Social Media: Education Department Policy Guidelines
Adopted April 9, 2013
1.
All faculty will talk to students in each course about how to be professional and responsible
when using social media as teacher candidates at Hope College.
2. All faculty will include information in course syllabi that provides the following guidelines for
teacher candidates in regards to social media.
When you were admitted to the Education Department you signed a Statement of Commitment to
Professionalism. By signing that statement you agreed to display the dispositions that exemplify a
teaching professional. Several areas on the statement are especially pertinent in regards to social media
– responsibility, maturity, respect, and personal integrity. In particular, you should consider the
following advice:
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Do not post anything that you would not want your future employer to know/see/read on
Facebook, twitter, or other social media sites because your posts can be easily viewed by your
students, your teachers, potential employers, etc.
Do not post anything that discloses confidential information on any students or staff from your
field placements, including the names of your school, mentor teacher, or any other school
personnel.
Do not post anything that would reflect negatively on your field placement mentor teacher or
the students in your placement.
It is not wise to be “virtual friends” with your students as this then gives them access to personal
information about you that you may not want them to know.
Take time to review the technology usage policy for the school district in which you have been
placed. Your mentor teacher should be able to provide you with this information.
In addition to the above advice about the use of social media, ensure that the content and tone
of your cell phone voicemail is professional and uses appropriate language.
You have been duly alerted to the stance taken by the Education Department in regards to
professional behavior outside of the field placement setting, including the use of social media.
Please understand that there are consequences if you fail to adhere to a school district’s technology
usage guidelines and policies or use poor judgment in your personal use of social media. The
Education Department will not be able to defend you if you have failed to be professional in your
use of technology.
Drafted February 27, 2013