I had this man as a teacher when I was in high school a few years back. He's a great teacher, and was always very personable and helpful to his students, both male and female alike. One of those teachers who truly went above and beyond the call of duty. He was also somewhat touchy-feely, but this also went both directions (i.e. male/female). Us men in the class often gave him hugs and put arms around his shoulders, and the women tended to give him little pecks on the cheeck. This is how we did things, but it was also COMPLETELY PLATONIC and never in any way did we consider it to be inappropriate or anything but an expression of platonic mutual affection between a well-loved teacher and his students. About two years ago, a similar case occurred with Mr. Ostrin in which a student who didn't want to write a thesis for his class (knowing full well that his was a requirement, and this is a 35+ page college-level thesis; mine was 116 pages) accused him of sexual harassment for the same behavior to get out of writing the paper. I would imagine it's a similar situation this time. I would be more than willing to bet this girl isn't scarred, she's lazy. I would also bet that the "kiss" referred to was no more than the standard peck exchanged between Ostrin and many of his female students whom he loved and loved him in a caring relationship, more parental than anything else.
Also, for a little more background on the man, Mr. Ostrin is a Vietnam Veteran who served two tours, has a wife and two children, and wakes up at 3:30 every morning to get his kids up, bathed, ready for school and off to the babysitter before arriving at school at 6:30 AM to start his work, and often staying up late into the night to finish it before waking up at 3:30 again. He is in good physical shape, and a man who I am proud to call my teacher and friend.
He also keeps his CIA agent hat in his briefcase.
Oh and my thesis was 150 pages....
#8 we have a live one!
"I would also bet that the "kiss" referred to was no more than the standard peck exchanged between Ostrin and many of his female students whom he loved and loved him in a caring relationship, more parental than anything else. "
While I agree with you that this teacher probably did not have ill intent , a standard peck on the cheek these days is asking for trouble . I'm a " touchy feely " kind of guy/teacher myself , but I'd never hug or give a peck on the cheek to a student .