Social Media Guidelines for Practica

As you are representing yourself as a candidate in the educator preparation program, please be mindful of your social media presence. The Office of Clinical Experiences shares information regarding social media at the internship application meeting and as requirements for internship semesters; however, our students are being impacted prior to this stage of their college experiences.

Many districts, schools, or host teachers are quick to look students up on social media sites and students have been denied placements due to their social media content.

Here are some suggestions to help your social media presence:

  • Do create positive content. Social media can also be a benefit to you. Make LinkedIn connections.
  • Do Google yourself. Know what shows up on an Internet search when people are looking for you and make sure that it is positive and professional.
  • Do keep your pictures clean. Your profile picture should never show alcohol, drugs, or anything that would not be viewed in a positive manner by administrators, parents, and host teachers. Even if you have your profile locked down for privacy, your profile picture still appears. In an article found online, Career Builder noted that more than half of respondents cited inappropriate photos or information and 44 percent mentioned the posting of drug or drinking related content as reasons for turning down a job applicant. Please be aware of your friend’s posts and tags that include you.
  • Do not affiliate with your school placement site or geo-tag your posts from or about the school. This will lead others right to your posts.
  • Remember, it is possible to take a screenshot of Snapchat. “Snaps” or Snapchat posts can last forever.
  • Set your Instagram account to private. That way, you must approve of anyone who views your posts. Remember, if you link your Instagram account with your Twitter or Facebook accounts, others may be able to see individual Instagram posts without accessing your entire profile.
  • Never mention your school in any posts or take pictures of students or their work. It is not your place to post children online and could be violating a student’s privacy by doing this. Even if your host school is social media friendly, you need to refrain from any type of posting of students/school.
  • Never complain about your school, kids, or teaching on your posts. This is a good practice for all professionals.
  • Do not “friend” or “follow” PK-12 students on your personal social media accounts.