This information is for teachers who are considering or who are already blogging about their school day.
The instructional day is so varied that teachers must be cautious about their blogging content that they put online. Not to embarrass, call out, identify or spotlight children that may present a cause for concern.
Any pictures of children put on a web site, social networking site or in the newspaper must be granted permission first from the parent or guardian. Check to see if there is already a media release form for students at the school.




Video about Blogging Content for Teachers


Wm Jackson
Teacher with DCPS
http://about.me/williamdjackson

Cyber Bullying and Stalking in HBCU’s

A new academic year is starting for HBCU students. HBCU students will take back to school excitement and enthusiasm for another academic year of discovery and growth . The excitement of a new term, new courses, instructors, and classmates for growth in diverse careers to positively influence our world. As a public school teacher in DCPS and Professor at Edward Waters College, caution is also being shared concerning growing bullying and cyberbullying. Technology is being used to spy, taunt, stalk and bully students at HBCU’s.

What is not expected the harassment, embarrassment and stress of cyberbullying, stalking from people met in person or online from parties or social gatherings. Once a person has “locked you into” their cell phone, as a Facebook friend and on other social media platforms it is hard to delete, block and hide from them.

The feeling of cyberbullying is like, “someone following your every move. You try to get away but they know all of your information: email addresses, phone numbers, Facebook page.” A. Spivey (Black College Wire).
Cyber bulling/stalking is becoming more prevalent with new advances in SoLoMo (Social Local Mobile) technologies. Cyber stalking is defined in electronic platforms as being pursued, harassed, stalked, or contacted by another person continuously and without consent (crimelibrary.com). This also comprises false accusations, the transmission of threats, identity theft, sexting and solicitation of sex.

The actions of cyberbullying and stalking are not fun, entertaining, nor playful, that is why a person must be careful of who takes their photo or a video of them. Once the photo is taken or video recorded they have lost control of that digital content. The environment of an HBCU is for academic growth and excellence, there is history behind each school. Students need to understand their inappropriate behavior is punishable by jail time, fines, expulsion, legal restraining measures, and the potential for retaliatory violence from their victims.

Cyberbullying has created turmoil for students and in some cases for instructors. Statistics show the affects are increases of suicide planning, suicide attempts and physical retaliation. The public schools are facing tragic results from bulling, events like suicides by youth as young as 11are growing across the country. In Springfield, Mass (2009) Carl W Hoover (11) African American male suffered from continuous attacks of bullying. Carl tragically hung himself, he was a football and basketball player, Boy Scout and yet he was called “gay” and taunted. Tragic results like these are what parent’s fear when bullying starts at school, extends into the community, online and even in church.

Carl W. Hoover story..
http://videos.masslive.com/abc40/2009/04/hundred_from_the_community_sho.html

The prevalence of bullying has been discussed by Oprah, Tyra Banks, Dr. Phil and President and First Lady Obama. The Antibullying conference at the Whitehouse shows on a governmental level bullying, cyberbullying, stalking and harassment is being taken seriously. Cyber laws are being created and enforced with the victims and those committing the crime in mind. Prosecution of bullies does not always solve the issue, counseling and intervention strategies in schools, communities and churches are preventative measures that many can be involved in. R. Mahaffey, an FBI Deputy Marshall in Jackson, Miss. in charge of the Cyber Crime Center says, “We live in a technology driven society and not everyone uses technology for positive means.” Students at HBCU’s and other higher educational institutions should know that once they login to the schools network their Internet activities can be monitored, data collected can be used in a court of law against them. Mahaffey explains, “School age students and college students list too much personal information on their profiles in social networks which can be easily accessed and manipulated.”

This is why many times students wonder how people get to know so much about them and their patterns of movement that can be used by cyber and physical stalkers. Girls and women need to be aware that now people stalk them online without them knowing and it makes it easier to stalk them on the college campus, around town and even in the public or private schools environment.

A. Moncrief, freshman computer science major from Joliet, Ill., attended a technology conference stated, “I have chatted before and see all sorts of weirdoes,” Moncrief said. “I have learned codes and structures of websites. If I wanted to I could hack into a site or someone’s computer; it is just that easy, if I wanted to cyberstalk a person I would have no problem because people put so much information about their lives online especially girls.” The Internet provides the anonymity to empower the bully to become more malicious and express their harmful feelings.

The laws in place do protect citizens who have been violated in the cyber realm, consequences of breaking the laws include fines and/or four years in prison. Words of caution and wisdom by Moncrief, “If you feel you are being cyber stalked or been a victim of a scam, save all the emails or chat blogs. Print off multiple copies and contact the proper authorities immediately.”

The entertainment industry has also taken note of this issue, recently LMN (Lifetime Movie Network) has several shows relating to bullying, stalking and cyberbullying; on ABC Family Network the program Cyberbully premiered with great reviews (http://abcfamily.go.com/movies/cyberbully).

On a more personal note, I’m a parent that has a child in college and high school, it is really important for parents to sit down with their children to talk about their online activities. Parents need to make students understand the seriousness about bullying/cyberbullying this academic year. The risks of physical harm, stealing of personal identity, and damaging of reputation should not be looked upon lightly. The stakes are too high for young people who attend HBCU’s to better their futures.

Resources copy and paste into a new window to view:
CNN Politics
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/10/obama.bullying/index.html
Stop Bullying
http://www.stopbullying.gov/
Stop Girl Bullying
http://stopgirlbullying.com/
Stop Bullying
http://stop-bullies.com/
School Board News
http://schoolboardnews.nsba.org/2011/03/bullying/
Everybody Hates Chris
http://www.bet.com/shows/everybody-hates-chris/news/2011/bullying-an-epidemic.html
Bullying Not A Game For All
http://www.bet.com/news/health/2011/04/25/bullying-not-a-game-for-all-involved.html
Bully Police
http://www.bullypolice.org/brenda.html

Black Males In Education

Black Males in Education
Dr. William Cosby, (Bill Cosby) stated,
"Education is the most powerful weapon
which you can use to change the world for
positive influences."

As a third generation teacher I wanted to encourage, inspire,
empower, bless and provide confidence to my brother
educators.
Education as a whole needs more certified male teachers to be
positive role models, but the need for Black Males in education
is important. This is not to say other cultures are not effective
educators, but from my personal experiences, the influences
of Black male teachers in my life; the cultural awareness,
relevance to life experiences and need to see a face that is
my color was important to me and others growing up in an
urban setting.
It provided a sense of stability, encouraged self worth and
even though my father was not a part of my life other men
stepped up and took upon the roles as father, mentor and
educator. Even though all my friends had fathers in their
homes and I did not I'm as successful as them because of
the influence and support of other Black males.

Black Males in Education * Understand the importance,
value and need of education to be successful in American
society. They know education is the key to economic stability.
BME * Take responsibility for helping young Black boys and
young Black girls to grow into mature and responsible
Black adults.
BME * Understand the challenges of being Black and male
in American society and try to share their positive experiences
with Black children that are not their own. To help them
value education, hard work and teach morals and values.
BME * Understand that they will be viewed as Black first
above their degrees, salaries, cars, and clothes so must
display professionalism and confidence at all times.
BME * Understand they may be the only positive Black
male role model in a young Black males and females life.
They must try to inspire, motivate, and educate at all times.
BME  * Understand that they are always under a microscope
by parents, administrators and society so must
always conduct themselves professionally.
BME * Understand they make sacrifices choosing education
as a career choice. They do it for the love of children and the
opportunity to be a positive influence in society.
BME * Understand they are sometimes viewed as the
Custodian, Athletic Coach, Yard Person, Bus Driver or
Cafeteria Worker, but no matter someone else's perception
they are still positive forces in the education of youth.

BME  * Understand their responsibility for their families,
but sometimes must put others before themselves and
their families. Sometimes they sacrifice to save another
life outside of their family or bring others into their family.
BME * Understand that they are not Superman and cannot
save every child no matter how hard they try. They still try
their best to make a difference for all children.
BME * Do not always get the emotional, spiritual and mental
support they need when working with children in school and
the community, but they press forward and do important work.
BME  * Are sometimes viewed as arrogant, cocky, indifferent,
and thuggish when in fact they emanate intelligence,
creativity, drive, accountability, spirituality, discipline and
strength of mind and will.

These attributes and more are the strengths that Black
male teachers display in their classrooms schools and
communities. C. G. Woodson (Mis-Education of the Negro)
"Real education means to inspire people to live more abundantly,
to learn to begin with life as they find it and make it better.

BME * Understand when they show caring, peacefulness,
love, empathy, and sympathy they maybe viewed as soft,
gay, unintelligent, incompetent and unprofessional. They are
smart enough to know when to be tough with kids and when
to show compassion.
BME * Understand that they have a responsibility to be the
best they can be every day because they know someone is
always watching and judging them.

Written in the Education of the Negro, by C.G. Woodson,
"almost every Colored person who could read and write was
a missionary teacher among his people." What has happened
to the Black community today when our schools are threatened
with closure, sanctions and state internetions.

Black Male Teachers though few in number carry a power
and influence that can raise the potential of Black male and
female students. Sometimes it is just the presence of a teacher
that inspires. I'm proud to be a Black Male Teacher because I
know who I' am, how important I 'am, how important I' am to
my students, my peers, and my community. I'm not ashamed
to say I love my students for their talents, abilities and potential
to make the world a better place.

Society should not feel threatened by Black Male Teachers
intellectualism, should not be apprehensive about Black Male
Teachers articulation, and not scared of Black Male Teachers
dedication to being a Black Male Teacher. Society should
encourage male teachers, praise them, pray for them, and
support them. Black male teachers show society not all Black
men are thuggish, undisciplined, irresponsible, lazy and uneducated.
We have a responsibility to our families, our communities,
our churches and our children.

Malcolm X stated "Education is the passport to the future, for
tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today."