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[eznark]

http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9781795&nav=menu1362_2_6

Beaver Dam school officials placed a middle school teacher on administrative leave after discovering a photograph of the teacher with a gun on the teacher's Facebook page.

In the photo, teacher Betsy Ramsdale is training a rifle at the camera.

Ramsdale emailed 27 News in response to our inquiries saying she "removed the photo immediately" and that she is not "interested in any controversy." Ramsdale did not comment on her motivation for posting the photo.

Schools superintendent Donald Childs told 27 News he is unaware of any sinister intent on the teacher's part and said the use of the photo "appears to be poor judgment."

Childs said the Facebook photo was brought to the attention of school district officials by a concerned staff member at Beaver Dam Middle School.

Ramsdale's biography on the school district website states she is in her first year of teaching at the middle school. Department of Public Instruction records show Ramsdale has been licensed to teach since 1996.

Middle school parent Jennifer Buzzell said the teacher's decision to post the photograph was concerning.

"I don't think it's appropriate," Buzzell told 27 News. "I'm not sure why this would be on the computer at all."

"I don't see anything wrong with it," school parent Mark Hagstrom said. "She's on her time to do what she wants."

School parent Chad Van Loo said the photograph sends the wrong message.

"With the way things are going these days, with the kids bringing guns to school and bomb threats, (photograph) is something to be concerned about."

Ramsdale's union representation is through the Beaver Dam Education Association. Association president Janet Schumaker has yet to return a call from 27 News.

Evil middle school teacher owns gun. How terrible. Administrative leave? Really?

 

[Gauhst]

Wow. I just can't believe that.

 

[Skellig Gra]

Standard fare, can't muster up any outrage on this one.

 

[AndresON777]

It's bs she's getting suspended but she should've known better.

I'd like to see a full body shot she dont look that bad in the pic.

 

[eznark]

Should've know better than what, though? What exactly did she do wrong, or how did she exercise poor judgment?

 

[AndresON777]

Should've know better than what, though? What exactly did she do wrong, or how did she exercise poor judgment?

Crazy parents thinking she might be strapped in the class room, might over react and shoot poor johnny.

 

[Deleted member 20415]

It's bs she's getting suspended but she should've known better.

Those two thoughts really should be mutually exclusive.

It IS BS (I'm a gun control nut), but what someone does out of school should not impact their job security. This whole "You're representing us, even when you're not here" junk that employers has been used as a crutch in the recent past.

A gun does not equal gun violence in school. If that's the case and that's the logic they want to take, then a police officer should be fired upon for entering a school with a gun.

Crazy parents thinking she might be strapped in the class room, might over react and shoot poor johnny.

Which is a shame for parents to connect the dots in such an erratic way. So you're scared for Johnny in the classroom after you were cyber stalking his teacher - wouldn't you just CALL the teacher and see what the deal is with the guns, ask her if she locks them up at home, etc.? This should have no bearing on her job security whatsoever.

Crazy ass parents man....

 

[fatigues_gasolini]

At least I know I can rape corpses here without getting in trouble.

Plus, Wisconsin is full of hunters. There really is nothing wrong with the picture.

 

[Artie]

What is it with Wisconsin and Facebook? :lol

 

[Runus]

Should've know better than what, though? What exactly did she do wrong, or how did she exercise poor judgment?

I'd like to know this too. So she has a picture of her holding a gun, big deal. Lots of people own guns, in fact lots of people probably have pictures of them holding guns. Pictures of people holding guns are not illegal last time I checked.

There were actually pictures before the internet, what if some student or parent saw a normal picture not on the internet of her holding a gun, would they be flipping out then? I don't think just because a picture is on the internet she deserves to get into any trouble. It wasn't like she threatened anything. Its just a freaking picture!

 

[Jacobi]

How's the teacher supposed to defend herself against the English queen?

 

[KHarvey16]

Clicked on the Assistant News Director's blog link at the end of the article. Things become much clearer when you read that and realize what sort of intellectual juggernauts are running their news operation there.

 

[eznark]

Crazy parents thinking she might be strapped in the class room, might over react and shoot poor johnny.

What exactly does that have to do with her posing with a gun? And why administrative leave? The secret is out, she owns a gun. If you're going to cow tow to parents shouldn't you go all out and fire her?

I do find it humorous that the complaining parents would be worried about someone over reacting.

What is it with Wisconsin and Facebook?

No shit!

 

[Deleted member 20415]

Also, if there was a picture of her with a beer, would she have been put on leave for fear she would serve minors in the middle of Social Studies class? Fuck sake....

 

[fallengorn]

 

[AndresON777]

I think it's just the way she is pointing the gun towards the camera it looks a bit 'gangsta'



Like if she was drinking a beer it wouldnt be as bad as if she were pouring it over herself

 

[Deleted member 20415]

(neutral) ChrisGoldstein
shooting blanks
(Today, 11:55 AM)
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[Kildace]

As an anti-gun european, I think this is bullshit. If a teacher does a good job in their classroom they should be allowed to do what they please outside of it. Don't like your child's teacher? You're free to make him switch schools.

 

[thetrin]

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but pointing a gun at a camera is just all kinds of bad. She shouldn't have been suspended from work, but at the same time, jobs leak into real life. Living in japan, that is more than apparent.

You just have to conduct yourself at all times like people associated with your job are watching...because they probably are.

 

[ToyMachine228]

Pretty lame. She has the protected right to bear arms in her personal life. How many male teachers in the country are also hunters? Quite a few I'd imagine.

 

[fatigues_gasolini]

I registered to leave a comment if you guys have a big exposition for the assistant news director.

 

[AndresON777]

As an anti-gun european, I think this is bullshit. If a teacher does a good job in their classroom they should be allowed to do what they please outside of it. Don't like your child's teacher? You're free to make him switch schools.

Not really I guess it depends on the state but only the closest school will pick up your child with their bus.

Public schools of course which I imagine this is.

 

[KHarvey16]

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but pointing a gun at a camera is just all kinds of bad.

Why?

 

[eznark]

Not really I guess it depends on the state but only the closest school will pick up your child with their bus.

Public schools of course which I imagine this is.

Yeah, Beaver Dam isn't a huge town, I'm pretty sure the options are rather limited. That said, isn't owning a gun something you would worry about? If so, why? Especially if you live in Wisconsin for God's sakes.

I registered to leave a comment if you guys have a big exposition for the assistant news director.

My uncle is heading down to the station tonight (he lives in Beaver Dam, I actually think one of his daughters is a teacher there) to talk to the guy, he says. This is what really pissed him off (from the news director), and he wants to know what is so disgusting about exercising a constitutional right.

But, as a parent, I find the picture disgusting. I wouldn’t want her teaching my child! Gun play in that fashion is not a joke. If it had been a picture of her out hunting, shooting a deer…fine! I have no problem with that. But, to be pointing a rifle like that right at the camera, looking through the scope!!! Why?

 

[thesoapster]

Stupid decision, really (on the school's part).

 

[Barrett2]

It would probably be unnerving to see your child's teacher pointing a gun at the camera in a Facebook pic. That kind of thing would warrant some questions.

 

[Steve Youngblood]

I'm torn here. On the one hand, I agree that punishment is completely unjustified here, as she has every right to own and use a gun, and it has no relevance to her performance as a teacher.

On the other hand, I love seeing people learn the hard lessons that social networking sites aren't as private as you think, and that you should really be careful with what you post and allow to be posted about you on them.

 

[eznark]

It would probably be unnerving to see your child's teacher pointing a gun at the camera in a Facebook pic. That kind of thing would warrant some questions.

Why?

 

[Barrett2]

Why?

People who are around children for their job should expect a heightened level of scrutiny of their behavior and actions.

I don't understand how the school can suspend them for doing something not illegal and not really "bad," so I suspect the suspension was bureaucratic over-reacting BS, but I would definitely bring the teacher in to talk to them about it at least.

 

[eznark]

People who are around children for their job should expect a heightened level of scrutiny of their behavior and actions.

I don't understand how the school can suspend them for doing something not illegal and not really "bad," so I suspect the suspension was bureaucratic over-reacting BS, but I would definitely bring the teacher in to talk to them about it at least.

I don't disagree, I just can't imagine what her bad behavior or action is in this instance. If she was Phelps'in a bong I could see it, holding a rifle in a state know for hunting? I don't get it.

 

[Barrett2]

I don't disagree, I just can't imagine what her bad behavior or action is in this instance. If she was Phelps'in a bong I could see it, holding a rifle in a state know for hunting? I don't get it.

I think I need to see the photo to get a feel for this. If it is a playful picture clearly depicting someone who just enjoys hunting, then no big deal. But if they have some crazed look on their face, pointing an AK-47 at the camera with gritted teeth and a Nazi flag barely visible in the next room... then we have a crazy person.

 

[AndresON777]

I'm all for gun rights but she teaches middle school, she's a role model. Phelps is not a teacher though I guess he could be looked at as a role model, but come on 6 gold medals for America!

It only takes one complaint from a parent to give the school bad press, it's the world we live in and to hold certain jobs you have to maintain a certain image.

A parent that is anti-gun doesnt want to see this because they may think that this will encourage their kids to be interested in guns in the future since their teacher has one.

And to make it worse she's pointing it into the camera like it's a cool thing to do.

 

[Steve Youngblood]

Why?

Let's change tactics, here.

I'm a teacher. I also like to drink on the weekends. Just because I'm a teacher doesn't mean that I have to stop going out and having a good time on the weekends. If a parent runs in to me at a bar, it's really not any of their concern.

Having said that, if I was, in fact, a teacher, rest assured that I wouldn't be uploading pictures of me at parties or bars. If I was tagged in said photos, I would be removing that flag or requesting that picture's removal. Photos don't come with a context, and if someone views my profile, sees me partying in many of my photos, then this doesn't reflect well on me. It doesn't matter whether or not it SHOULD reflect on me, but it does.

Therefore, I can take two courses of action. I can either stand my ground, do what I want, and tell people it's not of their business to begin with. Or, and this one is easier, I can just acknowledge that social networking sites are largely trivial to begin with and cater to attention whores, and be aware that if I'm going to have a profile up, I need to be aware of not just who I want my audience to be, but also who I might not want it to be and act accordingly.

 

[eznark]

A role model who exercises their constitutional right, what an awful example to set for the children.

 

[Barrett2]

A role model who exercises their constitutional right, what an awful example to set for the children.

But that doesn't mean you should act in bad taste. A school teacher who reasonably knows kids and their parents will look at their page shouldn't be posting anything that will give the parents or the teacher's employer any reason to worry or have to take some kind of action.

I don't know, I guess whenever I read about stories like this its hard for me to feel sympathy for the person. It reminds me of the obnoxious dude at everyone's work who tells inappropriate and sexist jokes, but also bitches constantly about what a "politically correct" society we live in. I think this is just another story where the perpetrator is using the "OMG the world is too PC!" argument as an excuse for his lack of common sense.

 

[Roughmar]

I'm all for gun rights but she teaches middle school, she's a role model. Phelps is not a teacher though I guess he could be looked at as a role model, but come on 6 gold medals for America!

It only takes one complaint from a parent to give the school bad press, it's the world we live in and to hold certain jobs you have to maintain a certain image.

A parent that is anti-gun doesnt want to see this because they may think that this will encourage their kids to be interested in guns in the future since their teacher has one.

And to make it worse she's pointing it into the camera like it's a cool thing to do.

It actually is a cool thing to do if you do it right. There are some interesting photos taken that just spell badasserie extraordinaire.

And I am anti-gun.

It kinda makes me sad that teachers are blamed a lot in these problems by parents that are fucked up in the head.

 

[captive]

I cant wait till the time when the gen y and younger start running for congress and president.

should be good times.

 

[CharlieDigital]

I think this is just another story where the perpetrator OP is using the "OMG the world is too PC!" argument as an excuse for his lack of common sense.

You meant OP, right?

 

[Steve Youngblood]

A role model who exercises their constitutional right, what an awful example to set for the children.

Here's a question to ask. Would I pass this photo around on Monday for show and tell? If the answer is no, I probably don't want the photo posted on the internet for all to see.

The constitution doesn't prevent her from having sex with her husband. Does that mean that she shouldn't be held accountable for their home sex video being posted on the internet?

 

[CharlieDigital]

The constitution doesn't prevent her from having sex with her husband. Does that mean that she shouldn't be held accountable for their home sex video being posted on the internet?

ohsnap.gif

 

[charlequin]

Should've know better than what, though? What exactly did she do wrong, or how did she exercise poor judgment?

By letting her Facebook be viewable by co-workers, students, or parents of students?

 

[PrivateWHudson]

Here's a question to ask. Would I pass this photo around on Monday for show and tell? If the answer is no, I probably don't want the photo posted on the internet for all to see.

The constitution doesn't prevent her from having sex with her husband. Does that mean that she shouldn't be held accountable for their home sex video being posted on the internet?

No, she shouldn't be held accountable. The students would never see the video because minors aren't allowed to view pornographic material.

 

[Skiptastic]

Shouldn't there be more false outrage at the school official who ratted her out? I thought the article said something about a co-worker brought this up. WHO'S THE FUCKING NARC?

 

[Steve Youngblood]

No, she shouldn't be held accountable. The students would never see the video because minors aren't allowed to view pornographic material.

Ah, yes. I remember shaking my fist at those "Proceed if you are over the age of 18" welcome pages when I was in middle school.

 

[eznark]

Here's a question to ask. Would I pass this photo around on Monday for show and tell? If the answer is no, I probably don't want the photo posted on the internet for all to see.

The constitution doesn't prevent her from having sex with her husband. Does that mean that she shouldn't be held accountable for their home sex video being posted on the internet?

I would see no problem with her having the photo on her desk. I can't think of a logical reason why should would pass it out for show and tell, but if she thought there was some sort of teaching moment there, sure.

No, she shouldn't. The parent who lets their kid visit porn sites should. Unless of course, the teacher points the kids to the video, which would be criminal as they are middle schoolers and underage.

 

[Phobophile]

Since when does the redneck Midwest have a problem with guns?

This is Madison, WI, not Chicago.

 

[Steve Youngblood]

I would see no problem with her having the photo on her desk. I can't think of a logical reason why should would pass it out for show and tell, but if she thought there was some sort of teaching moment there, sure.

No, she shouldn't. The parent who lets their kid visit porn sites should. Unless of course, the teacher points the kids to the video, which would be criminal as they are middle schoolers and underage.

And if that's your philosophy, then so be it. If it were me, though, I wouldn't do any of the things that I mentioned. Why? Because I live in society, understand its conventions, and realize the consequences of bringing potentially undesired attention to myself by making stuff like this publicly available. Especially if I was a teacher, I would know to keep my private life private, regardless of my own righteous indignation.

 

[eznark]

And if that's your philosophy, then so be it. If it were me, though, I wouldn't do any of the things that I mentioned. Why? Because I live in society, understand its conventions, and realize the consequences of bringing potentially undesired attention to myself by making stuff like this publicly available. Especially if I was a teacher, I would know to keep my private life private, regardless of my own righteous indignation.

I had teachers in grade school and high school who would bring in pictures of the results of various hunting and fishing trips, particularly if they got a nice buck. In most instances they posed beside the deer or turkey with their gun. No one was ever outraged, and believe it or not we were able to function societally.

 

[adamsappel]

I would see no problem with her having the photo on her desk. I can't think of a logical reason why should would pass it out for show and tell, but if she thought there was some sort of teaching moment there, sure.

Oh, come on, eznark. I think the school is being hasty and heavy-handed, but that's certainly an inappropriate photo for a teacher to have on their desk. There's nothing wrong with low-cut blouses and miniskirts, but they are inappropriate teacher attire in the classroom.

 

[Flo_Evans]

WTF really? Facebook fucks so many people over. :lol