Topic > The Importance of Freedom in Education - 725

Opinions expressed by teachers are shared with parents, teachers, and administrators and can have negative consequences. For example, in the case Poleza v. Capistrano Unified School District, “the Ninth Circuit ruled against a teacher who aggressively promoted his religious beliefs to students in and out of the classroom” (Kemerer & Samson, 2013). Teachers are not free to say whatever they want just because they are in their classrooms. As explained above, teachers are employees and, as established by Pickering v. Board of Education, “the school district has the authority to control what a teacher expresses in that context” (Kemerer & Samson, 2013). Technology, particularly personal devices and social media, is rapidly increasing classroom transparency. In online classes, the classroom walls extend beyond just the learning management system; Teacher communication and student interactions occur in private and public settings. Online teachers should be aware of what classroom walls are