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Teachers blogging anonymously

First of all, this blogger has some empathy for those who choose to blog anonymously due to work constraints.  I did so for a year while in a different line of work.  We’ve all heard the usual reasons: it could put my job in jeopardy, I don’t want to harm my current employer, I fear retribution, et cetera. 

However, that empathy starts to hit some limits when anonymous bloggers start lobbing hand grenades at their current employers or dishing dirt on co-workers.  I’m not necessarily saying they shouldn’t let their hair down in the blogosphere–sometimes certain workplace shenanigans deserve a bit of sunlight, and having a place to vent can be therapeutic–but said blogger knows or should be aware that he/she is taking an awfully big risk by doing so. (Note: during the time I blogged anonymously, I never wrote about work at all.)

As you might have surmised, all this is inspired by the suspension/firing of a Chicago teacher who blogged anonymously and very critically about his high school.  (The original blog has since been taken off of Blogspot, but go here for a sample post.  Warning: graphic in places.)  The thing is, he’s hardly alone–there are plenty of other teachers blogging anonymously. 

So I’m curious.  I’d like to hear from other anonymous teacherbloggers out there.  (Note the qualification: I’m specifically looking to hear from teachers who are blogging incognito.)  Here are my questions:

  1. Why do you blog? 
  2. How concerned are you that your identity will be revealed?  Are there any measures you’ve taken to help protect your anonymity?
  3. How much do you blog about school?  If you do blog about events at school, can you explain why? 
  4. What has your best blogging moment been?  Your worst?  

In the effort to protect identities, feel free to post answers to these questions on your own blog; link back to the post, and we should get a trackback.  If you prefer, you can forward me responses to editorREMOVETHIS at edspresso dot com and I’ll post them.  (Yes, of course your identity will stay completely confidential.)