District looks to fire Austin High art teacher - Page 2

Hammock Parties · 06-13-2006, 06:29 AM

Teacher, who posted nude portraits online, can appeal decision to begin termination proceedings.

By Raven L. Hill
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, June 13, 2006

An Austin High School art teacher who posed partially nude in photographs posted on the Web could soon be out of a job after the school board voted Monday to begin termination proceedings.

The teacher, Tamara Hoover, 29, has been on paid administrative leave since May 19 because "inappropriate material" was posted on a Web site, according to the district. A student notified school officials about the site's content, namely several portraits that show Hoover nude from the waist up.

Austin High School art teacher Tamara Hoover says the photos of her posted online are 'artistic photography,' not pornography. This photo was among those on a Flickr Web site, a site some students looked at

The district's attorney, Mel Waxler, said he could not comment, citing personnel and legal concerns.

Hoover defended her actions in a blog by saying that the pictures are not pornography but "artistic photography" and that she neither knew nor had any control over which photographs were posted by the photographer.

The school district's policies regarding employee behavior include a moral turpitude clause that prohibits "base, vile, or depraved acts that are intended to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of the actor."

Hoover may appeal the board's decision, with the board making a final decision in August.

Although Hoover has declined commenting on the matter, she protested the district's decision on her blog entry dated June 9. "They are firing me for pictures of me being on a website . . . and claiming the website is pornographic," Hoover wrote. "The district isn't even asking to hear my side."

Louis Malfaro, president of Education Austin, a 4,000-member group that represents teachers and staff members, said he thought the district's handling of the matter was inappropriate.

"Teachers need to be cautious because they are held to a higher standard," he said. "However, I think it's outrageous the way Tamara has been treated, and I'm glad she has herself a good lawyer," he said. "You can walk into most art galleries in this town and see the kind of artwork that was depicted on that Web site."

The pictures — hundreds of photos of Hoover posing clothed and partially nude, alone and in company — were posted on a photo-sharing Web site that does not require a password.

"I never told kids to 'go see me' at the web site," she wrote.

The blog also contains Hoover's account of the events leading up to her removal:

"That morning a fellow teacher was talking poorly about me to her class. A student said, 'Well, if you really dont like Ms. Hoover, you should check out the website she is on.' . . . So she told the student to pull it up. He did so in front of a class full of students."

Hoover said the district is pursuing criminal charges and determined that she was an ineffective teacher.

"I have been recognized by the board year after year (2 weeks before May 19 board recognized me again) for outstanding achievments as an art teacher," she wrote. "A report came back from the investigation saying that I am well liked on my campus and have a good reputation of being a caring teacher who tries to help each student find their own artistic voice."

Hoover was recognized during a May 8 school board meeting after one of her students won first place in a statewide competition. Another student, who did not give a name, posted an encouraging message Hoover's personal Web page.

"You do not deserve this," the student wrote. "It was my grandma's dying wish that I did something in the arts. . . . I feel like me being in your class would've made her very happy, and I know it made me very happy."

Hoover has taught at the Central Austin school since 2000.

ck_IN · 06-13-2006, 07:51 AM

What a great pair of tits.

You are obviously a deprived man.

I find it interesting that geography teachers can talk all kinds of political trash in class but an art teacher poses for some semi-nude shots and all hell breaks loose.

Hell these kids can go to a pg-13 movie and see worse then this. Give it a rest Austin.

InChiefsHeaven · 06-13-2006, 08:07 AM

Just....yech. I don't see what the big deal is, except that now that her students have seen how nasty she looks naked, they might not have any respect for her...

**Rain Man** · 06-13-2006, 08:36 AM

Her boyfriend isn't a great photographer. Sorry, but it had to be said.

On the "teacher as nude" subject, I'm torn.

Reasons why this should be no big deal:

1. It's the 21st century.
2. Those pictures aren't pornographic.
3. In about ten seconds, kids can get 8 zillion pictures that are far more graphic or questionable.
4. She teaches art. These are art. Not good art, but art.

Reasons why this shouldn't be allowed:

1. More so than regular porn, kids will pass these around and get tittilated and distracted by them, because it's someone they know.
2. If you're a high school teacher, you should know that people are very conservative when it comes to high school teachers and nudity.

It seems to me that she shouldn't be fired for it, but she should have been smart enough to recognize that nude model and teacher are not compatible careers in contemporary American society. She should have to pick which one to drop.

**Bob Dole** · 06-13-2006, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

It seems to me that she shouldn't be fired for it, but she should have been smart enough to recognize that nude model and teacher are not compatible careers in contemporary American society. She should have to pick which one to drop.

Bob Dole needs to dig out the old nude studies from college art classes and see if he can find the models and get them fired.

**Rain Man** · 06-13-2006, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Bob Dole needs to dig out the old nude studies from college art classes and see if he can find the models and get them fired.

I'm not saying I agree with it, but it seems like teachers are more likely to get in trouble over these types of things than folks in other professions. I'm presuming that's because of parents kicking up a fuss.

Bootlegged · 06-13-2006, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ck_IN

What a great pair of tits.

You are obviously a deprived man.

I find it interesting that geography teachers can talk all kinds of political trash in class but an art teacher poses for some semi-nude shots and all hell breaks loose.

Hell these kids can go to a pg-13 movie and see worse then this. Give it a rest Austin.

Sarcasm..

She looks as if she was stung by two low-powered mosquitos.

**Bob Dole** · 06-13-2006, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I'm not saying I agree with it.

Yes you are.

**Rain Man** · 06-13-2006, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Yes you are.

No, I'm not.

**Bob Dole** · 06-13-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

No, I'm not.

Pretty sure you were.

Bootlegged · 06-13-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Pretty sure you were.

Yes, he was. RainMan loves 19 year old flat chested women.

**Donger** · 06-13-2006, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Yes you are.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

It seems to me that she shouldn't be fired for it

**Predarat** · 06-13-2006, 09:09 AM

I don't know if i'd hit it or not. Of course i'd say I wouldn't but I gotta admit, I've hit a lot worse with enough booze down me. At least its enjoyable at the time and if you can get out of the room before your too sober, nobodys the wiser. Unless they remember it and are one of those damn Fatal Attraction bitches.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-13-2006, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Second, that's a really rough looking 29 year-old woman.

Jeez. That is what I thought. Looks more like 49...

**Bob Dole** · 06-13-2006, 09:18 AM

Start your own argument, Donger.

**Donger** · 06-13-2006, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Start your own argument, Donger.

06-13-2006, 06:29 AM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4730478	District looks to fire Austin High art teacher Teacher, who posted nude portraits online, can appeal decision to begin termination proceedings. By Raven L. Hill AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Tuesday, June 13, 2006 An Austin High School art teacher who posed partially nude in photographs posted on the Web could soon be out of a job after the school board voted Monday to begin termination proceedings. The teacher, Tamara Hoover, 29, has been on paid administrative leave since May 19 because "inappropriate material" was posted on a Web site, according to the district. A student notified school officials about the site's content, namely several portraits that show Hoover nude from the waist up. Austin High School art teacher Tamara Hoover says the photos of her posted online are 'artistic photography,' not pornography. This photo was among those on a Flickr Web site, a site some students looked at The district's attorney, Mel Waxler, said he could not comment, citing personnel and legal concerns. Hoover defended her actions in a blog by saying that the pictures are not pornography but "artistic photography" and that she neither knew nor had any control over which photographs were posted by the photographer. The school district's policies regarding employee behavior include a moral turpitude clause that prohibits "base, vile, or depraved acts that are intended to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of the actor." Hoover may appeal the board's decision, with the board making a final decision in August. Although Hoover has declined commenting on the matter, she protested the district's decision on her blog entry dated June 9. "They are firing me for pictures of me being on a website . . . and claiming the website is pornographic," Hoover wrote. "The district isn't even asking to hear my side." Louis Malfaro, president of Education Austin, a 4,000-member group that represents teachers and staff members, said he thought the district's handling of the matter was inappropriate. "Teachers need to be cautious because they are held to a higher standard," he said. "However, I think it's outrageous the way Tamara has been treated, and I'm glad she has herself a good lawyer," he said. "You can walk into most art galleries in this town and see the kind of artwork that was depicted on that Web site." The pictures — hundreds of photos of Hoover posing clothed and partially nude, alone and in company — were posted on a photo-sharing Web site that does not require a password. "I never told kids to 'go see me' at the web site," she wrote. The blog also contains Hoover's account of the events leading up to her removal: "That morning a fellow teacher was talking poorly about me to her class. A student said, 'Well, if you really dont like Ms. Hoover, you should check out the website she is on.' . . . So she told the student to pull it up. He did so in front of a class full of students." Hoover said the district is pursuing criminal charges and determined that she was an ineffective teacher. "I have been recognized by the board year after year (2 weeks before May 19 board recognized me again) for outstanding achievments as an art teacher," she wrote. "A report came back from the investigation saying that I am well liked on my campus and have a good reputation of being a caring teacher who tries to help each student find their own artistic voice." Hoover was recognized during a May 8 school board meeting after one of her students won first place in a statewide competition. Another student, who did not give a name, posted an encouraging message Hoover's personal Web page. "You do not deserve this," the student wrote. "It was my grandma's dying wish that I did something in the arts. . . . I feel like me being in your class would've made her very happy, and I know it made me very happy." Hoover has taught at the Central Austin school since 2000.
Posts: 277,803

06-13-2006, 07:51 AM	#16
ck_IN Feels so good. Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10004900	What a great pair of tits. You are obviously a deprived man. I find it interesting that geography teachers can talk all kinds of political trash in class but an art teacher poses for some semi-nude shots and all hell breaks loose. Hell these kids can go to a pg-13 movie and see worse then this. Give it a rest Austin. __________________ As sweet as Tupelo Honey
Posts: 2,718

06-13-2006, 08:07 AM	#17
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $3894937	Just....yech. I don't see what the big deal is, except that now that her students have seen how nasty she looks naked, they might not have any respect for her... __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
Posts: 25,726

06-13-2006, 08:36 AM	#18
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3338491 VARSITY	Her boyfriend isn't a great photographer. Sorry, but it had to be said. On the "teacher as nude" subject, I'm torn. Reasons why this should be no big deal: 1. It's the 21st century. 2. Those pictures aren't pornographic. 3. In about ten seconds, kids can get 8 zillion pictures that are far more graphic or questionable. 4. She teaches art. These are art. Not good art, but art. Reasons why this shouldn't be allowed: 1. More so than regular porn, kids will pass these around and get tittilated and distracted by them, because it's someone they know. 2. If you're a high school teacher, you should know that people are very conservative when it comes to high school teachers and nudity. It seems to me that she shouldn't be fired for it, but she should have been smart enough to recognize that nude model and teacher are not compatible careers in contemporary American society. She should have to pick which one to drop. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,346

06-13-2006, 09:09 AM	#27
Predarat Run Chiefs fans, run!! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Casino cash: $9973863	I don't know if i'd hit it or not. Of course i'd say I wouldn't but I gotta admit, I've hit a lot worse with enough booze down me. At least its enjoyable at the time and if you can get out of the room before your too sober, nobodys the wiser. Unless they remember it and are one of those damn Fatal Attraction bitches.
Posts: 10,776

06-13-2006, 09:18 AM	#29
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $2604497	Start your own argument, Donger.
Posts: 48,537