Teacher Suspended for Harsh Words Can Go Back to Work

Remember Natalie Munroe, the Pennsylvania teacher suspended for blogging about her lazy, disengaged, whiny students? She's been cleared to go back to work in the fall.

Her suspension touched off a polarizing debate. Should teachers be able to express their thoughts about students in a personal blog? The Facebook page "I Support Natalie Munroe" has over four times as many 'likes' as the opposing "Throw The Book At Natalie Munroe" page.

Munroe's actions prove once again that when you put it on the web, it's permanent. Her tell-it-like-it-is blog was taken down, but not in time. "They curse, discuss drugs, talk back, argue for grades, complain about everything, fancy themselves entitled to whatever they desire, and are just generally annoying.” Also included, were comments she would have enjoyed including on students' evaluations:  “I hear the trash company is hiring” and “Just as bad as his sibling. Don’t you know how to raise kids?”

Munroe's lawyer is recommending that she seek employment with a different school district, however she is considering a return to Bucks East High School, the school that suspended her earlier this year.

What are your thoughts? Should she be reinstated? Personally, I support her. Her words may have been harsh, but she didn't name names. She may have exercised poor judgment, but she has the right to vent. And educators telling it like it is - letting parents know in no uncertain terms that their kids are headed for trouble - may actually be in the students' best interest.

[Time]