Teacher standards: Inspired by porn video

[disney junky]

A thread appeared a couple days ago about a teacher who was suspended for a past appearance in a porn video. As I understand it, her contract won't be renewed.

Out of curiosity, outside of the obvious things like child abuse, sexual misconduct, dealing drugs to students, when should a teacher be suspended?

I offer a few examples.

Should a driver ed teacher be dismissed if he is arrested for DUI?

Should any teacher be dismissed for DUI?

If a teacher found himself in a situation where he was facing a rehab situation similar to the recent congressman's, would that warrant a suspension?

What if a teacher finds himself suffering from some mental difficulty, say depression over the loss of a loved one, a failed marriage, or a similar situations, how should that be handled?

I know there aren't hard and fast answers. If you know anyone who has been through this, what happened?

Discuss...

 

[MAKmom]

A thread appeared a couple days ago about a teacher who was suspended for a past appearance in a porn video. As I understand it, her contract won't be renewed.

Out of curiosity, outside of the obvious things like child abuse, sexual misconduct, dealing drugs to students, when should a teacher be suspended?

I offer a few examples.

Should a driver ed teacher be dismissed if he is arrested for DUI?

YES

Should any teacher be dismissed for DUI?
YES

If a teacher found himself in a situation where he was facing a rehab situation similar to the recent congressman's, would that warrant a suspension?

YES

What if a teacher finds himself suffering from some mental difficulty, say depression over the loss of a loved one, a failed marriage, or a similar situations, how should that be handled?

Since most in a Depression can not get to work or out of bed that takes care of itself.

I know there aren't hard and fast answers. If you know anyone who has been through this, what happened?

Discuss...

The Teacher is taking care of my Child & what they say & do can affect her forever. Get a year sober & we can talk. If your an Alcoholic/Drug addict you have way more problems than the drugs/booze. A DUI is advertisng to the world "I HAVE PROBLEMS". Please Help.

 

[CheshireVal]

I'm pretty sure that teachers lose certification if convicted of a DUI here in Georgia.

I don't think teachers should be punished for depression, which is a mental disease. Plenty of people who are clinically depressed can get out of bed and go to work. Depression can be treated, so really I think it's ridiculous to say that someone should be fired for it.

 

[golfgal]

A thread appeared a couple days ago about a teacher who was suspended for a past appearance in a porn video. As I understand it, her contract won't be renewed.

Out of curiosity, outside of the obvious things like child abuse, sexual misconduct, dealing drugs to students, when should a teacher be suspended?

I offer a few examples.

Should a driver ed teacher be dismissed if he is arrested for DUI?

Should any teacher be dismissed for DUI?

If a teacher found himself in a situation where he was facing a rehab situation similar to the recent congressman's, would that warrant a suspension?

What if a teacher finds himself suffering from some mental difficulty, say depression over the loss of a loved one, a failed marriage, or a similar situations, how should that be handled?

I know there aren't hard and fast answers. If you know anyone who has been through this, what happened?

Discuss...

How about we pose this same question for other occupations, how about doctors, lawyers, policemen, firemen, electrical linemen?

Should teachers be suspended for a DUI, should YOU be suspended from your work for a DUI? Are all people in your occupation perfect? Do any of the people in your occupation every have problems?

No, a teacher shouldn't be suspended for a DUI but they should seek help. We had a teacher in our district that got a DUI, went to rehab with disability pay. I see nothing wrong with that. People make mistakes. Perhaps if a teacher has multiple DUI's and doesn't seek help, that would be a different story.

 

[barkley]

with a standard dui i would say disciplinary action is appropriate. however, there have been a few cases wherein individuals have taken perscription meds that had no published warnings of impairing one's ability to drive, and the person had an odd reaction resulting in a dui standing in court. in that case it was not a choice, not predictable and in my opinion should not reflect negativly on the teacher.

as a person who has suffered from depression and gotten out of bed and actualy over achieved at work (not all depressions are demonstrated through a slowing down and emotional lows)-i would have to say it depends on how the individual and their work is impacted.

i don't know the rehab situation you are speaking of, but if an indivudal has become addicted to perscription meds (and that can happen with non mood altering, non pain diminishing drugs as well as those more commonly thought of) and finds the need to seek rehab, i think it would be of benefit to them to be absent from their classes during that period of time to facilitate the healing-but i do not see it as something that should preclude them from returning to their job.

in my opinion, for too long teachers have been held up as the pillars of society-pefect in every way. i think this lent itself to the abuses that have occured within the profession-students were told to listen, believe and obey a teacher's every word and command without question. unfortunatly there were some who took advantage of this attitude. i think kids should be taught that teachers are people too-and the same problems that may befall the rest of us apply to them as well.

 

[jgmklmhem]

How about we pose this same question for other occupations, how about doctors, lawyers, policemen, firemen, electrical linemen?

Should teachers be suspended for a DUI, should YOU be suspended from your work for a DUI? Are all people in your occupation perfect? Do any of the people in your occupation every have problems?

No, a teacher shouldn't be suspended for a DUI but they should seek help. We had a teacher in our district that got a DUI, went to rehab with disability pay. I see nothing wrong with that. People make mistakes. Perhaps if a teacher has multiple DUI's and doesn't seek help, that would be a different story.

People who work with children...like it or not are held to a different standard. In many states they have to have a criminal background check before even starting. I for my job didn't. I don't work with children. I agree in at least a 2 strike policy. In the case of DUI I would give one chance but after that you are fired. Depression is not black and white because there are many variations. I would think suspension would be in order if job performance suffers due to it.

 

[MAKmom]

How about we pose this same question for other occupations, how about doctors, lawyers, policemen, firemen, electrical linemen?

Should teachers be suspended for a DUI, should YOU be suspended from your work for a DUI? Are all people in your occupation perfect? Do any of the people in your occupation every have problems?

No, a teacher shouldn't be suspended for a DUI but they should seek help. We had a teacher in our district that got a DUI, went to rehab with disability pay. I see nothing wrong with that. People make mistakes. Perhaps if a teacher has multiple DUI's and doesn't seek help, that would be a different story.

Your other examples are not the same as a teacher. Children are at the mercy of a teacher. They are not adults who can walk away from strange behavior. They need a higher standard than other people. Why? We are talking about MY DD.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

how about this: male teacher stars in local production of "The Full Monty"? I am not sure where I stand on it - but I think it sets up a double standard. Is it really OK for a male in a theater production, but not OK for a female in a magazine and such? Is it OK for laughs, but not OK for male perusal, etc? Who draws the line?

 

[Planogirl]

I think that everyone should be allowed one strike. People make mistakes and get into bad situations even "perfect" teachers. I doubt that kids would find out about a DUI anyway.

As for a male teacher performing in a production such as The Full Monty, I do think that context is important. There's nothing overtly sexual about The Full Monty and that will make a big difference to most parents I imagine. Should it? I don't know.

Finally, the idea of someone being fired for being depressed is horrifying. It's an illness, normally treatable, and firing a depressed person is downright abusive if not illegal.

 

[golfgal]

Your other examples are not the same as a teacher. Children are at the mercy of a teacher. They are not adults who can walk away from strange behavior. They need a higher standard than other people. Why? We are talking about MY DD.

Any you are at the mercy of your doctor, lawyer, electrical lineman, etc. I see that is is not different for them then it is for a teacher. If teachers are held up to the standard that they can NEVER make a mistake there goes all the teachers. According to most medical professionals, alcoholism is a disease just as mental illness so why should that be treated any differently. Again, if you are held to those same standards in your profession then you can ask that of others.

 

[California Girl]

Your other examples are not the same as a teacher. Children are at the mercy of a teacher. They are not adults who can walk away from strange behavior. They need a higher standard than other people. Why? We are talking about MY DD.

Following that logic, a parent who has a drug, alcohol, or mental problem should be removed as parent, for surely that child is at the mercy of the parent, and that parent had a greater influence on the child than the teacher, and the children are not adults who can walk away from strange behavior.

Another one.....

What about an unmarried pregnant woman teacher. A few years ago that would have gotten you fired for sure in a lot of parts of the country.

 

[MinnieM3]

Following that logic, a parent who has a drug, alcohol, or mental problem should be removed as parent, for surely that child is at the mercy of the parent, and that parent had a greater influence on the child than the teacher, and the children are not adults who can walk away from strange behavior.

Another one.....

What about an unmarried pregnant woman teacher. A few years ago that would have gotten you fired for sure in a lot of parts of the country.

Along with parents who smoke in front of their children! Take those kids away!

 

[bicker]

Children are at the mercy of a teacher.

And they're not at the "mercy" of a police officer?

 

[ozarkmom]

I want my children's teachers to be qualified to TEACH!! Obviously I don't want a child molester or a convicted felon teaching my kids but I don't think they have to be held to a higher moral standard than anyone else. If a teacher gets a DUI I don't think that should be an automatic dismissal. I would expect that teacher to address their problem and if they will not or cannot do that then yes dismiss them. Now if your a bus driver then of course you should be fired. I'd hate to lose a good teacher over one mistake that I don't feel should have a direct impact on students. Before people start screaming what about setting an example. Well do you take kids out of their homes for a dui? Who should be the most important person to teach your children by example?

 

[jryno28]

Funny that this topic keeps popping up, as we just had a meeting about it in my school last week. In my state, PA, there are set standards that are used. Surprisingly, most teachers don't know about them. Most of them stem from court cases fought years ago. The one most shocking to us was the inability of teachers to wear "any form of religious garb" therefore we are not allowed to wear a Cross necklace, star of David, etc. As for the DUI, it is clearly stated, dismissal will come after the 2nd DUI. Treatment is after the 1st. Sleeping at your desk, was mentioned as a reason for dismissal! Also, any form of incompetence, inability to perform your job. There were more, but I can't remember....hence the teachers not knowing about them all....but I have the list at school, if you all want to know more.

 

[Fortuosity]

Teacher standards: Inspired by porn video

Things must have really changed over the years since I went to school...

 

[Marseeya]

Funny that this topic keeps popping up, as we just had a meeting about it in my school last week. In my state, PA, there are set standards that are used. Surprisingly, most teachers don't know about them. Most of them stem from court cases fought years ago. The one most shocking to us was the inability of teachers to wear "any form of religious garb" therefore we are not allowed to wear a Cross necklace, star of David, etc. As for the DUI, it is clearly stated, dismissal will come after the 2nd DUI. Treatment is after the 1st. Sleeping at your desk, was mentioned as a reason for dismissal! Also, any form of incompetence, inability to perform your job. There were more, but I can't remember....hence the teachers not knowing about them all....but I have the list at school, if you all want to know more.

I'd like to hear more. I'll be teaching in PA.

I think, to a certain degree, that anyone performing a public service should be held to a higher standard. Teachers, doctors, lawyers, policemen, firemen, judges, magistrates... who else? However, I don't believe we should be held to past actions (with the exception of anything involving a child). If that were the case, we'd have a huge shortage in those professions!

 

[bicker]

That's an important point: If we legitimately want to apply standards outside competence and capability, then we're going to have to be willing to pay more taxes (since in each case the folks we're talking about are paid from tax revenues).

Who here wants to pay more taxes?

 

[disney junky]

deleted

 

[MAKmom]

And they're not at the "mercy" of a police officer?

No my children have never been at the mercy of a police officer. They are in a school without a parents from 9-3 five days a week.

I am not at the mercy of my Doctors I have a choice who I see & I can leave at any time. My children can not.

Children are taken away from parents with Drug & Alcohol problems who are CAUGHT not taking care of them. Then given back when they are clean & sober.

A year sober for a teacher with a Drug/Alcohol problem is not unreasonable to expect.