To Prospective Employers:
March 14, 2008 by Intrepidteacher
To Prospective Employers:
If you are reading this post, then you have most likely already read my cover letter, perused my resume, and now are probably left asking yourself why such an experienced, passionate teacher would resign from his current position. Below you will find my explanation:
As a Language Arts teacher, I try to inspire kids to think, reflect, analyze texts, and express themselves through writing and other media formats. I focus on these skills because I believe in the inherent power of literature and art to transform individuals and society. I believe that it is through communication and identification with other peoples’ ideas that we best learn how to become global citizens. I could go on and on, but let me just say that I practice what I teach-I believe in writing, so I write. For the last few years, I have been storing this writing on my personal blog.
The mission statement for this blog is: Building communities where information and art serve the search for truth. An organic interactive medium to forge an arena dedicated to individual/communal peace.
This past year, I realized that I was making a name for myself in the Edublogosphere, so I thought it would be a good idea to finally connect my personal and professional lives. I wrote a brief post explaining the rationale for making this connection, but have since removed the post, as well as the link, because of the trouble it has caused me and my family. I want to make it clear that I never directly linked my personal blog and the thoughts on it to a site where my students would have direct access to them, because frankly the ideas I write about- life, art, politics, and religion amongst other things- need to be made more objective for a young audience. I never invited, mentioned, or encouraged my students to read my personal blog. As far as I know, except for a few students who may have independently investigated me on the Internet, very few of them knew I even had a personal site.
A member of the parent community at my school followed the link I had supplied here at Intrepid Teacher and found some material on my blog that they considered objectionable and took the issue to the school board. I was immediately asked to resign. The administration felt that I had given students direct access to material, which they felt was inappropriate. This material was a series of works of art I had done as part of an independent online art group last year. In order to avoid further trouble, I have since removed the prints in question.
The dilemma my director faced was not whether the material was inappropriate, but the fact that I had consciously made a link, which in their eyes encouraged students to view the prints.
I have to reiterate that I never made a direct link from my student site or invited or encouraged them to view my personal or professional sites at any time. I think this fact warrants repeating, because this perceived link was the main issue for which I was asked to resign. As a matter of fact the image itself was not even on my personal blog, but on a Flickr page.
In an attempt to be open and honest with parents and administrators, I simply tried to make the connection from professional and personal, so that should they Google me or find out that I do have a personal space- where I share my writing- they would not be surprised. I shake my head as I type these words, because by the sound of it you would think that my personal site is filled with offensive material, when in fact, I am actually quite proud of the work I do there. I have never done or said anything that was not aimed toward my personal evolution as a caring and passionate human being, artist, and teacher. I actually wanted parents and administrators to see the side of me. I was a bit nervous to expose the site should someone find offense to any particular post. Unfortunately, this transparency proved to be the cause of my current predicament.
I do not feel that the question here is the propriety of the material on the blog. As proof that I have learned my lesson, I have not linked to the site in question. The issue is the linking of sites. I have learned the important lesson that we must always separate our professional lives from our personal lives.
After writing a statement and making my plea to the board, the school felt that the parent community could not handle this situation. I have since, however, received much parental support and astonishment at my predicament. I now see that this episode was a series of poorly made choices. My director has assured me that he feels terrible about the whole thing, and that he would give me a good reference. I highly encourage you to speak with him to learn more about me as a teacher and a person. I also have several parents who have said they are willing to write me letters if the need should arise.
Let me close by saying that I want to be open and honest about this episode, so I encourage you to read my class and professional blog for yourself. After this experience, I would love to work in an environment that appreciates and prides itself with the work I have done both in and out of the classroom. I have learned a very valuable lesson on boundaries, online identities, and responsibility.
I think all of my words scattered over the Internet should give you an clear idea of what type of teacher I am and what types of dynamic and innovative ideas I can bring to your school. If, however, you are still unsure please read my official statement and letter to my students. I think their comments for that post, and this one, best elucidate the power of inspiration.
In short- I love teaching. I love education. I love what I do. I want to go to a place that appreciates and encourages my ideals. If you think that your school is that place, please email me back and let’s talk details. At least let’s chat on the phone or in person. I hope this episode does not tarnish the otherwise amazing work I do with students. Please also take the time to read the comments that appear under this post and the ones already made here, or read some other articles written by other teachers here and here.
Thank your for your time.
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Professional, insightful, and honest. Well done, you’re someone to look up to - not many people would be able to deal with this with such dignity and grace. I look forward to seeing where you land next, I’m sure you’ll find your perfect place very soon!
I think what I’m most thankful for is your willingness to make your situation transparent to all of us. You stand on the cutting edge right now—personal blogger, professional blogger, long-time content creator—-but it won’t be long before there are thousands of young professionals wrestling with the very issue that you are currently working through.
And that includes the kids of my classroom. We talked about your situation the other day—-and it resonated deeply with them.
By working to reflect publically and by sharing your struggles with all of us, you are pushing conversations. You’ll help young people to recognize that there is a very thin line between public and private life while working online. As it currently stands, those lines are blurred in the minds of kids who’ve been one mouse click away from posting anything that they want for the world to see.
You’ll also help decision makers—from principals through school board members—to rethink/redefine their expectations for what is acceptable from a generation of potential educators who will have grown comfortable with public identities that would have been unheard of ten short years ago.
It’s going to be interesting to see how those changes play out. Will teens finally recognize that public expressions—whether it be of controversial opinions or images—-are career killers and become more thoughtful about the content that they create?
Or will they grow to resent professions that restrict the freedom of expression that the Web has provided for them throughout their lives?
Will we end up with a new tolerance for ideas because they are more readily available, or will people simply learn to keep their thoughts hidden if there is the potential for others to take offense.
Regardless, I respect your willingness to think this through in public. It’s a conversation that will repeat itself for the next several years—to pretend otherwise is ignorant—and the lessons you are learning will support others as they develop new understandings about online identities.
Regards,
Bill Ferriter
To Whom It May Concern,
I would be happy to provide a letter of recommendation for Mr.R.
Although we have never met face to face, I feel that I have an understanding of his personal character and teaching capabilities acquired through our virtual interaction.
Please feel free to contact me for further details.
Sincerely,
dmcordell
[...] think about the events this week around the demise of Al Upton’s miniLegends blog and the resignation of Jabiz Raisdana, both of which I wrote about yesterday. It seems I’m ending the week on a series of negatives [...]
Jabiz, get in touch with me about a recommendation. Blair
Dear Jabiz,
I wish I were a school administrator so I could hire you. But, I’m a long retired Engineer. Have no fear, someone is going to give some children a priceless gift.
When I read your students’ comments I was moved to tears. Don’t know much about teaching. But your kids know what excellence and caring is all about; many for the first time. Bravo, and thank you for what yo do. All the best to you, ChimChim
Jabiz:
Make sure you look me up whenever you get settled back into the edusphere. I would love to continue working with you and your students in whatever way we can, even if it’s just bouncing good ideas around. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. We both know it works and kids love it. And for the planet’s sake and all the living things on it, especially the people, the young ones, the sooner, the better.
To anyone thinking about hiring Mr. Raisdana:
Consider yourself very fortunate to have the opportunity. This is a person with a passion for what he does. To sum it up in two very simple yet powerful words: He cares.
Your open account of what has caused you to become unemployed will stand you in good faith for your future as an educator.
Your employer had a perfect opportunity to render you human.
They chose to scapegoat rather than honour intent.
I can be assured after long consultation with your peers that this is a very unfortunate circumstance that you have had to endure.
Go forth and know that the world goes with you…..please consider telling us what it’s like to be an open educator and proactively contribute to;
http://talo.wikispaces.com/learninginthe21stcentury
A great post Jabiz and best of luck with the hunt.
A very useful word of warning to us working in schools today on “the cutting edge” as the previous poster mentioned.
It’s always a tough balancing act, separating professional life from personal and it’s made much harder when we are professional and personal bloggers.
It was my personal love for blogging that made me decide to bring it in to the classroom and I see that my pupils often get the bug pretty quickly.
A brave decision to expose that side of yourself, a decision I have tried not to do, but it’s pretty clear that if a pupil wants to find out about me, as I’ve been blogging for 8 years it’s not at all difficult to do.
A lesson learnt and a real shame that the parents and management could not cope with your honesty.
I guess if we work with IT and incorporate new and “scary” information sharing ideas into our teaching practices this is one of the many pitfalls we face
heya jabiz
the collision of the virtual world and that of bricks and mortar can be a perilous thing, though that separation is more of a myth than ever before.
I’d like to talk to you. Since I have one foot in technology and one foot in education I might have some networking leads for you and would be happy to assist you any way I can.
Please get in touch.
Lisa Rokusek
314.409.5633
Don’t know you, never met you, nor related with you online until this comment. If you’re stating the truth here (fwiw, you give me no reason to doubt) then I feel for what you went/are going through.
I am a fellow international educator and former colleague of Jabiz’s (as well as a frequent taker of his money at our occasional card games). I recently completed my graduate degree in international educational administration, which included a course on educational law. Jabiz’s case is certainly no Brown vs. The Board of Education, but with the advent of virtual education and the blurring of personal and professional boundries, cases like this are certain to become more commonplace.
For those of you unfamiliar with the nature of private international schools, there is rarely a teacher’s union or professional support group that advocates for the rights of international educators. There have been hundreds of cases of teachers being victimized in much worse ways than what happened to Jabiz, who was fortunate to retain the support and recommedation of his director (although this still puzzles me in light of his actions concerning this case). Many teachers live with the reality that their contracts can be terminated at any time with few options for recourse.
Still, the actions of the administrator in this case are understandable, especially considering the power that some parents have in school communities like these. But they beg many questions about what the definition of acceptable behavior is in terms of personal and professional activities online. I can guarantee that few if any schools have a definitive policy on this issue, which means that they will be dealt with on a case by case basis until they become so prevalent that they require a clear standing policy, and any decisions concerning them will be rife with politics - a scary prospect considering the economic ramifications of having to resign in this manner.
Jabiz is an outstanding educator with whom I have worked, played music, collaborated with on many projects, and shared many a thought on the nature of teaching. The good news for him and for all of us out there who appreciate what he does is that there are excellent schools who will recognize the quality of his work and his character and line up to engage his services in the future. Best of luck to you Beezie, and keep stirring the pot!
Peter Kimball
The Taipei American School
Taipei, Taiwan
Hiya Jabiz
Just getting into this ning thing and thought I’d take a look at yours after reading your blog
Hope you are finding life a little easier now. I’ve just got fired myself and thought about your position, and am about to write a blog on http://www.andytgeezer.com about it, refering to your post.
I really think that the collision between e-life and real-life is getting silly.
Gone are the days when you could go to school and be anonymous to the pupils. Me and you have been blogging for ages. I’ve been blogging for twice the amount of time that I have been teaching.
It’s kinda hard to hide away when my name is the first to come up on google.
So what’s the solution?
A conundrum that one….