Just So You Know
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 2:14PM A reader (presumably local) contacted the school district office in town this week with concerns about my blog. An administrator visited me at work today to talk about it. Several staff members at D.O. had thoroughly looked through my blog and they had the following to say:
- They think I write well. (Promote me! Promote me!)
- They like my recipes. (Thank you)
- They could not find anything I had written that violated the policies put forth by the district. (Whew!)
I hope as you’re reading this, my tone comes across as “friendly and concerned” and not hostile or defensive because I am neither. Whoever called my employer did so because they have the same concerns I do - child privacy and safety and I would never be upset about that.
Just to reassure this concerned reader though - and any of you who might have worries - let me tell you that I really do take my job and security issues seriously. When I tell a story about school, I never include student names or photos and I often change details like gender, age or timeline. I’ve never mentioned the name of the school where I work or its location and the name I use as a blogger is not my full or legal name so it would take some real detective work to track down my location.
And if someone did track it down and decided to visit my school?
Well I’d be the first person they met when they walked through the door.
My whole job description is “protect the school and the kids” and I try do it well whether I’m on the clock or not. My own kids are in this school district so I treat the security and privacy of every student as I would want someone to treat that of Reagan, Hayden and Faith.
That being said, I value the opinions of my readers and their families - especially the local ones because we all have to live together. If any of you read something here that you think crosses a line of some sort, feel free to e-mail me. (There’s a place there in the right side bar to do so.) I’d like to think I would respond well to any politely worded concerns.
Bloggers, School Stories
Reader Comments (12)
sorry this happened but i knew you were taking it a little too far with that booger story! =o)
Well that's a little unsettlling...why do people always go straight to the top before coming to the source?
I read all your posts and I've never felt a line was crossed in the way that is implied. Most of your posts have nothing to do with work. I hope you feel free to continue writing in the way you always have.
ok, I just went back and read the booger story...wish I hadn't :/
As a teacher, researcher, parent, child advocate, etc. I have never seen anything on your blog that concerned me...I too write about my students from time to time but like you am very careful about how much specific information I share. Your blog, like mine, is not about work...it's about us...and our jobs happen to be a part of us. Gracious goodness.
i was joking by the way...
are boogers part of a no tolerance policy? you handled it like a champ! and you are a great writer. with great recipes. and a totally appropriate (albeit delightfully sarcastic) blog.
I'm applauding your politely worded and grown-up smack down. Its better than my not so politely worded and rather public smackdown I said on my private FB page. :) But I must admit - you now have my curiosity up in terms of a "real" name. You aren't going to say its Mork are you?
Even though you were not defensive or hostile when you wrote this post, I read it through gritted teeth. I have one woman in my life that I would trust with my life. That is my sister. I used to have two, but mom died. I have perhaps 4 good friends that I am pretty sure would have my back if push come to shove. And the rest of the women in my life, I do not trust. Cynical? No burned way to many times.
I do not for a moment think the reader went to your DO because they were concerned for the student. Heck, Mindee, I am local, I know your last name and I could probably figure out the school district if I wanted to. But none of your blogs have ever crossed the line. I am not sleuthing when I read your writings, I am entertained. Sometimes moved and much of the time in awe of how well you tell a story. Your bosses who looked into this matter are very smart. They recognize talent. Isn't that what schooling is about? Individualism, creativity, learning? Do we quit because we are grown up? No.
Come on, women, we are our own worst enemy. Would I guy go tattle tailing? I don't think so. This person needs to quit being the town narc and get a life. There. Glad I got that off my chest.
I'm so sorry this happened to you. And I am way impressed by the classy way you handled this... I'm not sure I would have been as nice as you.
I have to say that one of the things I enjoy about your blog is the barriers you place around what you are speaking or blogging about. When you write about your job or your kids I don't feel like I'm privy to all the little details. Some bloggers make me cringe because I wonder about what people would say if they discovered they were mentioned on the blog or what their kids will think when they find the posts their parents posted when they were younger.
How strange! I think you are very private. I'm sorry that happened.
That is total jerkiness, period. You, obviously, would never write something sketchy or out-of-bounds and to take it to your bosses? That's just crazy sauce.
mindee, i really, really feel for you. i really do. i bet you feel like you were punched in the gut. i'm glad you wrote this post. i hope you're breathing easily again.