'Facebook teacher' gains worldwide press

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'Facebook teacher' gains worldwide press

Posted by

Lorin Sinn-Clark

in Education Archives

Wednesday, February 9. 2011

Comments (12)

News of Ashley Payne’s resignation from Apalachee High School in August 2009 has just put that school and Barrow County, Georgia on the world-wide, on-line news map – and not in a good way.

On Feb. 7, a story titled “Teacher sacked for posting picture of herself holding glass of wine and mug of beer on Facebook,” was posted in London’s Daily Mail. Daily India.com picked the story up on Feb. 8, followed by iol, a South African on-line news source on Feb. 9.

The story starts out, “With a pint of beer in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, the worst thing you could accuse Ashley Payne of is mixing her drink. But this happy holiday snap has cost the high school teacher her job after a parent spotted it on Facebook - and complained.”

A photo the then 24-year-old English teacher posted of herself on vacation in Europe during the summer of 2009 is included, along with a less than flattering description of the events “in the headteacher’s office” (AHS principal David McGee) that led to the “ultimatum” that cost Payne her job.

The story refers to the “anonymous emailer” who tipped the school system off and the “bitter legal battle” Payne is now in with the school system in an attempt to “get her job back.”

Payne is quoted as saying, “I just want to be back in the classroom, if not that classroom, a classroom. I want to get back doing what I went to school for, my passion in life.’

Shortly after resigning, Payne filed suit against the Barrow County School System for violation of the Georgia Fair Dismissal Act. In the fall of 2010, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission reviewed Payne’s case and found no probable cause to issue a sanction. She is still waiting for school system attorneys to finish building their case so that a hearing can be scheduled in Barrow County Superior Court.

Defined tags for this entry: Apalachee High School, Ashley Payne, Education Headlines, Facebook, News, teacher

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#1 Anonymous on 02/09/11 at 06:11 PM [Reply]

...But this happy holiday snap has cost the high school teacher her job after a parent spotted it on Facebook - and complained.”

ALLEGED parent and I can tell you from the wording of the "anonymous e-mail" it wasn't written by a parent!

#2 Winder Citizen on 02/09/11 at 08:56 PM [Reply]

"News of Ashley Payne’s resignation from Apalachee High School in August 2009 has just put that school and Winder, Georgia on the world-wide, on-line news map – and not in a good way".

Not sure how you are getting Winder, Georgia involved in this story. Is the school in Winder? Was any one from Winder, Georgia involved in the decision to get rid of Ms. Payne? Your first sentence leads on to believe The City of Winder was involved. I don't understand.

#3 Anonymous on 02/09/11 at 09:26 PM [Reply]

Even if the county is broke. I hope Ashley cleans the county's clock.

#4 Michelle on 02/10/11 at 05:48 AM [Reply]

I hope she wins. This was absolutely ridiculous!!! Then again, so is Mr. McGee and Apalachee High School. The parent that complained needs to get a life.

#5 CitizenJane on 02/11/11 at 12:41 PM [Reply]

Enjoy that payout Ashley!

Huge news in the realm of social media: The National Labor Relations Board, an independent federal agency charged with safeguarding employees’ rights and holding employers accountable for their labor practices, has ruled that employees’ use of Facebook is legally protected free speech under many circumstances, even when it expresses negative sentiment about their employers.

http://www.geekosystem.com/facebook-free-speech/

#6 Mike M. on 02/11/11 at 03:23 PM [Reply]

Ignorance is not an excuss. She was asked to resign and she did. If she had asked for a hearing she would have gotten one but she didn't ask until after the fact. Sorry folks but this is pretty clear cut.

If working within a bargining agreement, the employer has no obligation to inform the employee of their rights as outlined in the agreement. The teacher's union should have done that but apparently they failed and they along with Asley are the ones to blame.

1. The union should have ensured she was aware of her rights.
2. She should have invoked her right to a hearing.

#6.1 check your facts on 02/12/11 at 06:09 AM [Reply]

there is no teacher's union in Georgia.

#6.1.1 Check yours on 02/12/11 at 09:31 AM [Reply]

All About GAE
The Georgia Association of Educators (or GAE, for short) is a professional organization for public education professionals.
At our heart, GAE is a grassroots organization. Our strength comes from the dedication and involvement of our members. At last count, there are more than 40,000 GAE members across the state. Every one of those voices count in this organization—yours will, too. You see, GAE exists for you.
As an organization, we believe that public educators are the faces on education’s front line. We exist to support, protect, and strengthen those who nurture Georgia’s children. After all, our educational program can be only as good as our educators. For us, standing up for education means standing up for public educators. That’s who we are as an organization. That’s what we believe. And that’s why we exist.

#6.1.2 Mike M. on 02/16/11 at 05:36 PM [Reply]

Ummmm, The GAU?

#6.2 CitizenJane on 02/13/11 at 05:27 PM [Reply]

Hey mike, the Constitution applies whether you're aware of your rights, or not.

#6.2.1 Mike M. on 02/16/11 at 05:34 PM [Reply]

Hey Dummy the rights mentioned have nothing to do with the constitution.

#7 Anonymous on 03/05/11 at 08:19 PM [Reply]

Sheesh, this crap coming up again?!?!?

She had "friended" her students. A student's parent saw her kid's teacher on Facebook drinking. Ashley was confronted. Ashely freaked out and resigned. Ashley looses cause she was young and dumb and didn't take any time to think before she reacted.

The GAPSC went over every email from the county office regarding this and all of Ashley's school email and found that Ashley resigned, all on her own. If there was ANY hint of wanting her to go from the school's emails, the GAPSC would have opened an investigation.

Bottom line - a young foolish teacher should have thought before she did anything and she could probably get another teaching job in another county BUT she is now going to be known as the teacher who made a mistake and sued a school system. She'll be black-balled forever.

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