posted 3/8/2010

Texting, Facebook Can Give Teachers Struggles With Virtual Boundaries

Educators are Crossing a New Social-Media Minefield

When Ryan Wilson started getting text messages from a teenage girl a few months ago, he thought nothing of it. After all, the Hernando County teacher often communicated that way with students on the athletic teams he coaches.

The girl was on his weight-lifting team and texted him a lot because, Wilson said, she needed advice for personal problems. It wasn't long, though, before rumors about something improper were swirling around Nature Coast Technical High School.

District officials started investigating.

In January, Wilson was suspended with pay. But he's back at work after an investigation found no evidence of serious wrongdoing.

Even so, Wilson received a letter of reprimand because, officials concluded, he should have reported the teen's constant texting that put him in a compromising situation.

Wilson and educators like him are learning the world of social media can be a tricky place, especially when students are involved. They can find themselves in deep trouble — and their names in the newspaper — when that blurry line between student and educator is crossed.

And it's not just students who cross that line.

Last week, Eustis High School Assistant Principal Kristine Durias was forced to resign for not backing off her friendship with a student — a relationship based on shopping trips, text messages, phone calls and chatting on Facebook. The state is investigating Durias as well. Neither she nor the student's parents could be reached for comment.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-teachers-texting-students-20100301,0,2721662.story