Training in place to prevent inappropriate relationships

Before newly hired teachers ever set foot in a suburban classroom, they typically go through training on how to avoid inappropriate relationships with students.

Young teachers who are just a few years older than their high school-age students and just as active on social media websites like Facebook often confront a special set of pitfalls.

“We warn them of some of the problems that can occur with the social networks and being a couple of years in age with the seniors, said Tom Tully, president of the Glenbard Education Association, the teachers union in Glenbard High School District 87.

Naperville Unit District 203 officials are drafting a social networking policy for staff and students that prohibits teachers from playing online games with students and friending students on social media websites.

Training for new teachers typically covers issues such as inappropriate relationships, sexual harassment prevention and avoiding behaviors that could lead to wrongful accusations. For example, the teachers union in Dist. 87 tells teachers to keep classroom doors open when meeting with students and not to have private meetings after school.

Daily Herald staff writers Marco Santana and Elisabeth Mistretta contributed to this report.