District looks to fire Austin High art teacher - Page 3

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.

**Rain Man** · 06-13-2006, 09:20 AM

No, I wasn't.

(Just to clarify, which position am I taking? I've forgotten.)

**Donger** · 06-13-2006, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

No, I wasn't.

(Just to clarify, which position am I taking? I've forgotten.)

You were defending yourself against accusations from the good Senator from Kansas that you drilled peep holes in the girls locker room in high school.

Bootlegged · 06-13-2006, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

No, I wasn't.

(Just to clarify, which position am I taking? I've forgotten.)

You are taking the pro-dendrophiliac position.

Demonpenz · 06-13-2006, 09:27 AM

We get it already you like carrie underwood. Stop posting her pics.

**Rain Man** · 06-13-2006, 09:29 AM

Huh. I thought I was arguing about whether autistic art teachers should be feared.

jidar · 06-13-2006, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Huh. I thought I was arguing about whether autistic art teachers should be feared.

And loathed. If we don't do something soon, the autistic teachers will take over the world.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 06-13-2006, 11:03 AM

Between these and the Heather McCartney pics, we're oh-for-two.

Someone quick, post a hottie......

NOT CARRIE UNDERWOOD, GOCHIEFS.

**Predarat** · 06-13-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Between these and the Heather McCartney pics, we're oh-for-two.

Someone quick, post a hottie......

NOT CARRIE UNDERWOOD, GOCHIEFS.

Brooke, a hot cheerleader for the Tennessee Titans. As Tweeder in Varsity Blues said "She just has that I just fell out of a tree and want to s*** your d*** look."

**OnTheWarpath15** · 06-13-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Predarat

Brooke, a hot cheerleader for the Tennessee Titans. As Tweeder in Varsity Blue said "She just has that I just fell out of a tree and want to s*** your d*** look."

Thank you......

Inspector · 06-13-2006, 11:39 AM

She'll play hell getting one of those 7th graders to **** her now.

vailpass · 06-13-2006, 11:55 AM

Rode hard and put away wet.

BIG_DADDY · 06-13-2006, 12:05 PM

Nothing that ugly is art. Fire her ass.

ChiefsFanatic · 06-13-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

I'm sorry I posted that flickr link...she's gross. Please don't click.

Damn you. My eyes are burning.

**Bob Dole** · 06-13-2006, 12:51 PM

Bob Dole is a little surprised that none of you rocket scientists picked up on the fact that her boyfriend is actually her girlfriend.

http://www.celestadanger.com/WORDS_tamara_3.html

**Fire Me Boy!** · 06-13-2006, 04:53 PM

OK, I'm gonna be a little like Rainman here (not Rain Man the CP poster, Rainman -- like Dustin Hoffman.

Definitely not art. Definitely not good art. Definitely looks older than 29.

06-13-2006, 06:29 AM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4800478	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: 277,524

06-13-2006, 09:20 AM	#31
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3408491 VARSITY	No, I wasn't. (Just to clarify, which position am I taking? I've forgotten.) __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,213

06-13-2006, 09:27 AM	#34
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3202136	We get it already you like carrie underwood. Stop posting her pics. __________________
Posts: 54,241

06-13-2006, 09:29 AM	#35
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3408491 VARSITY	Huh. I thought I was arguing about whether autistic art teachers should be feared. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,213

06-13-2006, 11:03 AM	#37
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4971115	Between these and the Heather McCartney pics, we're oh-for-two. Someone quick, post a hottie...... NOT CARRIE UNDERWOOD, GOCHIEFS.
Posts: 60,166

06-13-2006, 11:39 AM	#40
Inspector MVP Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: K.C. Casino cash: $9924975	She'll play hell getting one of those 7th graders to **** her now.
Posts: 7,907

06-13-2006, 11:55 AM	#41
vailpass Psycho Bag Of Squanch Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $9594244	Rode hard and put away wet. __________________ “Education is a weapon whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.” Joseph Stalin
Posts: 69,591

06-13-2006, 12:05 PM	#42
BIG_DADDY THE RED MENACE Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texas Casino cash: $5148410	Nothing that ugly is art. Fire her ass. __________________ The diabolical genius of Marxism-Socialism is that it provides the emotional and intellectual road map for autocrats to persuade millions of people to support their own enslavement to government. ~Mark Levin April 15, 2019
Posts: 32,382

06-13-2006, 12:51 PM	#44
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $2674497	Bob Dole is a little surprised that none of you rocket scientists picked up on the fact that her boyfriend is actually her girlfriend. http://www.celestadanger.com/WORDS_tamara_3.html Last edited by Bob Dole; 06-13-2006 at 01:14 PM..
Posts: 48,502

06-13-2006, 04:53 PM	#45
Fire Me Boy! Cast Iron Jedi Join Date: Nov 2004 Casino cash: $9999900 VARSITY	OK, I'm gonna be a little like Rainman here (not Rain Man the CP poster, Rainman -- like Dustin Hoffman. Definitely not art. Definitely not good art. Definitely looks older than 29.
Posts: 35,253