Teachers across the United States routinely use social media to improve communication with students and parents, enrich the classroom curriculum, and engage in professional conversations with peers. However, teacher use of social media also has a dark side. Media reports are replete with stories of teachers engaging in inappropriate social networking with students. In addition, teachers have also been disciplined for controversial social media content even when students or other members of the school community are not the intended audience. The trending issue of teachers' inappropriate or controversial use of social media amplifies the need for school leaders to be cognizant of teachers' First Amendment free speech rights and the circumstances permitting school control. A framework is proposed for developing social media policies that balance the First Amendment expression rights of teachers and pedagogical benefits of social media with the need for appropriate limitations.