Well, it’s happened. I wasn’t the focus of it, but it happened, nonetheless. I was recorded. Yep, while a parent was attempting to record another educator in my building, I was recorded without my knowledge.
Many of you may have read or heard in the news about the newest fad in “attack the teacher” news – record them without their consent. I’m sure many of you may have very strong views on this subject. Well, guess what? So do I!
I have nothing to worry about, of course. I’m not being arrogant, I just simply don’t. I make it a practice in my classroom to treat each student with respect and to not say anything that I would not want being said to my own children. It doesn’t mean that I don’t occasionally make a mistake, but the fact remains that I use my classroom as a professional workspace. There are just some words and phrases that do not come out of my mouth in the classroom…..my car or home is a different story.
So with that being said, I am still miffed. No, miffed is not the word I am looking for….furious might cover it, but without the violence sometimes associated with that word.
I really don’t need to give a play by play of the events. Suffice it to say that the parent was adamant that I was never the focus of the recordings. Notice I said recordings. Yes, there was more than one instance apparently. Despite the parent’s assurances that I was not the focus, I still felt the need to express to this parent my feelings about this subject. I firmly and calmly told her that I understood as a parent the concern she may have for her child. However, as an educator, I felt like I had been insulted and slapped in the face. Yes, I know. If I had nothing to worry about, then it shouldn’t bother me. They why does it then? Huh? I’ll tell you why. It bothers me even though I have nothing to worry about because I live in America and I am a professional. It’s that simple. I was a byproduct/accidental recording in her quest for something else. It does not change the fact that I was recorded without my knowledge in my classroom at my school. Feel free to come and video tape me, record me all you want for as long as you want….as long as I am given the common professional courtesy of knowing about it. I have nothing to hide, but that does not mean I do not have rights. Don’t insult educators. Talk to them. Talk to their principals. If that doesn’t work….the school board or the superintendent will surely get the job done.
There. I said it. I feel better now.
Sincerely not liking being recorded without my knowledge,
tgn
