Does A Teacher's Past Sexual Activity Matter?

@firefly,

DAVID wrote:

If that is not the objection, then what is the objection??

firefly wrote:

Simply that he had a past career as a porn star, and never disclosed this past employment
when he got a teaching license or his current job.

OK, lemme get this straight:
it is your understanding that the people who were quoted
in the article as evincing emotional distress (when informed of his occupational history)
were alarmed as to how he filled out his employment application, NOT
as to what he was going to do to his students in the future ??

David

1 Reply

@OmSigDAVID,

Quote:

OK, lemme get this straight:
it is your understanding that the people who were quoted
in the article as evincing emotional distress (when informed of his occupational history)
were alarmed as to how he filled out his employment application, NOT
as to what he was going to do to his students in the future ??

Yes, that is my understanding of the situation.

They aren't afraid of anything he would do to his students. It's more a matter of stuff like whether he is a good role model, blah, blah.

Except, as the columnist pointed out in one of the articles I posted, if his students can go online and view his porn movies, it's a little hard for him to maintain decorum and respect in class. But that's a whole other matter. And a great many students are supporting him.

One has to wonder why that Fox reporter chose to expose (forgive the choice of words Smile

) this man's past work in porn movies. He was the one who started this fracas. What was his motive?

1 Reply

@firefly,

DAVID wrote:

OK, lemme get this straight:
it is your understanding that the people who were quoted
in the article as evincing emotional distress (when informed of his occupational history)
were alarmed as to how he filled out his employment application, NOT
as to what he was going to do to his students in the future ??

firefly wrote:

Yes, that is my understanding of the situation.

They aren't afraid of anything he would do to his students.
It's more a matter of stuff like whether he is a good role model, blah, blah.

Then it may be a question of whether he is CONSPICUOUSLY homosexual
(limp wristed effeminate mannerisms & speech patterns, etc).
Yestercentury, I had a professional problem with that.
It fell to me to defend a beauty parlor from negligence litigation
involving catastrophic personal injuries to an elderly lady
who fell down some steps. Defendant's staff consisted of
very flagrant, extra-feminine homosexuals. Thay woud
testify, concerning the facts of the case. We needed their testimony.
There was nothing in the Bill of Particulars qua homosexuality, but thay
were deemed a pariah group that engendered inflamed negative emotions
(even homicidal abhorrence).
My problem was: how to select a jury in the face of this situation?
Fortunately, the case was settled.

firefly wrote:

Except, as the columnist pointed out in one of the articles I posted, if his students can go online and view his porn movies,
it's a little hard for him to maintain decorum and respect in class. But that's a whole other matter. And a great many students are supporting him.

One has to wonder why that Fox reporter chose to expose (forgive the choice of words ) this man's past work in porn movies.
He was the one who started this fracas. What was his motive?

Well, maybe it coud be possible that he was
among those folks who residually despise homosexuals (just guessing).
Sexuality can be a very hot button issue; I think that all sex is insanity.
Even just pictures or paintings can incite the fiercest, most vindictive, hostile passions.
In the Second World War, there was a nazi painter
whose work fell afoul of Nazi Party dogma to the
extent that a soldier was assigned to guard him
(in house arrest) around the clock to make sure
that he did NOT paint anything. The rankest insanity

David

1 Reply

Could be worse, could be an atheist.

0 Replies

@OmSigDAVID,

Quote:

Then it may be a question of whether he is CONSPICUOUSLY homosexual

If that were really the issue, they probably wouldn't have hired him in the first place.

David, I'm not at all sure the man is a homosexual. And I don't think the main concern involved with his administrative leave has anything to do with homosexuality. The issue is that he appeared in porn movies.

That's why I posted another news story for you to read about the female teacher also very recently placed on leave from her job because of her alleged involvement in a porn Web site.

The issue is teachers' involvement in porn productions, and whether this sets a bad example, a bad role model, a bad influence, etc. for students. The porn connection seems to bother school administrators more than it bothers most parents or students.

Many many years ago, I remember a similar flap about a female police officer who posed semi-nude for Playboy, or another magazine of that type, in garb that identified her as a cop. Her police department felt this was an inappropriate thing for an officer to do, that it was the wrong image (again, excuse my choice of words Smile

) to convey, that it contributed to a lack of appropriate respect for police officers, etc.

The issue is whether one has to maintain a certain public image as a member of certain professions. When one gets involved in commercial porn movies, porn Web sites, posing nude or semi-nude in magazines, these are no longer exclusively private activities because the material is available for public viewing.

Isn't that also why Anthony Weiner had to resign his congressional seat--the photos he took of himself, and his genitals, that he was sending to females he met on the internet--because this was considered inappropriate behavior for a member of Congress?

2 Replies

I’ve thought a bit about this – as it has been a topic of conversation. Especially having kids and living in Mass. I do think teachers are a role model to students so a certain standard should be met, but then again, they should be allowed a private life. The problem comes when their private life becomes public.

This is difficult because this teacher did not do anything illegal, but would I want my kids being taught by a porno star? Probably not. But is it any of my business – no. If it does not come into the classroom and the teacher asks appropriately in the classroom then I am ok. However, where this became public – how do you keep it out of the classroom? Who’s rights take over here?

It really is not right that this reporter brought it out. It should have been kept private. And then it would be no problem. Tough situation and it would be tough for the teacher to keep teaching with snickering among the kids – it would be a distraction. I feel bad for him.

On your other questions – I think if they are currently working as a teacher, they should have clearance on any other jobs they are engaged in. This is not different than many other jobs/companies. I need to pre-clear another job or other officer title (charity or other business) prior to working. I think the difference being a career especially in a field where you can have impact on a companies’ reputation or a conflict of interest.

Their past jobs are different. Many people have had not the ideal jobs so they could pay for an education – as long as their jobs were not illegal.

2 Replies

@firefly,

DAVID wrote:

Then it may be a question of whether he is CONSPICUOUSLY homosexual

firefly wrote:

If that were really the issue, they probably wouldn't have hired him in the first place.

David, I'm not at all sure the man is a homosexual. And I don't think
the main concern involved with his administrative leave has anything
to do with homosexuality. The issue is that he appeared in porn movies.

That's why I posted another news story for you to read about the
female teacher also very recently placed on leave from her job
because of her alleged involvement in a porn Web site.

The issue is teachers' involvement in porn productions, and whether
this sets a bad example, a bad role model, a bad influence, etc. for students.
The porn connection seems to bother school administrators more
than it bothers most parents or students.
Many many years ago, I remember a similar flap about a female police officer who posed semi-nude for Playboy, or another magazine of that type, in garb that identified her as a cop. Her police department felt this was an inappropriate thing for an officer to do, that it was the wrong image (again, excuse my choice of words ) to convey, that it contributed to a lack of appropriate respect for police officers, etc.

I think I vaguely remember that.

firefly wrote:

The issue is whether one has to maintain a certain public image as a member of certain professions. When one gets involved in commercial porn movies, porn Web sites, posing nude or semi-nude in magazines, these are no longer exclusively private activities because the material is available for public viewing.

Isn't that also why Anthony Weiner had to resign his congressional seat--the photos he took of himself, and his genitals, that he was sending to females he met on the internet--because this was considered inappropriate behavior for a member of Congress?

He was my Congressman.

David

0 Replies

@firefly,

Oh my god, a TEACHER had a pornographic past?! ... WHO CARES?!

Like many of the posters on here, I agree that Mr. Hogan's past should not jeopardize his career as a teacher. This modern witch-hunt is abhorrent IMO. As long as a teacher's "questionable" (for lack of a better term) past is legal and does not come into the classroom environment or interfere with the education of the students, it shouldn't be a big deal. If, by some miracle, Mr. Hogan DOES manage to retain his job, and I were a parent in that school's area, I wouldn't have a problem with it, so long as he doesn't bring his past into the classroom.

2 Replies

@firefly,

firefly wrote:

David, I'm not at all sure the man is a homosexual.

His cinematic body of work may provide a clue.

1 Reply

@RexDraconis111,

This is my position, as well. And as to disclosing previous employment, is it required that you list all your prior professions on the application?

If the guy is a successful teacher who has never hinted at his past, that should be enough. I might raise my eyebrows, but my main concern would be my daughter's grades.

2 Replies

@joefromchicago,

At the worst, it only proves he's bisexual, not necessarily homosexual.

But again, as firefly stated the issue is not the man's sexual orientation.

1 Reply

@Mame,

If only more parents were like you. Then maybe this witch-hunt wouldn't be so effective.

0 Replies

@firefly,

Good gravy! Is Margery Eagan still riding her high horse? She should have retired years ago.

1 Reply

@RexDraconis111,

RexDraconis111 wrote:

At the worst, it only proves he's bisexual, not necessarily homosexual.

Yes, I suppose that would be the worst.

0 Replies

@Mame,

Mame wrote:

And as to disclosing previous employment, is it required that you list all your prior professions on the application?

Very good point, Mame. If I were applying for a teaching job, I would make sure that my resume included everything that had anything to do with my experience in pedagogy. I would hardly waste space by listing the fact that I once drove a cab or ran an 'antiques and collectibles' (read: junk) shop or did labor on a construction crew one high school vacation summer.

IMO, his having worked in the film industry has no bearing whatever on his work as a teacher.

0 Replies

@Lustig Andrei,

Good gravy!

I'll follow this with geez, Louise.

Granted, I would have said differently, if I knew about this when I was a righteous catholic high school student in the fifties, but part of my displeasure now is getting to hear all this ban-the-devil stuff yet again. These are not house unamerican activities. And not being promoted by the described teacher at school.

0 Replies

@firefly,

Quote:

But, age of the student body has nothing to do with it. When a faculty member is arrested and charged with a felony, any kind of felony, a suspension is an appropriate action until the legal situation is resolved. I felt the university was quite right to

Sorry I do not see it as you are presume innocent until a jury state otherwise and he was not charge with rape of any other violence crime that would bring a safety issue up concerning mainly adults with a few late age minors.

0 Replies

@Linkat,

Quote:

Especially having kids and living in Mass. I do think teachers are a role model to students so a certain standard should be met, but then again, they should be allowed a private life. The problem comes when their private life becomes public.

This is difficult because this teacher did not do anything illegal, but would I want my kids being taught by a porno star? Probably not. But is it any of my business – no. If it does not come into the classroom and the teacher asks appropriately in the classroom then I am ok. However, where this became public – how do you keep it out of the classroom? Who’s rights take over here?

I appeciate your post for giving a little balance to this discussion, and not just dismissing all parental concerns out of hand.

Quote:

It really is not right that this reporter brought it out. It should have been kept private.

I agree with you. And that's where the witchhunt aspect of this comes in--with that reporter, and with Fox news.
The school may just have put the teacher on administrative leave (and he is on paid administrative leave) until they could find out more of the story, gauge public reaction and deal with it, and wait until the dust settles. They may well not wind up firing this teacher--he is seemingly highly regarded and has garnered a lot of support from parents and students.

Maybe it's that reporter who should be put on administrative leave or fired. There is a malicious element to disrupting this man's life in this way, to deliberately threaten his teaching job with a lot of public speculation and controversy about matters unrelated to his teaching.

1 Reply

@firefly,

I was thinking that as well - it seems as if you are ruining the teacher's reputation - that should stand for something, however, as the reporter did not necessarily (assuming this is all accurate) lie I suppose he did nothing legally wrong - but reporter did something morally wrong as well.

It seems depending on your work - it is ok to be in the public eye and do something morally wrong, whereas another occupation you cannot.

1 Reply

@Linkat,

As long as the reporter reported something which is demonstrably true, he broke no law. Ethical concepts of 'right' and 'wrong', 'fair' or 'foul', have nothing to do with the law. Let's not overthink this. The reporter did what he was paid to do -- his job is to report. The school committe did what it is supposed to do -- launched an investigation. The fact that a good teacher's reputation and, indeed, career may have been totally ruined by these actions is in no way legally germaine. We may sympathize with the teacher, but we can't point fingers and blame anyone ("blame" in any legal sense, I mean) other than the teacher himself.

2 Replies

Does A Teacher's Past Sexual Activity Matter?

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