Are teachers being unfairly criticized for their comments outside the classroom?

You may want to watch what you post online because it could cost you your job.

Have you heard about the high school English teacher in Philadelphia -- who was suspended for blogging about her kids? She called her students "lazy whiners" and disengaged -- and was suspended for it.

She didn't use her name or identify any students or the school, but said, "They curse, discuss drugs, talk back, argue for grades, complain about everything, fancy themselves entitled to whatever they desire, and are just generally annoying."

Another teacher in Massachusetts was actually fired for talking about her students and their parents, calling the kids germ bags and the parents snobby and arrogant.

It’s a major hot topic going around the country, the restrictions being put on our teachers when it comes to interacting with students. But just how far is too far?

Smart Family took this issue head on, bringing in advocates from both sides. Communication coach and parent of two Dianne Sikel and Lakesha Givens, who is the Program Director with FIBCO Family Services and a parent, came on our show to address this issue.

• Are teachers being held to unfair standards than other working individuals?
Dianne: Everybody has negative opinions, thoughts, and biases and is irritated by someone, whether it is at work or at home. Why are teachers being held to a higher standard then everyone else? It is very hypocritical to pretend that teachers shouldn't dislike their students or their jobs. How do you feel as a parent about all of your child's friends? How do you like your job, coworkers, neighbors, boss, or competitors?

Lakesha: Teachers should be the second line of defense to provide encouragement and advise children that they can be successful, and that their current life situation does not have to define their entire lives. We as educators and advocates of children are held liable to an unwritten set of rules called "morals.” Morals give us the unwritten guidelines for protecting children.

• Were the teacher’s comments out of line?
Dianne: The teacher did not name names, each of the incidences were generic posts. There was not any defaming or direct "bullying." Why would a parent care what their child's teacher thinks about the school policy, the students behavior, or if they like their job or not? Teachers are entitled to have an opinion. Each parent also has an opinion, so we all have that in common.

Lakesha: It was a very unethical decision that the Philadelphia teacher made regarding releasing situational information and details regarding her students/adolescents. What type of image is she teaching her students? Teachers are one of the most foundational support systems for a child, and in some cases the only foundational support.

• Should the teacher have been suspended?
Dianne: What are the boundaries that separate a person's right to express themselves, have a personal life and their own opinion - and what employers are allowed to use against someone to suspend or fire them? This is a slippery slope. This can have very far reaching affects.

Lakesha: The behaviors that are being demonstrated by the adolescents she is working with are actually quite normal. If she studies child development she will learn this. If she has lost faith in children then it is time for her to find another career.

When it comes to this issue, everyone has an opinion and many of you are sounding off on our Smart Family Facebook page. Should teachers be under such a high level of scrutiny? Or are they being held to an unfair standard?