Is it considered normal or acceptable for parents to send their children's teachers a Facebook friend request (after the year has finished)?. I would love to stay connected to my child's teacher, but not sure if tracking them down on Facebook and sending them a friend request is good etiquette. Do teachers accept formers students parents as Facebook friends (as a general)? I would love to stay connected with the people who have had such caring and positive influence over my child's life (First school year is finished and feeling emotional and sentimental) . Or is it just considered weird or inappropriate?
10 Replies
I’m a teacher (secondary) and honestly it would depend on the circumstances. I teach at a very rural school (don’t live there) but I have friends on my Facebook who are parents of students I have taught or will soon teach.
I would think it weird though (and would not accept) if a random parent (no matter how nice) requested to be friends out of the blue if we aren’t friends and don’t meet socially in real life.
A lot of schools have strict policies though so if she doesn’t accept don’t take it personally.
I “think” it might be inappropriate but I’m not 100% sure, I just feel like it’s not right
I am a teacher aide and it is advised not to accept students friends requests. I do have some parents but that is because I also have a child at the school I work at and their child is friends with mine. If it was just a random teacher who I didn't know that well then I wouldn't accept.
Usually considered unacceptable. My bestie is a head teacher, I have loads of teachers who are friends and I worked in a school. Your child may end up with that teacher in other capacities.
Most teachers I know don't use there real name on social media for this exact reason.
Just because the teacher doesn't directly teach your child there will still be professional interactions on the playground etc.
It really depends on them some will be your friend, some will have a work profile they will add you on and some may have their personal life and views on lockdown to protect their peofessionalism, so you can try but dont take it personally if not.
Im studying currently, though in a different industry in which it's considered unethical to accept social media requests from clients and/or their families. I expect it would be the same for teachers (the exception probably being if you know them personally outside of school - in which case it may be considered a conflict of interest to teach them anyway).
It's lovely that your child's teacher has had such an impact, you could contact the education department and ask but I expect in this situation it wouldn't be appropriate!
I would raise the question to the teacher but don’t get offended if the decline the offer, doing it in person before sending the request in my opinion is weird and inappropriate.
Otherwise ask for a email address as a way to stay in contact
I have two of my child’s teachers as friends on Facebook but only due to the fact we socialise out of school, I don’t send my kids teachers requests as like most of us they like to enjoy that separation from work and social life so don’t be offended if they don’t want to cross those boundaries
I am a teacher.
We are not meant to accept friend requests from parents unless we are friends outside of school.
Think of it this way:
Imagine if every year parents wanted to add the teacher on facebook, give updates and chat or keep in contact - that would be exhausting and almost like they never leave work.
Teachers have the right to have a separate work/private life, it's wonderful that she's had such an impact but I think it's probably not appropriate.
And assuming your sons only going up a grade, it's not like she'll never see him again. They'll see each other in the playground at duty times, in assembly etc.