Teacher compares student to 'orangutan' on Facebook, could lose license

[RandySF]

A teacher who got on Facebook and likened one of her students to an orangutan could wind up losing her teaching license for the derogatory comments she made on the social network.

An elementary school teacher in Manatee County, FL, posted the remarks, as shared by the mother of the student with a local TV station, Bay News 9:

"I'm fairly convinced that one of my students may be the evolutionary link between orangutans and humans."

The comment got seven "likes" and some responses, including some from other teachers. Said one: "Please tell me who you are talking about. This made me laugh out loud."



http://digitallife.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/05/12581309-teacher-compares-student-to-orangutan-on-facebook-could-lose-license?lite

[kestrel91316]

1. Because this is FL, I am going to assume the teacher in question is a good, white, church-going

Repuke and the student in question is quite brown.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[NYC_SKP]

2. Maybe it's not an insult in the end...

...from her own example (the teacher), orangutans might be the nobler species.

EOM.

[Joe the Revelator]

3. The teacher should have never allowed a parent to be friends with her.

[echofreak]

4. I dont see what the big deal is

freedom of speech.

[MadHound]

5. For all practical purposed, teachers don't have freedom of speech.

If you write something that somebody finds offensive on Facebook, you can get fired. If you write a letter to the editor that somebody doesn't like, you can get fired. If you happen to wander into a bar to knock back a beer and some tee-totaling fundy parent sees you go in, you can get fired. If you are photographed with a drink in your hand, and the picture is posted on Facebook, some tee-totaling fundy parent can see it, and you can get fired.

As a teacher you are a public figure and your rights are secondary at best. Sadly, that is the way it is and always has been.

[RandySF]

6. The comments were racial in nature and pertained to a student.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Not really.

[liberalmuse]

9. Freedom of speech also comes with responsibility....

If you say something stupid, or slander someone, then you'd better be prepared to face the consequences.

[MadHound]

10. Ah, so there should be a consequence for a young teacher,

Who posts a picture of herself with a drink in her hand? There should be a consequence for a teacher writing a letter to the editor?

Nice that you think that the First Amendment only applies to certain professions.

[RandySF]

11. She compared a student (non-white) under her care to an ape.

Big difference.

[LanternWaste]

12. Almost as nice as the idiot who believes the First Amendment is absolute

"Nice that you think that the First Amendment only applies to certain professions..."

Almost as nice as the idiot who believes the First Amendment is absolute in its protection of any and all speech.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. What an idiot.