Teacher Fired for Facebook Post: Facebook Troubles Part 1

Dr. June Talvitie-Siple, a high school math supervisor in Cohasset, Massachusetts, learned her lesson about Facebook privacy settings the hard way – she lost her job.

Arrogant and Snobby

Not realizing her status update wasn’t restricted to friends only, Dr. Talvitie-Siple groused about the upcoming school year calling the residents of Cohasset “arrogant and snobby” and adding that she was “so not looking forward to another year at Cohasset schools.”

The school district granted her wish and demanded her resignation.

Refuses to Apologize

Although Talvitie-Siple takes full responsibility for not realizing her privacy settings allowed anyone to read her page, she refuses to apologize for her remarks, insisting that she was referring to the political situation in the school district, which she says, is “very stressful”.

Cohasset school officials, residents and parents are understandably irritated by the comments and Talvitie-Siple’s lack of contrition.

Talvitie-Siple, who was the math and science supervisor, is no stranger to Facebook faux pas. In February a bout with illness caused her to remark on her page that “Now I remember why I stopped teaching kids. They are all germ bags.”

She claimed later that it was a joke and that her friends were aware she was kidding.

Parents weren’t as amused.

Teachers Face New Policies

Many teachers are starting the new school year with reminders and new policies governing their online time, but this new push for Internet safety for adults, who like to stay employed in these grim economic times, comes too late for Dr. Talvitie-Siple, who plans to look for less stressful employment in the coming weeks.

Should teachers, or employees in general, be able to post online without fear of losing their jobs? Where’s the line between work and private life? Or is there one?

Facebook Privacy Setting by Ann Bibby

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Charles W.

4:33PM PST on Feb 27, 2011

Teachers are supposed to be roll models for our children. The children are on facebook. 'Nuf said.

send a green star

Annmari L.

12:20PM PST on Feb 7, 2011

These days almost all employees search the Internet for anything referring to employees or applicants. There are plenty of stories about people with temporary jobs who have been dismissed for posting anything remotely critical or just showing a picture of their tattoos ar playing in a metal band, etc. I never post anything on FB or any other public site that are critical towards a company I work for or apply to. I save those for my personal and anonymous e-mail accounts!

ChanTlalok Rain C.

4:41PM PDT on Sep 22, 2010

thanx Ann, God Bless

Hilary E.

2:37PM PDT on Sep 21, 2010

O COME ON NOW!!! That's her own personal life. U know I say things like that about my own kid! People need to quit taking things so damn personal and lighted the frick up!

HannahNoMail H.

8:37PM PDT on Sep 8, 2010

Serves her right...

Mary A.

1:25PM PDT on Sep 4, 2010

I could to go fired or without more and better opportunity if I do work comments on FB about the work...

Eileen R.

3:52PM PDT on Sep 2, 2010

i find it stupid that someone would talk of personal private things on a internet site. Especially since the rules change daily and you don't own the rights to your wall. Frankly if you want things private, don't post it for millions to find. This advice goes for everyone, there is only 1 thing you own your privacy and your name, if you splash these all over the net, then don't be surprised when your rights are violated.

Lika S.

1:00AM PDT on Sep 2, 2010

Granted it was unprofessional to post that she wasn't looking forward to work there because they have an attitude, it wasn't so bad that they had to act like that either...

Anyway, with the poor economy, we are lucky to have the jobs we have, even if we don't always or necessarily like them. Mine doesn't pay much, but I do make a positive difference in what I do. It's a labor of love, and so I figure it could be worse. At least I have it.

Past Member .

1:38PM PDT on Aug 31, 2010

If you are so unhappy at your job, more so as a teacher, that you will public state how much you can't stand them, that in my opinion, is grounds for being let go. Their dislike of their job and people of whom they are to be working for, can and most likely will be a hindrance for them to do their job properly without bias.

bye, Bye to another teacher with a bad attitude is how I see this.

Don't want people to know it, don't post it.

The internet is not private and if we allow it to become such, we lose the ability to speak independently and for our causes for we will only be allowed to speak about what the private industry says we can on their internet...

Be careful for what you wish for people, be very, very careful.

Tanya G.

9:35AM PDT on Aug 31, 2010

TSK - how unfortunate! :( Best not to air grievances in that site. I found that even among my contacts when I ask a simple question, it can even be misinterpreted, esp when other people give other info.