Teacher Loses Job Due to Porn Past

Have you read the story of a California middle school teacher that was fired from her job because she appeared in pornographic movies before she started teaching?  A California judge recently ruled that the teacher can NOT get her job back because she was in porn because it will impede her from being an effective and respected teacher/colleague.  Here’s a link to the judge’s ruling and more on the story:

http://news.yahoo.com/judges-calif-middle-school-teacher-cant-shake-porn-094317714.html

As I researched the story more, it seems that the teacher was only in porn for about eight months and it was before she was employed by the school.  It was due to financial reasons after she separated from her boyfriend.  It also seems that she hid or lied about being in porn because she was embarrassed and humiliated and in all honesty who wouldn’t be.  I can see why you wouldn’t offer up this information and then try and hide or deny it when it does become public.  I’m sure this was an awful part of this young woman’s life that she probably regrets every moment of her life.

Maybe it’s me but if this woman is qualified to be a teacher why shouldn’t she be allowed to teach?  She didn’t do anything illegal, starring in pornographic videos is not against the law and while some may object to it, a woman (or man) can do whatever they want to do with their body within the law.  The judge’s decision stated that the teachers decision to “engage in pornography was incompatible with her responsibilities as a role model for students.” Everyday you hear about infidelity of our leaders, hell, even the former President of the United States (Bill Clinton) cheated on his wife with a young intern while in office.  Now look at him, he’s one of the most popular former Presidents and he is a sought after public speaker.  I’m sure a lot of people look to him as a role model.  There are countless others in politics, sports and other areas of life.

While she may not be everyone’s ideal role model, you could make the argument that she should be looked up to as a role model.  This woman was down financially and unfortunately had to do some terrible things I’m sure she regrets but then she got herself out of that situation and now is working as a teacher.  I’m sure it was hard road to do what she did and her story must be amazing.  Maybe her story could help young woman not make the same mistakes she made and her life experiences could be a very valuable life lesson to these woman to not only stay in school but not rely on a man to support them.

I also wonder how many of our teachers have checkered pasts but because they aren’t plastered over the internet they are allowed to keep teaching.  How many teachers did questionable things in college?  Maybe they were a part of a fraternity or sonority that hazed other people, or maybe they drank obscenely in college, perhaps they even slept around a little.  I wonder how many regret what actions they may have done when they were younger or in college.  Yet, they are the ones that get to decide the fate of this poor young woman.  Maybe it’s me but if this teacher is qualified for her job, she should be able to teach. 

Maybe, just maybe, we should try and keep minors off these porn internet sites that you have to be 18 to access.  Where are the parents or other teachers that are allowing their children to look at these sites and actually condoned trying to find her old videos?  The article makes it look like teachers and students were actively trying to find her videos, even making it seem like they tried at school.  Where is the punishment for their acts?

What do you think of this story?