Topic > Blog and Free Speech by Natalie Munroe - 829

One of the most important and difficult professions is teaching. Teachers play a vital role in nurturing the intellectual and social development of various students during their maturing years. Teachers spend more time with students on a daily basis than parents. Therefore, parents entrust teachers with the enormous responsibility of guiding their children to become useful members of society; however, this task becomes difficult for a teacher when he is faced with a lack of respect and discipline from his students. A Pennsylvania teacher, Natalie Munroe was subjected to extensive stress and abuse from her students when she taught at Central Bucks East High School. Munroe posted a blog on the Internet in which he addressed the problems of his students, parents and even school administrators. Eventually, East High School suspended Munroe from his work via the blog. Many people believe that he is not criticizing all of his students, however, all of his criticism is aimed at the disrespectful teenagers who have failed by choosing not to learn; therefore, school administrators should not suspend Monroe for a minor blog “laced with profanity” (McGraw, para. 6). Like millions of other Americans, Munroe should not be barred from expressing his opinions as a constitutional right. The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…or abridging the freedom of speech” (Buchanan, par. 1). Therefore, Munroe should be allowed to blog about whatever topic he wants under this legitimate right and not face the consequences of a job suspension. Even when Munroe is aware of his rights, “he has kept things as anonymous as possible” (Munroe, para. 11). She goes out of her way to be discreet... middle of the paper... although Natalie Monroe stirs up many controversial discussions through her online blogs in which she addresses this "tough [and] underrated profession", the content of her blogs are valid on education today (McGraw, para. 14). Many people believe that Monroe should not be punished for her opinions or receive a job suspension as she has the right to engage in social blogging similar to millions of other people in America. Works CitedBuchanan, Brian J. "About the First Amendment." First Amendment Center. February 28, 2011 http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/about.aspx?item=about_firstamd.McGraw, Anne. “Are today's students just lazy crybabies or overwhelmed?” The Patriot News. February 20, 2011: D6.Munroe, Natalie. “Where are we going and are we in this basket.” Blogger.com. February 12, 2011. February 28, 2011 http://www.nataliemunroe.com/.