Teacher Defends Blog Insulting Students As 'Freedom of Speech'

Natalie Munroe (Image Via ABC)
Pennsylvania teacher Natalie Munroe called her student an “utter jerk,” others “out of control” and “rude, lazy, disengaged whiners.” Yet when administrators at her school suspended her for her public diatribes, which also insult school officials and other teachers, she defends her actions. “I don’t think I did anything wrong,” she said in an interview with ABC News.
“I was writing it not about anyone specific, they were caricatures of students that I’ve had over the years…it was meant tongue and cheek for myself and my friends, it was not for mass consumption…I’m sorry that it was taken out of context but I stand by what I said,” Munroe said.
Munroe further says that she has done more than just write about her students’ problems. She says she talks with students who are having trouble, but her efforts are unsuccessful. “Nothing ever changes, things are swept under the rug…sometimes things are addressed but they don’t change. It’s not like I was in my room typing things out and not trying to make changes where they should be made.”
Even if Munroe’s blog was not intended for public reading, it was indeed published in a public format. The school is investigating her blog, and the findings “certainly could result in termination” said the superintendent. Munroe’s attorney, Steve Rovner, says that his client did not violate any school policies, and is protected by her first amendment rights.
The blog has been taken down, but its contents are still readily available online.
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