Teacher fired for getting pregnant weeks before marriage

[Jennasis]

Wow.

http://www.zimbio.com/Jaretta+Hamilton/articles/Ka_NjVMkl1s/Jaretta+Hamilton+Fired+Fornication

I understand that the school is a private school and a Christian school, but you'd think they'd have added some sort of morality clause to the teacher's contracts that spelled out the specific things they could be terminated for.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

eh, private christian schools have the right to fire people if they want. my husband works for a public university and can be fired at will. no difference in my opinion.

I've been around several christian schools and none would keep a teacher who was pregnant before marriage.

 

[NikitaZee]

I just saw this on the Today show. Unbelievable that the school would fire her for this - and that a school official actually asked her when she conceived her baby. I hope she wins her suit, and all the attention to her case brings her a great teaching offer.

 

[Rora]

I hope she wins her suit. I understand a private school has the "right" to fire at will but this screams discrimination to me..

 

[Jennasis]

Also, the school apparently informed the entire staff and the parents of her students that she was fired AND the reason she was fired.

 

[chasbos]

The private schools and Catholic schools in our area do make you sign a morality clause that states reason for termination before you are hired.

And I know that the teachers around here really like having a job so they abide by the morals that they are teaching their students.

 

[loveadobie]

I can believe they did this. To announce this and the reason for it was probably to set her as an example.

Being a private Christian school they can set the rules. Sorry

 

[Mermaid02]

Do employees have to sign contracts saying they will abstain from premarital sex? If they have never been married do they have to prove they have never had sex- and how exactly would one do that?

I hope she wins- I bet there are others working there who have much scarier skeletons in their closets.

 

[tomthebarncat]

The private schools and Catholic schools in our area do make you sign a morality clause that states reason for termination before you are hired.

And I know that the teachers around here really like having a job so they abide by the morals that they are teaching their students.

I guess it is ok for priests, etc to molest little kids but heaven forbid some adult woman gets pregnant. My dad used to say the religion was the largest tax shelter in the world, I think he was right!

 

[Jennasis]

The private schools and Catholic schools in our area do make you sign a morality clause that states reason for termination before you are hired.

And I know that the teachers around here really like having a job so they abide by the morals that they are teaching their students.

The couple said that there was no morality contract.

 

[DrCavin]

I would assume she knew about the clause in her contract, so she snubbed her nose at the clause and now she is mad they fired her - Oh the age of rules apply to everyone but me....

 

[The Mystery Machine]

It is a private Christian school. She knew the rules. I am having a hardtime with outrage over her firing.

 

[kamik86]

I am not surprised.

My mom worked for a church for a while and they made sure the insurance specifically didn't cover birth control.

My sister was also not allowed to continue teaching sunday school because they found out she was living with her boyfriend.

When my other sister was making her confirmation another student was not allowed to go though the confirmation ceremony becasue she was pregnant. Funny enough I learned this when that same woman was later my Sunday school teacher (after she married the guy of course).

So yeah this doesn't surprise me at all.

 

[princessmom29]

She is saying that there was not any type of morality clause in her contract, so I don't think the school has a legal leg to stand on here. If they wanted to be able to fire for moral issues, it whould have been in the contract. Telling everyone the reason for dismissing her is also goingto get them into trouble because she did not violate her teaching contract in any way, if there was truly no such clasue.

Eta: from the article it appears that this is an interacial couple. Around here christian schools are notorious for finding any reason they can for getting rid of teachers in interracial relationships. It could have very well contributed to her dismissal.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I am not seeing where it states that the school announced the reason for her dismissal publicly (until she protested and then I think they have a right ti make a statement in their defense). If I am simply missing that--I think such a public announcement was out of line.
Otherwise, while I have no issue with premarital sex, the teacher should have known the school did and should not be surprised that she has been fired. Honestly, I am surprised with only a 3 week difference that she told anyone when she became pregnant--I would have answered that I do not talk about such things in public had someone asked me in her situation.

My nieces used to go to a private Christian School. Their favourite teacher was fired for teaching a yoga class at a community center because the school said the eastern origins of yoga were in conflict with Christianity (and yes they put the reason for this in the newsletter for all to see). My sister in law thought his was over the top nutty and pulled her girls from the school. But, if teaching a basic yoga class can get you fired from such a school I am sure unwed pregnancy is an obvious one to the staff.

ETA--I do not think most Christian schools would fire someone for teaching a yoga class--in fact, even though I am not Christina, I think many great Christian schools are out there.

 

[mom2boys77]

I completely agree.

It is a private Christian school. She knew the rules. I am having a hardtime with outrage over her firing.

 

[OceanAnnie]

It is a private Christian school. She knew the rules. I am having a hardtime with outrage over her firing.

I agree about it being a private Christian school.

Also, the school apparently informed the entire staff and the parents of her students that she was fired AND the reason she was fired.

I think this will be a big sticking point. That shouldn't have happened. I don't think they were treated well at all. I think their rights were violated with those actions. The case may hinge on this.

 

[NY Disney fan]

I'm on the fence about this. I don't think she should be fired for this or charged with fornication but if you work at a private Christian school what kind of example are you setting? Where do you draw the line in the sand that say A is acceptable and B is not. Christians really emphasize that sex is sacred and not to be taken lightly so her actions have resonated loud and clear. On the other hand, the school needs to show the student body what compassion and forgivness really is.

 

[Jennasis]

In the interview, she went in to request maternity leave, and the principle did some quick math in his head and asked her "when did you get married again?". She told him and then he asked her if she got pregnant before they got married (3 weeks before they got married BTW). I agree though she should have just said "I don't discuss my medical status with anyone but my doctor and husband".

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/37683676#37683676
Here is the story from The Today Show.


I'm just wondering how clear the "rules" were. You'd think if she knew that there was a no sex clause, she would've kept her mouth shut to the principle. The couple did clearly state that there was no morality clause in her contract and I haven't seen the school counter with "she signed a morality contract".

 

[Wishing on a star]

It is a private Christian school. She knew the rules. I am having a hardtime with outrage over her firing.

Me three....

I have to think that the title of this thread is just more sensationalist 'teacher's drama'.

I wonder, do teachers really think that they are some kind of protected class or something?