5 Comments so far

Anonymous on February 14, 2006 3:55 pm

1. Tough but important questions. I think when a person makes the decision to become a teacher and influence the lives of the children he or she works with, that is a committment they need to take seriously. I think as long as the student is still in school, then there is no exception. A teacher in this situation should lose their job I feel. If they push the limits, they need to feel the consequences. It’s a priviledge to have a driver’s license and that can be taken away for doing something wrong, then I feel a teacher should have their license taken away as well. We tell our students to keep their hormones in line, maybe a few of the teachers need to as well!

   As for the responsibility, it takes two so it’s not just the teacher’s fault. As far as punishment goes for the student, I’m not sure what could be done. I’ll think about that!

Bob Cook on February 15, 2006 11:33 am

2. Nate, what brought up this subject?

Nate Westre on February 15, 2006 12:53 pm

3. Good point Bob, I should probably clarify. There was an allegation a week or two ago that a teacher and a student were having a relationship outside of school and got caught. That led to an investigation by the school administrators, but as far as I know nothing was uncovered, and the teacher is still at school.

Anonymous on February 17, 2006 8:45 am

4. Being a parent of children not yet in HS, but in JR High and elementary, I have pondered what I would do in this situation as a parent. I would definately want a thourough investigation ran, not only on the teacher, but also on my child.

   I know now where my children are at all times….but I also know what its like to be a teenager and sneak so that my parents don’t know where I am. I hope when my children reach that age, they trust me to be honest.

   So….If its my son or daughter that this would happen to, they both should face the fact that there will be punishment for them, suspension from sports, etc.. and for the teacher, take their license.

   As for what has happened at WCV…why would they actually do something now…they’ve never done anything in the past…and I know for a fact….this has happened before!

Nate Westre on February 21, 2006 3:00 pm

5. I’ll take the 2 comments as a compliment and also as a sign that it’s time for me to respond. So as promised…

   The part of me that still thinks I’m a teenager says “so what” about the whole deal. I’m a big fan of the line of thinking that if you’re 18 you’re old enough to make your own decisions. If this situation arose in an office setting with an employee and her supervisor, while not looked upon highly, it would still be ok, as long as the two were consenting adults. But that’s where the problem lies.

   The teacher here is in a position of power and it doesn’t take much imagination to think that he’s using that power to get a little action. He’s getting an ego boost with a ton of attention from her and her friends and she’s getting…better grades? the affection of an older man? a reputation around school? Where’s the benefit in this for either of the parties involved?
   Maybe they do truly care about each other. It’s unlikely but possible. Maybe their feelings are so strong that they don’t care about the consequences. BUT…is it really worth risking your job and possibly your career just to date the senior hottie in school? I’ll be the first to admit that guys can and do make decisions using the wrong brain but isn’t the choice here pretty clear cut? Just back off and wait until graduation. There you go, problem solved. Just don’t go making goo-goo eyes at each other during basketball games (like on Saturday night in Jefferson) and hanging out with her classmates after games. My advice from one guy with raging hormones to another — you can’t keep secrets in Stuart so don’t try. Keep it in your pants and wait til May. Then if something happens, so be it. But just keep in mind…there will be a new group of hottie seniors next year!