another teacher... sigh

rodrick_98 · Jun 22, 2006

well not a sex case, but here we go again, another teacher fired.

Tamara Hoover is her name, posing nude is her game....

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.mpl/metropolitan/3977497

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.
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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.

p*rnography 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.
Click to expand...

gbritton · Jun 22, 2006

thats hot

Kam · Jun 22, 2006

yeah, read about this.

looking for the pics.

the teacher looks nice.

austin is weird.

univac hal · Jun 22, 2006

Aww, no pics..

I wonder who's hotter, she or her partner? OK, dumb question.. she's the one with her nudie pics up

Rockets34Legend · Jun 22, 2006

Most or all the pics have been removed by Flickr. Does anyone have any mirror sites?

wizkid83 · Jun 22, 2006

univac hal said:

Aww, no pics..

I wonder who's hotter, she or her partner? OK, dumb question.. she's the one with her nudie pics up
Click to expand...

Ask and you shall receive. Learn to google.

http://www.myspace.com/mshoover

cwebbster · Jun 22, 2006

http://ummyeah.com/page/Tamara_Hoover_Flickr_Nude_Naked_Oh_Fired

nasty emo girls....

hooroo · Jun 22, 2006

too emo for her own good:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/79642866@N00/
http://isthisreallyjournalism.blogspot.com/2006/06/tamara-hoover-update.html

krnxsnoopy · Jun 22, 2006

hooroo said:

too emo for her own good:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/79642866@N00/
http://isthisreallyjournalism.blogspot.com/2006/06/tamara-hoover-update.html
Click to expand...

Mmm.. not impressed

she looks too old/stressed out

Uprising · Jun 22, 2006

lol. well, another one bites the dust.

Kam · Jun 22, 2006

wizkid83 said:

Ask and you shall receive. Learn to google.

http://www.myspace.com/mshoover
Click to expand...

MS.H 's Details
Status: In a Relationship
Here for: Networking, Friends
Hometown: Austin
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Smoke / Drink: No / No
Education: College graduate
Occupation: UNEMPLOYED
Income: Less than $30,000

damn that. teachers (like her) need to make more. she is able to reach out to her students.

Forums

another teacher... sigh

rodrick_98 Contributing Member

gbritton Contributing Member

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wizkid83 Contributing Member

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