Life California Teacher, 41 resigns after leaving wife, kids for student, 18 - Page 4

Deberg_1990 · 03-01-2012, 12:42 PM

Can you really stop true love?

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headline...ormer-teacher/

An angry California mother is alleging abuse now that her 18-year-old daughter is living with her former high school teacher, who left his wife and children to move into an apartment with the young woman.

James Hooker, 41, quit his job after going public with his love for Jordan Powers, who stopped attending classes at her Modesto high school and left home to be with her former business teacher.

The girl’s mother is skeptical of the couple’s claims that nothing sexual happened between them, and exactly when the relationship became physical has become the center of a police investigation.

“She looked up to him,” mom Tammie Powers said. “[He was in the] position of an educator, [and you] don’t abuse your student. Period. She’s still in high school. She still lives at home. She has a curfew. … That’s not OK.”

The couple maintains that their feelings for each other blossomed slowly by spending time together during and after school, and then via phone calls and text messages. The two first met when Jordan was a high school freshman at James Enochs High School, but they say they only developed romantic feelings after she turned 18 in September.

“[He's] my best friend. I mean, he’s more than just a lover,” Jordan Powers said of Hooker, who has a daughter a year younger than her and attended the same high school.

Hooker said that while Jordan Powers was a student in his business class, he didn’t think twice about her. “She was just a student,” he said. “There was no attraction. There was nothing that was out of the ordinary, as opposed to any other student. We were very much a teacher-student role.”

Tammie Powers is unconvinced. As soon as she discovered a long log of text message exchanges, she went straight to the police. She waged her own war on Facebook, posting a letter that went viral telling everyone that classmates took photos of her daughter sitting on Hooker’s lap when she was still his student.

She says that she also discovered 8,000 text messages between the two, along with late-night phone calls and email exchanges that took place when she was still a minor.

“That’s pursuit, in my opinion, with some type of intent,” she told ABC News 10 in California.

But none of the late-night calls or endless texts were a red flag of inappropriateness to him, and says that people looking for proof of an unacceptable relationship before Jordan was 18 are just inquisitive about their connection, Hooker said.

“I think that they’re just digging for something that wasn’t there. I mean, of course, they’re going to be curious,” Hooker added. “But I know for a fact that there was nothing.”

Although Jordan has stopped attending classes, she is now doing independent study through the school and plans to walk at her graduation.

Hooker confirmed that he is under investigation by the Modesto Police Department, but is confident he will be completely cleared of any allegations of inappropriate behavior. He said that he understands that people don’t understand their relationship.

“I think the stigma of the teacher-student relationship just makes it messy, makes it really hard for people to get through to the point that we really do like each other, he said. “We really do want to have a future together.”

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/29/430...gns-after.html

listopencil · 03-01-2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

It is illegal to seduce a student if you are a high school teacher. It doesn't matter if she is 18. The wording is such that an authority figure, such as a teacher or coach, cannot have a relationship with a student, regardless of her age. If the relationship turned sexual at 18, but the grounds for that activity began when she was a student, he could face criminal prosecution.

Yeah, I get that. I'm saying is there a law the prohibits teacher/student fraternization in the case of two legal adults?

**loochy** · 03-01-2012, 02:20 PM

not bad

She's so in love...he's so dreamy...sigh

listopencil · 03-01-2012, 02:32 PM

We need to find her FaceBook profile to get better pics.

vailpass · 03-01-2012, 02:34 PM

Dude realized he's a balding ugly mofo and will likely never get a chance at something young and tight again so he took his shot.

She'll meet some sweet-talking carnival worker or general laborer and move on in a year or two.

He'll be left with a hell of a hidden camera home video collection and a whole shoe box full of love notes.

SLAG · 03-01-2012, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

Dude realized he's a balding ugly mofo and will likely never get a chance at something young and tight again so he took his shot.

She'll meet some sweet-talking carnival worker or general laborer and move on in a year or two.

He'll be left with a hell of a hidden camera home video collection and a whole shoe box full of love notes.

I hope to be that day laborer

**loochy** · 03-01-2012, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by listopencil

We need to find her FaceBook profile to get better pics.

my search reveals nothing

mikey23545 · 03-01-2012, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

Dude realized he's a balding ugly mofo and will likely never get a chance at something young and tight again so he took his shot.

She'll meet some sweet-talking carnival worker or general laborer and move on in a year or two.

He'll be left with a hell of a hidden camera home video collection and a whole shoe box full of love notes.

Ok, I just blew some of my salad out through my nose at that one...

BIG_DADDY · 03-01-2012, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

It is illegal to seduce a student if you are a high school teacher. It doesn't matter if she is 18. The wording is such that an authority figure, such as a teacher or coach, cannot have a relationship with a student, regardless of her age. If the relationship turned sexual at 18, but the grounds for that activity began when she was a student, he could face criminal prosecution.

That is beyond ridiculous.

listopencil · 03-01-2012, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loochy

my search reveals nothing

Me too. I'm terrible at searching FaceBook. I can't even find myself on there without logging in.

Monty · 03-01-2012, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wickedson

touch of downs?

She's already got that "That's not what you said last night" look on her face.

**RockChalk** · 03-01-2012, 03:01 PM

I need to see full body shots of this girl to adequately evaluate. Also, pics of what Hooker left for this teen. While we're at it, shots of his daughter as well.

Valiant · 03-01-2012, 03:02 PM

Maybe they are trying for a reality show.

Problem is, he makes or made teachers money. Now, the ex wife is going to get half plus the kids support money for awhile.

I don't see any other schools hiring him but catholic, but then he has to like boys.

I guess good luck to them both working at hooters together.

**RockChalk** · 03-01-2012, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

Maybe they are trying for a reality show.

Problem is, he makes or made teachers money. Now, the ex wife is going to get half plus the kids support money for awhile.

I don't see any other schools hiring him but catholic, but then he has to like boys.

I guess good luck to them both working at hooters together.

**The Franchise** · 03-01-2012, 03:04 PM

She'll leave him when she turns 21 and can get alcohol on her own.

arrowheadnation · 03-01-2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockChalk

lol...I was just getting ready to say "but he's got a 5 year plan."

03-01-2012, 12:42 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $64454	California Teacher, 41 resigns after leaving wife, kids for student, 18 Can you really stop true love? http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headline...ormer-teacher/ An angry California mother is alleging abuse now that her 18-year-old daughter is living with her former high school teacher, who left his wife and children to move into an apartment with the young woman. James Hooker, 41, quit his job after going public with his love for Jordan Powers, who stopped attending classes at her Modesto high school and left home to be with her former business teacher. The girl’s mother is skeptical of the couple’s claims that nothing sexual happened between them, and exactly when the relationship became physical has become the center of a police investigation. “She looked up to him,” mom Tammie Powers said. “[He was in the] position of an educator, [and you] don’t abuse your student. Period. She’s still in high school. She still lives at home. She has a curfew. … That’s not OK.” The couple maintains that their feelings for each other blossomed slowly by spending time together during and after school, and then via phone calls and text messages. The two first met when Jordan was a high school freshman at James Enochs High School, but they say they only developed romantic feelings after she turned 18 in September. “[He's] my best friend. I mean, he’s more than just a lover,” Jordan Powers said of Hooker, who has a daughter a year younger than her and attended the same high school. Hooker said that while Jordan Powers was a student in his business class, he didn’t think twice about her. “She was just a student,” he said. “There was no attraction. There was nothing that was out of the ordinary, as opposed to any other student. We were very much a teacher-student role.” Tammie Powers is unconvinced. As soon as she discovered a long log of text message exchanges, she went straight to the police. She waged her own war on Facebook, posting a letter that went viral telling everyone that classmates took photos of her daughter sitting on Hooker’s lap when she was still his student. She says that she also discovered 8,000 text messages between the two, along with late-night phone calls and email exchanges that took place when she was still a minor. “That’s pursuit, in my opinion, with some type of intent,” she told ABC News 10 in California. But none of the late-night calls or endless texts were a red flag of inappropriateness to him, and says that people looking for proof of an unacceptable relationship before Jordan was 18 are just inquisitive about their connection, Hooker said. “I think that they’re just digging for something that wasn’t there. I mean, of course, they’re going to be curious,” Hooker added. “But I know for a fact that there was nothing.” Although Jordan has stopped attending classes, she is now doing independent study through the school and plans to walk at her graduation. Hooker confirmed that he is under investigation by the Modesto Police Department, but is confident he will be completely cleared of any allegations of inappropriate behavior. He said that he understands that people don’t understand their relationship. “I think the stigma of the teacher-student relationship just makes it messy, makes it really hard for people to get through to the point that we really do like each other, he said. “We really do want to have a future together.” http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/29/430...gns-after.html
Posts: 68,709

03-01-2012, 02:20 PM	#47
loochy Hey Loochy, I'm hooome! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PooPooKaKaPeePeeShire Casino cash: $-1789603	not bad She's so in love...he's so dreamy...sigh __________________ Hey Loochy, I'm hoooome!
Posts: 42,191

03-01-2012, 02:32 PM	#48
listopencil Immanentize The Eschaton Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In Partibus Infidelium Casino cash: $-1094120	We need to find her FaceBook profile to get better pics. __________________ *While you live, shine. Have no grief at all. Life exists only for a short while and time demands its toll.*
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03-01-2012, 02:34 PM	#49
vailpass Psycho Bag Of Squanch Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $9594244	Dude realized he's a balding ugly mofo and will likely never get a chance at something young and tight again so he took his shot. She'll meet some sweet-talking carnival worker or general laborer and move on in a year or two. He'll be left with a hell of a hidden camera home video collection and a whole shoe box full of love notes. __________________ “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

03-01-2012, 03:01 PM	#56
RockChalk Dirty Bit Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lake of the Woods Casino cash: $1236002	I need to see full body shots of this girl to adequately evaluate. Also, pics of what Hooker left for this teen. While we're at it, shots of his daughter as well. __________________
Posts: 7,034

03-01-2012, 03:02 PM	#57
Valiant Valiant 'The Thread Killer' Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $4492380	Maybe they are trying for a reality show. Problem is, he makes or made teachers money. Now, the ex wife is going to get half plus the kids support money for awhile. I don't see any other schools hiring him but catholic, but then he has to like boys. I guess good luck to them both working at hooters together.
Posts: 18,562

03-01-2012, 03:04 PM	#59
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2065047	She'll leave him when she turns 21 and can get alcohol on her own.
Posts: 92,316