Compromising Professionalism

The internet is a global phenomenon and whatever you post online stays online whether you like it or not even when you try to delete pictures, articles and etc that invite controversy or public attention.

I do agree that people are entitled to do whatever they want in their private life. But when you begin to post things online, where the internet is a public domain, dont be alarmed when people start giving you their two cents' worth of opinions that can change you for good or scar you for life. Of course it is easier said than done when you try to rationalise that your work life and personal life ar separate and if you ask me, I do think so as well.

But really, why choose to go into a teaching profession where the obvious is there that you become some sort of a role model for children and as someone that their parents depend on to give these children the best in education? When they see your pictures of your 'tiny' bikinis, it's really hard for them to distinguish you from the professional image you portray in school. They only see you as one thing. Their teacher. To them, you are that one and only person who they look up to even after the school time curiculum. It's just how they are. So it's also not like other jobs where you can afford to actually separate your work and personal life because people dont even care less...unless you sleep with the boss or something.

Seriously, it's not that we are not open minded enough to not accept you in your..er..bikinis. You can wear bikinis all you want, tiny or not. But you're just inviting trouble when these pictures go online and people being the curious minders that they are, and trouble makers, can do things that are beyond comprehension just for fun's sake.

Honestly, you cant blame them. It's just human nature for some people to push the limit. But it's really not worth the trouble to compromise your profession that whatever you do or say do bear unbearable consequences due to its rigidness in letting you be who you are.

Just like if you're a smoker and a teacher as well. As much as we dont want the children to experiment with smoking, it's really not an issue that the teacher is a smoker as well. But of course, if the teacher smokes in the school premise or infront of the children, now that is also inviting trouble.

It does seem this teaching profession seems limiting and that it gives the general image that teachers are also human beings that have their own life to take care of out of school. But like how I said it earlier, it's just a matter of careful thinking that what they are about to do will not bear undesirable consequences later on such as posting entries that are begging for some public drama and tension.

True, children or even teenagers are taught to form their own opinions. But what kind of opinions do you want them to have of you that will later compromise your teaching role in their lives? I actually chuckled at one of the parents' opinion regarding this issue about a teacher posting semi nude pictures of her online in a bikini competition. He didnt have an issue with such a teacher being his children's educator, and honestly I wont either, but he was like..well...now whenever they see the teacher, they can only visualise her in a bikini. Actually, that is so true coz I would also..haha. I dont think I can take the teacher seriously already. And that battle is half lost already as an educator.

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