The Winston-Salem Journal raises the bigger issue surrounding the recent confrontation between an East Forsyth High School student and teacher over text messages:
That said, it is also clear that texting is how teenagers communicate, almost exclusively. At the same time, while it is not prohibited by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system, texting can be a minefield for a teacher. As Sharon Nelson, legal director for the Association of American Educators, told the Journal’s Laura Graff, “My recommendation (to teachers) with respect to texting is always the same. And that’s don’t do it. Period.”
….And the situation raises another issue, that of texting between teachers and students. The school board should review its policy. It may not be practical to ban it, but it should be restricted to certain occasions, such as a canceled practice. Texting is best left to teens for communicating privately with their close friends and family. Despite the important role teachers play in the lives of many students, they should not try to be either.”
WSFCS says teacher Mike Muse has been disciplined for his profanity-laced confrontation with student Dillon Tschrnko, but the school system —citing personnel privacy matters –will not say what the punishment was.
