to be able to reach me when there is a need. On the other hand, the potential for abuse of personal information is very high. I think I will not give my personal information unless there is a case by case need for it. Teachers also need to think about how they are being perceived. A friend of mine has a daughter in 6th grade. The teacher regularly emails and chats with the students about non-school related topics. This bothers me. So... the topic of sharing personal information is not just something to think about in terms of teachers being bugged too often, but for teachers crossing lines that are inappropriate as well.
Yes, with caveat
I always give my students and their parents my cell phone number and personal e-mail. I've done so for years, and have only received 1 prank call in all that time. I have, however, been able to provide support when students needed it, even when it was just because they were all alone after a move to Miami and they needed someone to say that they mattered!
Phone Info
During the first week of class, I distribute a Class Description. It contains my personal e-mail address. If ever a parent asks for my home number, or a work schedule conflict prevents contact during regular prep-time hours, I hand it over, gladly.
Also, when there are special projects, each student gets my home phone number and e-mail. This makes sense to me, because not all of my students have access to the Internet and team disputes, for example, can be handled before class. 7:30 P.M. is the latest I will accept student calls (I have instituted, on a case-by-case basis, exceptions).
Dee T
Secondary Special Ed Teacher
My students have access to my school email which I can access 24/7. If they or their parents need to contact me after school hours, they can do so via email.
Reading Specialist on medical leave
I aree with you. I provide a phone number and that is it. Because I am not listed, I don't worry too much about them finding out where I live. But I'm also very clear about the parameters of calling. Parents can have my number most of the time, but I do not give out my personal email as we have a very efficient contact system at school. I don't give out a cell phone number because I rarely turn it on!
It depends on the locale.... for cel/tel@ college yes.... @ HS ...no...
some of it has to do with expectation and access... HS kids see you everyday. I have a face book and a twitter and email...
I think I am available...
Students I find have very good understanding of Boundaries... Parents...unfortunately ...not so much!!!
I am more inclined to give my contact info to students for that reason...even at the college level!!