Thing #19 Other social networks

After reading the tips and guides on how best to use your social networking sites I found one common thread; be VERY cautious about what you post!  It fairly obvious that we should never post inappropriate information or materials on a social networking site, but I believe it should be stressed to all teachers and potential teachers to never ever vent about a student online either.  Keeping our Facebooks or Twitters private is not enough to ensure that those we don't want seeing our profiles don't, therefore we should only post things that we are comfortable with EVERYONE seeing. I know teachers have been fired over what they posted on Facebook or even denied a job after the principal read the contents of a teacher candidate's Facebook.  In many districts a teacher candidate won't even be hired until the principal has checked their Facebook.

For educators I believe one of the biggest uses and benefits of a social networking site is the fact that its an outlet to be creative and to become inspired.  Hence why I chose Pinterest for Teachers as the most appealing social networking site for teachers. I am big into decorating and believe if I create a warm and welcoming environment in my classroom my students will perform better.  If my walls are bare and there is no character in the room, students won't want to even be in the room!  My favorite teacher was my 3rd grade teacher partly for the reason that she created a room like non other.  There were no bare walls in her classroom, it  was either adorned with the works of her students or beautifully decorated boards.The reading area of the room was a bit like a jungle with real and fake plants, stuffed animals and comfy cushions to sit on and read.  Students WANTED to read so they could go sit in this neat area of the classroom.  Pinterest for Teachers is FILLED with ideas and beautiful examples of ways to decorate a classroom and I am certain that I will go back to this site for ideas when I finally get my own classroom.

dull and boring

VS.

cool and colorful

WHICH ONE WOULD YOU PREFER?

I am not a member of any social networking sites other the Facebook and have considered on more than one occasion to just delete it for good.  I get frustrated by the idioticity, whining and complaining, or general annoying and useless posts made by my Facebook "friends." I only keep it because its just a small few that make me want to pull my hair out and Facebook is a great and perhaps only way of keeping up with old friends from high school.