Integrity: an adherence to a code of values. Libel: to injure a person’s reputation, especially by something written. Fallacy: a deceptive, misleading, or false notion, belief, etc. The internet is riddled with libelous and fallacious comments left by those who seem to want to destroy the integrity of others, and there seems to be little anyone can do about this.
“Ms B**** is one of he worst teachers my child has had. She teaches by intimidation and consistently degrades students. She often refers to female students as trollops or other inappropriate names. She talks about "power" on a daily basis and tells students she has complete power over them and their grades. Ms B***** does not enter grades into the parent portal in a timely manner and refuses to do so when students ask. Also beware if you or your child is a student athlete.”
Imagine finding this comment posted about yourself on the internet. This is a libelous statement; statements like this can be found on the website, Rate My Teacher.com, and sadly, they are perfectly legal, therefore teachers and professors have no legal recourse. While there is truth in this parent’s statement, the entire statement is libelous and based on perception and fallacy.
To wit: I do speak of power on a daily basis because it is the common theme I am using this year. I challenge my students to think of all the power sources in their lives so they can better connect with the literature we read. When students see purpose on their reading, they are more likely to complete assignments. Only students have power over their grades by the choices they make; I do not. I only can assign what a student has earned. Furthermore, I have spoken to young women for years about dressing in ways that respect them and empower them rather than sexualize them. And lastly, beware if a child is a student athlete? All my students are held to the same expectations in my class.
What bothers me most about Rate My Teacher and the ability to leave anonymous comments is the lack of integrity and courage commentators display with their attacks on a teacher’s integrity and credibility. Sites like Rate My Teacher allow disgruntled students and parents to handle their anger and/or frustration in a way that can ruin reputations. They seem unconcerned that they ruin a teacher’s reputation over a situation that will soon pass, and their comments will forever exist in cyberspace. High school is truly a brief moment in a student’s life; what gives them—and their parents—the prerogative to post derogatory, fallacious, and libelous comments about teachers, comments that will continue to follow those teachers long after the student has graduated.
While I have no legal right to force Rate My Teacher to remove libelous comments about me, I will make this request: teachers (and ultimately future bosses) are human; we make mistakes, but we do the best we can. Keep this in mind and really think before posting hurtful, potentially damaging comments on the internet. How truly beneficial is it to post negative comments?
