Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for June 17, 2006 DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME...

...because that's where this teacher was when the pictures were taken! Now, the eyes of Texas are upon her...and accuse her of trying to titillate her students.

(Darn...our critics just can't be happy! They proclaim us a boring lot...unwilling or unable to motivate our students...unable to arouse a passion for learning. Then, when someone goes above and beyond the call of duty...attempting to ignite a spark...that person gets burned...at the stake! What's a teacher to do...)

Too bad that this teacher and the Kentucky "porn" teacher don't teach the same subjects...maybe they could have swapped jobs!

Oh, well, from the Houston Chronicle...

Teacher dismissed for online nudity

Art instructor defends photos; school district sees violation of 'higher moral standard'

Associated Press

AUSTIN - Until they found the topless photos, Austin High School officials considered Tamara Hoover a model art teacher with a knack for helping students find their creative streaks.

Now, she's fighting for her job.

The photos, which were posted on Flickr.com by her partner, depict Hoover in the shower, lifting weights, getting dressed, in bed and doing other routine activities.

Her abrupt dismissal highlights a new concern for employees: Your boss has Internet access, too.

"People don't realize when they put their entire diary out there, they're giving very private information to the public," said Kate Brooks, director of career services for liberal arts students at the University of Texas at Austin. "You never know what's going to appeal to someone or disturb someone."

The school district said the photos were inappropriate and violate the "higher moral standard" expected of public school teachers. As a result, she's become an ineffective teacher, she was told as she was escorted out of class last month.

The photos came to light as a result of a feud over ceramics equipment with another art teacher, according to sworn affidavits. Students who had seen the pictures showed the teacher, who then notified school officials.

Taking risks

Colleagues and students dispute the district's characterizations of Hoover.

"I don't view Tamara any different having seen the photographs," said fellow Austin High teacher Robin Lind. "It doesn't make her less credible or less respectable."

Still, experts say it's a risk employees take when posting personal information online. That's particularly true for teachers, said Bill Shaw, professor of law and ethics in business at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas.

"School teachers are supposed to be mature enough not to titillate their students," Shaw said. "A teacher is more or less expected to be a guide or ... demonstrably mature. And this doesn't sound to me like it meets those standards."

Hoover said Friday the photos are art and makes no apologies.

"I'm an artist and I'm going to participate in the arts," Hoover said. "If that's not something they want me to do then I want to be told that. I don't feel as if I was doing anything that was beyond expectations."

Some of her students agree.

Pornography or art?

"Many artists have nude pictures, like Georgia," said student Austen Clements, 16. "If Georgia O'Keeffe wanted to teach at Austin High, I don't think they'd say, 'No, you have nude pictures online.' "

Hundreds of photos of Hoover were part of partner Celesta Danger's online documentary of their lives together.

"I don't think I can be responsible for other peoples' perceptions or reactions when they look at my photos, it has to do with their state of mind at the time," Danger said. "I'm not out to change people's minds, but I'm not a pornographer."

Even in the name of art, Brooks warns her students that it's impossible to predict how potential employers might respond to personal information.

Sites like Flickr and My- Space.com have become popular not only with teenagers and adults, but with companies screening potential employees.

Internet career site CollegeRecruiter.com estimates that about 5 percent of employers research applicants online, but that number is growing.

"We would never tell a student to not put anything on MySpace or take anything down. That's their choice," Brooks said.