Do you look up your DC's new teacher on Facebook or Google?

[Anonymous]

I'm an elementary school teacher. I've heard that parents will sometimes try to scope out their child's new teacher on Facebook, Twitter, or just Google them in general. I'm wondering how widespread that practice really is. Do you do it?

[Anonymous]

Yes. I screen all new people coming into my professional life this way too. I don't feel bad about checking out what people put into the public domain, because if they didn't want me to see it, it wouldn't be accessible. It gives me a lot of information- both positive, neutral and negative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I screen all new people coming into my professional life this way too. I don't feel bad about checking out what people put into the public domain, because if they didn't want me to see it, it wouldn't be accessible. It gives me a lot of information- both positive, neutral and negative.

+1. I wouldn't necessarily call it screening in this specific context, just basic background research, but I do agree with this. And I fully expect and welcome that others likely do the same to me as well.

[Anonymous]

Of course I Google the teacher and check on Facebook. The more I can learn about someone who will be spending so much time with my child, the better.

[Anonymous]

Yeah it's a window into the soul

[Anonymous]

No. That's creepy.

[Anonymous]

Of course I do. And I expect that others do the same for me when I am starting a new job or project. I did the same when hiring a nanny for my kids too. I teach my kids that everything they put online is there forever and this is why you need to think before you post that crazy picture.

[Anonymous]

It's equally useful to google their spouses, kids, parents, wedding participants, and distance relatives.

[Anonymous]

No. Never occurred to me to do such a thing. And even now that I'm aware of it, I still have no interest in doing so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an elementary school teacher. I've heard that parents will sometimes try to scope out their child's new teacher on Facebook, Twitter, or just Google them in general. I'm wondering how widespread that practice really is. Do you do it?

Only if it's a teacher I don't know. Looking at you, fourth grade of ATS...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an elementary school teacher. I've heard that parents will sometimes try to scope out their child's new teacher on Facebook, Twitter, or just Google them in general. I'm wondering how widespread that practice really is. Do you do it?

Only if it's a teacher I don't know. Looking at you, fourth grade of ATS...

I think I know who you are.

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

Yes, absolutely.

[Anonymous]

Yes. My husband is worse than me - he'll check twitter as well. I'm also shocked if I find a teacher that has a pretty public Facebook profile. That leaves a bad impression on me. I'm trying to teach my kids about internet security and then if they have a teacher that posts things publicly on Facebook I find it disappointing.

[Anonymous]

In fairness, as a teacher I have been known to look up parents.