Frank LoMonte, executive director of the Student Press Law Center, did give us some tough facts of life today. The teacher can lose his or her position or even become unemployed because of a story that the students have a constitutional right to publish. I think many of us knew that, but it was still difficult to hear. I am struggling with a piece of advice that seems quite logical but is nevertheless very tough to follow: talk to the journalism students in advance about the fact that there might come a time when the teacher will not be able to defend or champion their rights.
In my club context, I really like pointing the students to the SPLC.org, where they can find good information about their rights. I am thinking that my "tough times" talk, or what LoMonte called "the facts of life" talk, might be easiest in the context of telling a horror story from the news or from the listserve I am on through JEA. I can retell the story of another journalism group and what they are dealing with, then explain the position teacher is in. That would give them fair warning, I think.
I liked the clarity of the advice regarding the teacher's appropriate position: that of a loyal, supportive employee. For those with so-called tenure and a strong contract, the union representative should be helpful. But LoMonte advised that the conversation between the teacher and the principal should be on a practical, not legal, level. We can explain how a somewhat embarrassing story in the student newspaper can become a huge, national story if handled badly. We would have to be careful because it might sound like a threat rather than a caution, and then there goes the idea of a loyal employee!
JoAnn Augustine
American Canyon High School
American Canyon, California
JoAnn,
ReplyDeleteI agree. As a first-year journalism teacher, I'm very concerned about the idea of being at risk from both sides: Is my position at risk if I allow my students to exercise their rights and am I violating those rights if I act as an editor or "funnel" for their work? I've been teaching TV Broadcasting for many years. Since we do not have the same protections as a journalism class, all of our work must be approved by the district before we air it on the cable channel. So, I'm used to that sort of dynamic. I have a steep adjustment curve on this!
Dave West
North Allegheny High School
It was difficult to hear a lawyer discuss potential trouble for advisers. Although we all know the risks associated with our profession, this was the first time I heard it stated in such a direct manner.
ReplyDeleteThis session was very informative.
Thomas Curran
Grace King High School
Metairie, La.
I must say that I, too, am extremely concerned about my position in controversial issues.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that came up was about the students printing, but the adviser not looking at it. Well, that absolutely does not happen at my school. When I first started, I had no idea what was going on. We had an error that was pretty prominent, and I had not seen the issue. After that, I (as well as the principal) look over the issue. It is not in a manner of censorship, but as a means to assist the students with putting out a product they can be proud of.
I loved Frank's suggestion of prevention. Letting students know what their role is if a controversy does arise and what their rights are is logical and it will be something that I deliberately review at the start of the year.
ReplyDeleteJen Chandler
North Harford High School
Pylesville, MD