Posted on 06/16/2006 5:13:41 PM PDT by Jalapeno
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.
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.
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.
"Many artists have nude pictures, like Georgia O'Keeffe," said 16-year-old student Austen Clements. "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 MySpace.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 on sites like Flickr, MySpace, Friendster and Facebook, but that number is growing.
Brooks said employers with whom she works regularly tell her they've rejected otherwise qualified job applicants because of material they found online.
Her counselors already warn students about what they post online. This year the university will dedicate a Web page to the issue.
"We would never tell a student to not put anything on MySpace or take anything down, that's their choice," Brooks said. "But that's the point: They need to be aware of the choices they're making."
Employers should handle the sites with caution, too, experts say.
"Information on those sites is inherently unreliable," said Steven Rothberg, president of CollegeRecruiter.com. "People post information about themselves that is not true. Their friends know it's not true, but the employers don't know that."
Hoover' teaching career remains on the line. The district wants to revoke her teaching certification, which would keep her out of Texas classrooms permanently.
Hoover will appeal the ruling and is prepared to take the case to court, she said.
"I never thought in any way I was doing anything to compromise my position at the school," Hoover said. "I love working there and I love teaching art. I feel like that's what I'm here to do."
If they realize that the internet is a PUBLIC forum and that employers don't want to higher MORONS who think that they can let it all hang out on the internet, then maybe they will think twice. My employer does google searches to make sure potential employees pass the smell test.
What is up with this "Myspace" bullsh-t? When did Americans become such friggin exhibitionists?
The girlfriend has a post on the site that says she has already removed pictures from the site because people have called her a pornographer, so I think there must have been some pics there that weren't as 'tame' as the one you posted.
"The photos came to light as a result of a feud over ceramics equipment with another art teacher"
Say what?
Stop, you're kilning me. Now she's in deep frit.
If a teacher can be fired on these "moral standard" grounds, then all the gay teachers should also be fired on the same grounds. There are many people who find homosexuality offensive.
"The photos, which were posted on Flickr.com by her partner"
"Ok student, while I check your homework you can take care of my (meow)"
There are already police departments in MA that don't allow officers to smoke whatsoever, not even at home. I believe at least 1 or 2 cops have been fired so far, but I can't remember whether they'll challenge the rules or not. I hope they do.
Without the head, you couldn't tell it was female.
But some guys like that sort of thing I guess...
suppose someone take a photo of me at a bachelor party, digital cameras and phones with cameras are everywhere, and post it on the net. my employer should be able to fire me for that?
In a right to work state he can.
Now don't go making Celestra jealous. LOL
That would explain Columbine now wouldn't it?
A female acquaintance of mine learned the hard way when she let her boyfriend tape their amorous liasons, which he subsequently put on the internet for all to see.
Hilarious and true!! LOL. The woman is smiling, can you imagine what she looks like when she isn't? Oh my God, no wonder we actually did our homework back then.
I agree...this is her 15 mins of fame, she will be on Hannity and Oreilly and Larry KIng and try to have a modeling or movie career. she is one stupid woman. Get her out of the schools. what a Maroon!
there is a difference between not needing a reason to fire someone, and firing someone for a reason (perhaps while claiming otherwise). this story is clear, she was fired because of topless photos.
taken to its extreme, we are all going to become robots. we can't go anywhere or do anything that might offend our employer? how about if they don't like divorce, or don't like the idea of someone going to a casino. or if they don't like inter-racial marriages? is there any limit to it.
anorexia. I am in love with the kitty though. How darling.
Partner, not boyfriend? Hmmmmm...
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