Blogging Teacher Gets Her 15 Minutes of Fame on National TV

I was surprised--although I probably shouldn’t have been--when I sat down in front of the television with my first cup of coffee one recent morning.

There she was--the infamous blogging teacher of Central Bucks East High School--appearing on a national television morning news shows in order to state her case to the American public.

And, who was sitting by her side? An attorney. Another shocker.

Yes--I know--"innocent until proven guilty" and everyone is entitled to tell their side of the story before punitive actions are taken by employers.

But Natalie Munroe, the infamous blogging teacher, showed enough media savvy to appear in front of millions of Americans to explain herself by stating:

• Her blogging posts were for other people's eyes and taken out of context.
• Her blog posts about students were charicatures and not about specific kids.
• She says she can't even think about a career change and wants to continue teaching.
• And, her lawyer was quick to point out that free speech--written or oral--is his client's right under the U.S. Constitution.

Of all the points made in the short made-for-television segment, the lawyer's constitutional rights diatribe was the only one that made any sense.

The rest of it? Hogwash, in my opinion.

The infamous blogging teacher may not have named specific students in her posts. But, she knew exactly which students about whom she was blogging.

I can't predict what will occur now that the brouhaha has been thrust into the national spotlight and will likely be dragged through the legal system.

I do know--because this was stated as part of the news report--that the infamous blogging teacher is currently suspended with pay. More the pity. Misbehave and continue to get paid and receive health benefits in a time when thousands of qualified educators are working retail jobs.

This saga will probably be settled in court with a monetary settlement paid to the infamous blogging teacher by the school district, as a means of getting her to disappear quietly.

Since she's pregnant with her second child, any settlement will probably include maternity leave pay.

I believe the worst part of this whole matter is that the school district acted properly by immediately suspending the teacher, but is now being cast in a negative light by being portrayed as over-reactive.

Why? Because the infamous blogging teacher and her attorney sought their 15 minutes of fame on national TV,  seeking sympathy for her plight.

She's probably achieved that and now the sky's the limit.

I think any school district in the country would be crazy to hire this person. But, I won't weep for her. Why?

She'll be offered a book deal, followed by a network reality TV series featuring her teaching high school kids. She will probably become wealthy beyond her wildest dreams.

That blog's discovery will evolve into her personal winning lottery ticket.

Tom De Martini is the editor of Upper Macungie Patch.