NYC Teacher Admits She's a Former Hooker, Stripper

[apples and oranges]

Melissa Petro, a 30-year-old elementary school art teacher in the Bronx, has admitted that she was a prostitute, the New York Post reports.

Petro revealed her salacious past in an essay on The Huffington Post this month, where she writes, "From October 2006 to January 2007, I accepted money in exchange for sexual services I provided to men I met online in what was then called the 'erotic services' section of Craigslist.org."

Petro used her real name and picture and identified herself as a "former sex worker, researcher, writer, educator and feminist."

Some parents are expressing their outrage that their children were being taught by a former sex worker. "She's not a good role model. I do not want my daughters to find out about this," says Yocelyn Quezada, the mother of two of Petro's students, "and I do not want my daughters to be around that kind of person."

The Department of Education's press office says Petro had been reassigned to administrative duties pending an investigation, the Post reports.

http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/27/nyc-teacher-admits-shes-a-former-hooker-stripper/

Do you think she should be fired?

[Name removed]

1. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Blue Owl]

2. I could use a little private tutoring

:evilgrin:

[seabeyond]

7. you have the $.... you probably could. nt

[Scuba]

3. (not a) big deal

[sarge43]

4. No.

Are they investigating for and firing every male teacher who ever hired a sex worker?

[krabigirl]

5. So what? As a parent, i would have no problem with this..it is her life. People are so idiotic.

And i bet most people complaining have much worse skeletons in their bigoted closets.

[Octafish]

98. +1

She has integrity, which is more than most professionals.

[msanthrope]

104. I'd have a problem with my kid finding her video. n/t

[Dappleganger]

180. When your kid finds porn videos...

you're gonna blame the star?

:eyes:

[msanthrope]

190. If my kid finds porn videos of one of her teachers, you'd better believe I'm

going to blame the teacher.

[1955doubledie]

211. So, the kid finding a video of the teacher is HORRIBLE

while finding a video of a perfect stranger is a-okay? :shrug:

Because obviously, if your kid is able to get a video of the teacher, he's able to get porn, period.

[seabeyond]

215. the kids is going to be searching because it is a teacher and they have heard the story

it is not a random search for porn.

[arbusto_baboso]

6. "THINK OF THE CHILDREN!" OMFG, will eveybody just STOP with that shit already???

Unless there's some DIRECT evidence that this woman's past is harming her students then everyone needs to STFU and evaluate her on her effectiveness as a teacher.

Gawd Damn, it's like we want kids to be hermetically sealed away from everything that hints at sexuality. Ain't gonna happen, and the more we try, the more it actually harms the next generation. We shouldn't let OUR discomfort with sex ruin kids. That's just fucked up.

[seabeyond]

14. surely it being elementary school, we are ALLOWEd to THINK about the children. i understand

du tends to reject or scorn the thought of actually thinking about the children. but since it is about the children, maybe thinking about them is .... o.k.

secondly, lady should have thought twice about putting picture and info easily accessible on the net.

third, it is not about sex, it is about selling body to be used for sex. different subject.

just pointing out your hyperbole in your post, not really arguing this issue

[JackRiddler]

130. It being an elementary school is another reason why this is irrelevant.

The supposed influence of her past being in the papers will be even more negligible.

I am thinking of the children when I say they should be discouraged from becoming sex workers, but they should also be protected from having far, far worse professions presented to them as role models - soldiers, for example.

[msanthrope]

140. Her video--made in 2009--is easily available to these children. In it, she describes sex acts

she did for money. She isn't advocating that they don't do it.

[JackRiddler]

173. Oh horrors! Horrors!!!!

Obviously recruiting for the sex industry!

[Bugenhagen]

197. also 90 brazillion other sex vids are available... nt

[1955doubledie]

213. Brazilian sex videos?

Are they dubbed in English? I knew there was something about that Amazon jungle... :spray:

[kirby]

23. Think of the children...unless it means inconvenience

of a longer school year for example.

[laughingliberal]

50. Also, think of the children unless it means finding money to house and feed them.

I'd call the parents who think this teacher is the worst threat their children face lucky.

[WinkyDink]

26. ESPECIALLY considering the US HATES its children! Cf: Poverty stats.

[msanthrope]

95. What's your opinion on her video?

Do you think that her students will be able to respect her? Parents will be able to trust her?

[sinkingfeeling]

8. No, I don't think she should be fired. She has changed her occupation. What she did in the past

shouldn't be a factor in her current employment.

[msanthrope]

16. Except that she isn't saying she did the wrong thing--

from the link--

"Petro declined to speak with the Post, but it's clear from her essay that she knew what was at stake. She writes, "I hope to never again make the choice to trade sex for cash even as I risk my current job and social standing to speak out for an individual's right to do so.""


Not the role model I want in a school.

[sinkingfeeling]

137. You see, you think she did the wrong thing, she doesn't.

[msanthrope]

150. I am sure she doesn't think posting videos that her students could access

is the wrong thing.

I am sure she doesn't think that being a prostitute is wrong.

I am sure that she doesn't think that it's relevant to her teaching certification that she was a sex worker.

[1955doubledie]

214. If her students could access HER video, they could access ANY porn.

Sheesh. :banghead:

[seabeyond]

216. they are accessing the teacher... not porn. need i hit my head against a wall now

with the stupid.

[Bucky]

244. Ideally, yes, it shouldn't matter. But it's not an appropriate thing to announce in that job.

If for nothing else, it's wrong to make this public announcement for the distraction that it will create in the community. This revelation is clearly at odds with the standards of the community. I think administrative reassignment is an appropriate response here by the administration.

[uncommon]

9. Interesting conundrum...

I don't think she should be fired. But it also was not wise to make this public.

I believe in second chances and if she got herself through college and is a good teacher, then why shouldn't she have her job?

[blondeatlast]

18. Agreed. I can only think that someone threatened to expose her, in which case

she made a tough, but wise decision to go public.

[msanthrope]

25. Nope--read her article at HuffPo--she wasn't threatened--she just got tenure!!!

So she wrote an article on her diasppointment with Craig's List shutting down the 'erotic services' section, because that's how she scored her tricks....

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

97. Not mutually exclusive.

Do you really think that, without her coming out, nobody would ever find out?

[msanthrope]

106. Well, her video--made in 2009, didn't 'out' her. I think she deliberately

outed herself after she got tenure...

The precious darling is writing a memoir, according to her PR.

[haele]

119. So, she's advocating for a normally underground business to be safe -

To keep from driving it underground, to make sure that it can be monitored, to make sure the people who find themselves in the position that they are buying or selling can be more safe.

I don't like prostitution - personally, I think it's degrading - but intellectually, I know that it has a long history, just like sharecropping, itinerant tinkers, and begging. And I'm certainly old enough to have known, worked with, or been friends with both men and women who have been prostitutes, beggars, or gang members/dealers in the past when they were stuck in a cycle of bad luck or depression and had been struggling to make ends meet.

But - and here's the big issue - as long as people need to touch and be touched, or to feel more powerful when they usually feel useless and frightened, and are willing to pay money to feel that way, there will be prostitution.
As long as there are unskilled men and women (or those with skills that aren't necessary) who live on the edge and can't easily find ways to support themselves or their families other than to sell their bodies, there will be prostitution.
The more disgusting, underground and unregulated you make it, the more victimization of those who participate in the activity happens.

It is far more dangerous and damaging for the erotic services section of Craig's List to go down for those who buy or sell sex (and for law enforcement who monitor the vile stuff like child pornography or sex trafficking)than it was damaging for the kids to find out that there was an erotic services section in Craig's List.

Haele

[msanthrope]

125. While describing sex acts she did for money in a performance piece.

Political advocacy is one thing.
When you make a video describing sex acts you did for money, put your name on it, and then place it where your students can find it-- you aren't fit to be a teacher.

[Goblinmonger]

229. Place it where students can find it?

Did she leave copies on their desk? Are you telling me that the filters at their school allow porn through? Or are you telling me that they may be looking at porn at home under the supervision of their parents which, really, isn't this woman's problem.

[seabeyond]

136. how we cushion. "kids to find out that there was an erotic services section in Craig's List"

no. the kids find out that the teacher sold her body to be used for sex.

when you change the emphasis, it matters. they arent gonna be talking about erotic section of craig less. they will talk about buying her to boink her.

[msanthrope]

85. Because of her video on the web where she describes thinking about teaching while having sex.

I found this in 10 seconds--think it would take her students that long to find her story about doing 'doubles' while stripping?


http://vodpod.com/watch/3147237-melissa-petro-stripping-in-mexico

[HughBeaumont]

10. Um, no.

Yet another victim of a puritanical, sexually repressed society. We seem to be setting a "mountain of wet carpets" precedent here; where people are eternally defined by what they used to be.

[rfranklin]

11. She showed very poor judgment in what she revealed online...

and that is the issue for me. Why would she be publicizing her former work as a prostitute? For what purpose?

[no_hypocrisy]

12. Last time I looked, there was no morality clause in teachers' contracts.

This is a non-story.

[proud2BlibKansan]

118. My thoughts exactly

BUT I don't believe it covers past immoral acts. Unless she lied on her application, I don't think they have grounds to fire her. :shrug:

[msanthrope]

128. Her video was made in 2009. During her employment. n/t

[Renew Deal]

13. Why would she admit that?

There's nothing good that would come of it. Some people have no brain. "Hooking" is a crime, so she will probably be fired.

[msanthrope]

19. Because she's an advocate for legalized prostitution....you should read her

screed at HuffPo.

[Renew Deal]

40. That's a pretty dumb thing to be when you're a public school teacher.

Parents and particularly moms will not stand for a prostitute teaching their kids.

[msanthrope]

44. Prostitute who just got tenure, BTW--her 3-year probationary period

was just up.

She now has tenure...think it's coincidence she waited to publish?

Downthread, I note how NYC teacher's union is about to start contract talks, and are resisting Joe Klien's demand that it should be easier to fire certain teachers....

Wonder what the union thinks about this one....

[Goblinmonger]

230. If she got tenure, she must be a good teacher.

The horrors.

[laughingliberal]

51. Why would advocating for legalized prostitution be 'dumb.' It's legal where I live & works well. nt

[Quantess]

Unfortunately, it was dumb in her case.

The reputation of former sex worker clashes with being a teacher. She would have done herself a favor to keep it a secret.

[laughingliberal]

61. I'll let her be the judge of what is 'dumb' in her life.

Many people throughout history have risked scorn and livelihoods to stand for principles in which they believe.

[msanthrope]

63. She put up a video about her experiences as a stripper--

http://vodpod.com/watch/3147237-melissa-petro-stripping-in-mexico

[blondeatlast]

66. Wow, you really seem to be heavily researching this.

Crusade on, msanthrope! You'll defeat those evil public school teacher unions someday!

[seabeyond]

68. all this is accessable to all the kids, that now know this about their teacher

that will now google her.

generally on du we embrace research before judging. you are getting more pissed with the more research....

[msanthrope]

75. It took 10 seconds on Google. It might take her students 20. n/t

[seabeyond]

67. teach the children well..... done with this thread. stopped at piss and burning garbage. nt

[laughingliberal]

74. And? nt

[seabeyond]

58. ya. since it is hidden, all is well.... gotcha. nt

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/sep/07/usa.gender


There is only one place in the US where brothels are legal, and that's Nevada - a state in which prostitution has been considered a necessary service industry since the days when the place was populated solely by prospecters. There are at least 20 legal brothels in business now. Not so many, you might think, but these state-sanctioned operations punch above their weight in PR terms.
Take HBO's hit documentary series, Cathouse, which features the most famous of the Nevadan brothels, the Moonlight Bunny Ranch. Tune in and you'd be forgiven for thinking that all prostitutes in Nevada are on to a good thing. The women speak coyly about loving their work, their customers, their bosses. "The series sheds light not only on the numerous joys and challenges of working at a legal brothel," says the HBO website, "but on the therapeutic benefits that customers take with them after a stint at the Ranch."

Given such great PR, a new book - Prostitution and Trafficking in Nevada: Making the Connections - makes interesting reading. During a two-year investigation, the author, Melissa Farley, visited eight legal brothels in Nevada, interviewing 45 women and a number of brothel owners. Far from enjoying better conditions than those who work illegally, the prostitutes she spoke to are often subject to slave-like conditions.

Described as "pussy penitentiaries" by one interviewee, the brothels tend to be in the middle of nowhere, out of sight of ordinary Nevadans. (Brothels are officially allowed only in counties with populations of fewer than 400,000, so prostitution remains an illegal - though vast - trade in conurbations such as Las Vegas.) The brothel prostitutes often live in prison-like conditions, locked in or forbidden to leave.

"The physical appearance of these buildings is shocking," says Farley. "They look like wide trailers with barbed wire around them - little jails." The rooms all have panic buttons, but many women told her that they had experienced violent and sexual abuse from the customers and pimps.

[laughingliberal]

73. That article is not completely accurate. Many brothels in my area are very high profile.

As for the buildings, the ones in my area have all rebuilt, remodeled, or are in the process of doing so resulting in structures that are more like high end resorts than the run down trailers of old.

The visibility of the industry spurred by "Cathouse" and the promotional efforts of the Bunny Ranch owner (who also owns 1 other brothel in our county and 2 others in the state) are bringing the industry here out of the shadows. Several of the houses here are very involved in local philanthropy and the tax revenue is one of the major sources of funding for our county. Several of the legal prostitutes from the area testified before the legislature last year in support of a new tax on services in an effort to be more contributory to the community.

[uncommon]

252. At one time they wouldn't stand for a homosexual or a divorcee teaching their kids either.

What a foolish response.

[seabeyond]

254. homosexuality is not a choice. might want to get off that comparison. nt

[msanthrope]

15. Lying about former employment is a fireable offense....

wonder what her application says.

[blondeatlast]

28. And it certainly is effective at stopping everyone else from lying

about it.

I wanna live in your world, I really do.

[msanthrope]

42. The world where public servants who work with children shouldn't lie

on their job applications?

Try reality.

[ixion]

17. No, she shouldn't be fired, and no this is not news. If she is good at teaching

what she does with her private life is no one's business.

[seabeyond]

22. you it is on the internet, it is not private. nt

[msanthrope]

46. Right, because public servants who work with children should get a pass

on lying on their job applications....

[Goblinmonger]

231. And you know she lied how?

Do you think that every person who earned a couple thousand bucks doing random yard work or painting puts that on their application?

Show proof that she lied or stop with the meme.

[GoldenOldie]

20. If she had proclaimed her re-birth and love of Jesus......all would be forgiven!

[cliffordu]

177. No shit. Perfect.

[seabeyond]

179. IF she brought her rebirth and love of jesus into the classroom, then there would be hell to pay. nt

[Bucky]

245. Not on this board.

[Iggo]

21. Long as she don't wanna be QB for the Eagles...

...I say Live and Let Live.

:popcorn:

[WinkyDink]

24. So what? She worked to improve her lot in life.

[Bucky]

247. I think it's a pretty sad world we live in when being a teacher is a step up in pay from sex worker

[Taverner]

27. Hell no

If anything, she should tell her story

[Lucian]

29. Why should she be fired?

What she did in the past has no effect on the children she's teaching.

[msanthrope]

33. Because she lied on her job application. n/t

[Lucian]

37. Who doesn't?

[msanthrope]

41. Lots of people. Not everyone takes public service so cavalierly.

I love this defense tactic--that it's okay for public servants to lie on their job applications...

Public servants who work with children....

Fantastic.

[Lucian]

117. Well, I'm glad I have a shining star of an example of what a person should be like...

right before me.

:eyes:

[seabeyond]

43. me. i dont need to and why would i set myself up to be fired.... nt

[msanthrope]

48. Apparently, it's okay for public servants who work with children to lie on

their job applications as long as the crimes are right....

Jeebus.

[seabeyond]

59. yup. fits the agenda. no hypocrisy there. nt

[Name removed]

91. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Chemical Bill]

52. Where does it say she lied on her job application? n/t

[msanthrope]

56. Do you think she listed 'prostitute' as a former job?

Because that's what she was. And...it is a job.

She was also a stripper. Think she included that?

[Chemical Bill]

79. I don't put all my former jobs on any applications...

I only put jobs that are in the field and reflect well on me. Hyperbole, anyone...?

Bill

[msanthrope]

81. How about on certifications for professional licenses?

Let's say truthfulness on job applications is optional.

Do you think you are only allowed to list jobs "that are in the field and reflect well on me" when you apply for certification to teach children?

[Chemical Bill]

84. I don't list all my jobs on licenses either, and I have two.

I taught for two years in a private school, and they didn't ask much.

I have some sympathy for your point, however, as I think women who wear bras or color their hair are lying. I just think that the hookers and druggies I saw while growing up were a valuable part of my education.

Bill

[msanthrope]

96. Do your licenses allow you to work with minor children, or other vulnerable populations? n/t

[Chemical Bill]

101. As I said...

I think that knowing hookers and druggies while I was growing up was a valuable thing.

Bill

[msanthrope]

103. Nice avoidance of my question. Pray tell, did you encounter your hookers

and druggies in your classroom?

[Chemical Bill]

113. Certainly. Though as a teacher the kids hid it from me rather well.

Some are dead now, which is a better anti-drug education than any. But the hookers may have all lived, I haven't kept up.

And no, I didn't need any license, or background check, to work as a private school teacher.

I disagree with your insistence that this woman lied on her job application, that this might make her unfit to teach, or that prostitution makes her unfit to teach. I don't favor punishing this kind of behavior.

Bill

[msanthrope]

142. In 2009, she put up a video describing sex acts she made for money. I found it

by googling her name.

That makes her unfit to teach.

[Chemical Bill]

219. In your opinion.... n/t

[uncommon]

57. Was she convicted of a felony?

Or did she just commit crimes?

Job applications ask about convictions.

[msanthrope]

80. They ask about prior jobs--she was a prostitute and a stripper. Made a video

about it, too....

which I'm sure her students will enjoy.

ETA--what about her teacher's certification? Think the fact she was a sex worker might have been of interest to the NYS board?

[uncommon]

102. I used to work as a chambermaid - I don't put that on my job applications

because it isn't relevant.

[msanthrope]

110. Okay, I understand that.

But what about certification for working with minor children?

Think that being a sex worker might be relevant to that?

[uncommon]

122. Not necessarily. Sex worker does not = sexual predator. If anything, those who employ them

are the predators.

[muriel_volestrangler]

151. If she'd admitted to sleeping with a married man, would that make her unfit?

I'd argue that sleeping (for free) with a married man is more 'immoral', sexually, than sleeping with unmarried men for money.

Would you say that anyone known to have committed adultery is unsuitable to be a teacher?

[seabeyond]

155. then what does having sex (no sleeping) with a married man for money?

why are you assuming she only took money from single men, lol

[muriel_volestrangler]

163. I'm not assuming it

But this poster seems to be arguing, at length, that the woman is so immoral than she cannot be trusted with the education of children. They've already assumed that she lied on an application form, with no justification. I'm trying to find the morals the DUer is demanding of all teachers.

[seabeyond]

170. nt

[Statistical]

165. Why would it be relevent?

Do you have any statistical data that indicates ex-prostitutes are more likely to harm children than the general population.

You don't exclude a group of people because you find their past job "icky" you only exclude people who have a statistically increased chance of harming a child. Such determination isn't made based on opinion of who is or isn't "good" around children it is made based on historical data.

Example would be: those convicted of felonies, those convicted of child abuse, those convicted of spousal abuse, those on sex offender registry.

Unless she falls into one of those (or other) prohibited classes there is relevance in your past employment.

[muriel_volestrangler]

107. You still haven't pointed to a lie, though

You are just saying they would have liked to know. I'm sure they would, but unless there's some catch-all "have you ever done anything that might be held to be immoral in the future" question, there may well not be a lie. From the description in the Huffington Post, she wouldn't have broken British law; the NY Post mentions Mexico and London as the locations for her 'sexcapades', and it's not clear if the prostitution was elsewhere.

[sonomak]

30. She has more courage and integrity than most people

[msanthrope]

32. Yes, waiting for tenure to reveal you've lied on your job application is an honorable move. n/t

[Iggo]

38. Don't you understand?

The most important thing in life is to NOT LIE ON YOUR JOB APPLICATION!!!

:eyes:

[msanthrope]

49. When you are a public servant that works with children, lying on your

job application--your teacher's certificate application--is a dishonorable thing.

[laughingliberal]

55. I wasn't aware applications ask applicants if they have engaged in prostitution.

:shrug:

[msanthrope]

65. They ask your prior occupations. Think she listed being a prostitute or

a stripper?

She put up a video about being a stripper...

http://vodpod.com/watch/3147237-melissa-petro-stripping-in-mexico

[laughingliberal]

76. They ask you to list your former employment.

Most strippers and prostitutes are independent contractors. I'd bet a lot of people who sell on Ebay or at flea markets on the weekends don't list that on their employment history, either.

[mitchum]

105. When you are a public servant who works with children, lying IS a job duty...

in that one is always supposed to paint a rosy, optimistic picture of life's possibilities.
However, life is very often not like that at all.

[msanthrope]

31. She just got tenure--I wonder if the union will defend her during the inquiry. n/t

[msanthrope]

54. OMG--the union is escorting her to work.....

"Petro also joked about her recent popularity with guys on Facebook, saying that she hoped a car outside of her home was a teachers-union escort instead of “one of the 200 creepy dudes now trying to 'friend' me.""

http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/prostitute-turned-third-grade-art-teacher-melissa-petro-jokes-facebook-09-28-2010

[PVnRT]

70. My goodness, you're a prude

Of course, I'm sure your REAL concern is that she lied on a job application. Yep.

[msanthrope]

83. My concern is public servants who work with children lying on their job applications, and the people

who think this is okay....just because of her professions, current and past.

[EOTE]

121. You don't know if she lied on her application or not.

It is certainly not legally required to list every previous job on every job application. Your real issue is that you think no former prostitute should ever have gainful employment again. It's pretty sick.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

133. +1 for spot-on-ness.

[1955doubledie]

218. +10

nt

[msanthrope]

148. I think that people who post videos describing sex acts they did for money shouldn't work with

children.


I think when you go for certification to teach children, you being a sex worker is a relevant piece of information.

And she will have gainful employment--she's announced she's writing a memoir.

[EOTE]

161. I thought your problem was her lying on her application?

I see you've moved that goalpost a bit. And once again, it's not relevant. That would effectively preclude her from working at just about any job. It's her right not to include it.

[last_texas_dem]

183. Why is the "working with children" aspect so alarming to you?

She's a former sex worker, not a convicted pedophile.

[msanthrope]

187. Because in part of her video she spoke about how she thinks about teaching when having sex with

her boyfriend.

Watch her video. She made it in 2009, describing sex acts she did for money, and made it easily available.

[Goblinmonger]

241. OK, I might understand if she had said that she thinks about sex

when she is teaching her children. But she doesn't. I will freely admit that while having sex with my wife I have thought about something that happened in school. I have also thought about food when having sex, about movies I have seen. Perhaps I'm a little scattered and unfocused at times.

But why does that bother you so much? I really don't understand.

[seabeyond]

248. ha ha... perhaps a little scattered adn unfocused

thanks for the giggle

hit me as a cute.

[Goblinmonger]

240. Just checked the license application for my state.

They do not ask any questions that would require to reveal that information. I just checked the application for the district I work in. Same thing.

Unless you have information showing that she lied on her application, stop it.

[Radical Activist]

129. Of course they will.

The union has to defend everyone, whether they deserve to be fired or not. That's what they do.

[The Midway Rebel]

34. Hot for teacher.

What a salacious story. I love it. I don't think she should necessarily be fired but her employer and the community might feel differently. Guess which side the Supremes are on?

At the least, I'd say she is an idiot if expects to keep her job in a public school after such personal revelations.

[gkhouston]

35. Is she a good teacher? If she is, then I see no reason to fire her. n/t

[Warpy]

36. I think she's a great role model

because she "went straight."

Seriously, isn't the whole religious ideal based on the ability of sinners to change?

It seems all the picklefaces out there want to punish people and to prevent them from changing their lives so they can feel superior and punish them more.

Now should she be caught teaching six year olds how to give proper blow jobs, they might have a basis for complaint. Since she's a qualified teacher who is teaching them course work, they do not.

[arthritisR_US]

120. finally, the voice of reason, TY! I'm so sick of the self-righteous, sanctimonious

shit I've been reading. Some people really put the lie to the idea of "christian charity of spirit" and redemption. Good post Warpy. :-)

[Dappleganger]

184. +10000

[msanthrope]

39. Melissa Petro just screwed her union, but good.

NYC teachers have contract talks this Fall.

Joe Klein wants concessions to fire teachers more easily--see, "The Rubber Room."

Petro just got tenure a month ago...and she's already under investigation.

Nice move, Melissa. Nice PR nightmare for your union.

[blondeatlast]

47. Try not to salivate on your keyboard. This is hardly going to hurt the union,

but you just keep happy-dancing.

[msanthrope]

53. Actually, this, combined with the "Rubber Room," is going to be

beaten over Mulgrew's head.

It's already started---she won't shut up on Facebook, and the NYC media has already picked up the fact that the teacher's union is now escorting her...

"Prostitute Turned Third Grade Art Teacher, Melissa Petro, Jokes on Facebook

Fellow Bronx teacher Ruben Brosbe asked the outted Petro via Facebook, "Didn't you see this coming?" after her past was revealed through the New York Post.

“We talked about it on the first day of training," said Brosbe.

"Of course I saw it coming," Petro replied.

Petro also joked about her recent popularity with guys on Facebook, saying that she hoped a car outside of her home was a teachers-union escort instead of “one of the 200 creepy dudes now trying to 'friend' me.""

http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/prostitute-turned-third-grade-art-teacher-melissa-petro-jokes-facebook-09-28-2010

[blondeatlast]

62. The New York Post. nt

[msanthrope]

82. Never underestimate the power of the Post in NYC....makes you puke, but

never, ever underestimate what the New York Post can do.

[JackRiddler]

132. Obviously you are happy to contribute to that power...

which, after all, is based on its own reputation for being powerful.

Fuck the New York Post. Rag that loses huge amounts of money every year just so that Murdoch can have an attack vehicle in the city. A joke to most New Yorkers, and fuck the morons who fall for it anyway.

[blondeatlast]

168. Word. nt

[joeybee12]

45. Wow, what a great way to have an intelligent discussion on education in this country!

Wow! I'm sure that was your intent, right?

[msanthrope]

60. VIDEO of Melissa Petro talking about her prior job--stripping in Mexico.

http://vodpod.com/watch/3147237-melissa-petro-stripping-in-mexico

[apples and oranges]

64. That's kind of sick

she thinks about teaching while having sex and I guess vice versa?

[msanthrope]

72. wait 'til the part where she describes working 'doubles.' n/t

[blondeatlast]

78. No, thanks--but you just keep on keepin; on, as long as you enjoy it. nt

[msanthrope]

90. What? She isn't still defensible after that video? n/t

[blondeatlast]

116. I don't care to watch it; but you enjoy it all you want. nt

[msanthrope]

145. Why not? This is the woman you think is fit to teach. Why not watch what she thinks is appropriate

for her students to see?

Don't let the cognitive dissonance hit you.

[Goblinmonger]

243. Do you want to know what every teacher does and thinks?

She never said she wanted her students to watch it. She probably doesn't want them to watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre, either.

[Quantess]

100. That was far too annoying to watch more than one minute.

Her performance seemed very self-indulgent. Sort of like bad performance art. Or an exceptionally unfunny comedy routine.

I find her very annoying, but I would like her better if she was doing all this after quitting the teaching business.

[uncommon]

108. Do you separate all of your thoughts in life?

I can't watch the vid at work, but I think about all manner of things while I am here and all manner of things when I am having sex. Such is my right unless we are enacting thought-crimes legislation.

[msanthrope]

112. No--but I don't voice them all. On the Internet. Where my students can find. n/t

[Iggo]

144. OIC.

Say no more.

[Goblinmonger]

242. How do you guess that? Did she say it?

And have you ever thought about sex at work? People think about sex all the time. Even teachers. At work. Get over yourself. Projection, perhaps?

[PVnRT]

71. Strippers should be forced to do that for life as punishment

It's a sin against GAWD.

[msanthrope]

77. Who forced her to make that video and put it on the Internets?

If you had a video of a male teacher who talked about thinking about teaching while having sex, would you be okay with that???

[eilen]

261. I watch Hung

About a male teacher who is a prostitute. I'm not really creeped out by it. He's not having sex with students.

However, I know a lady who's husband divorced her for a former student he was having some kind of sex with in his classroom. He kept his job. As far as I know, they didn't make a video (*although, come to think of it they would probably clean up as it would play to a niche market).

I don't know how many 6 year olds would even be interested in watching her video. When my son was six he was mostly interested in Superheros and video games, not the internet.

I heard the girl Spitzer was caught hiring was running for political office.

[old mark]

167. Do you want to watch strippers in their 60's and 70's?...maybe not for life, then...nt

[Name removed]

69. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lance_Boyle]

86. Unless the statute of limitations for prosecuting prostituion has not yet passed,

what's the beef?

[msanthrope]

94. Lying on your job application and teacher's certification as to your

former employment. Generally, I'm of the opinion that public servants who work with children should be held to pretty strict standards.

Posting a video on the Internet--in 2009--describing your experiences. And starting off that tale by decribing how you were thinking of your teaching job while having sex....and then describing how you did 'doubles' while stripping...

If I'm a parent at Bronx PS 70, I'd be a little pissed.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

87. Yeah, let's tattoo "FORMER PROSTITUTE" on her forehead!

Then again, hold the "FORMER". Once a prostitute, always a prostitute!!11(biblepi/3)11!!

BURN THE WITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Name removed]

88. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

92. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[msanthrope]

93. No tattoo needed--just watch the video she posted....in 2009. n/t

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

99. You know what I want?

If (IF) she gets fired, I want her to find a better-paying, more fulfilling line of work, and rub that on everyone's nose.

[blondeatlast]

114. Maybe others aren't as interested in it as you seem to be. nt

[seabeyond]

138. *sigh*. lol. she goes on net and says, look at me, look at me. we look. you GRIPE. lol nt

[msanthrope]

153. Oh--the local news has been running her videos--yes, now we have more than one..and pictures.

She put out PR that now she's writing a memoir--and updating her Facebook page constantly...

the poor dear...

[seabeyond]

156. well goodie.... now we can all play in her prostitution with her. private my ass... lol. nt

[msanthrope]

158. I bet it's all a calculated stunt--she got tenure last month, and

she knows she'll benefit from the "rubber room" for a while, and have the union defending her.

[Goblinmonger]

246. Yes, what a great calculated plot.

She got tenure at a job that really isn't respected in society anyway just so that she could put out this video and be treated by shit by people like you. Who WOULDN'T want to do that.

Put down the crack pipe for a minute and think before you type.

[Name removed]

89. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[haele]

109. Just for that? Heck no. What are we, back in the days of the fallen, soiled doves?

If she's a good teacher, who the heck cares what she did, unless she brought it into class.
Is she telling the kids, hey just for kicks and some extra cash, just do it?
No, she writes - "I hope to never again make the choice to trade sex for cash even as I risk my current job and social standing to speak out for an individual's right to do so."
I see that as a very understanding view about some of the choices people make, and of the virtue of compassion.

As for "I don't want my daughters to be around that kind of person", do they say the same thing about someone who is a recovering alcoholic or drug abuser, a parolee - anyone else who has "fallen" but gotten themselves straightened up?
What work options does it give those who have screwed up early in life, the street kids, run-aways, and throw-aways who may have turned to prostitution to stay alive? What about the couple college girls I knew who stripped or pole-danced their way through to a Master's Degree?

"That kind of person" can live next door to you. "That kind of person" can be the loving parent of your kid's best friend. And you'd never know - so if what they did that was "so wrong" never hurt anyone but them and they're no longer engaged in that activity, what changes if it comes out in the open?

It's the hypocrites that hurt others and hide their own misdoings, the bullies, panderers, sociopaths, and con artists that I don't want my kid to be around. Someone who made a mistake in judgment - by choice or necessity and takes responsibility for it doesn't usually earn my scorn or disrespect.
Well, maybe they do get disrespect if they keep making the same mistakes over and over, and refuse to learn from them and/or throws blame on others.

Haele

[Biker13]

111. She should be fired.

Not just for her lies. Certain choices in life have consequences, some have life-long consequences. That is an important lesson to be learned.

I will not blame the parents for being uncomfortable with this, it's their right.

Biker's Old Lady

[DainBramaged]

115. (sigh)

Just another case of you can't have a private life according you you and the Right-wingers of the world.

:spank:

[seabeyond]

139. *sigh* just another case of INTERNET is not PRIVATE. lol. such a duh

that so many dont seem to grasp. really, lol, once out there, it isnt private.

[DainBramaged]

141. That isnt the issue, but why think logically.......

:eyes:

[seabeyond]

143. well, ya. that is the issue. if it were kept private,... then it would then be a non issue

and

private

but she gets on net and says...

look at me

what part of that is

private.

[DainBramaged]

159. And if you could 'see beyond' you'd get it

but I'm done in this thread. Cya. Polish your nails on your shirt, you're absolutely correct in your assumptions.

[seabeyond]

172. the issue is... she did not leave it in the past. going public, she brought prostitution

into the classroom. what that has to do with seeing beyond, nails, shirt leaves me clueless

[uncommon]

123. Of course, punish the dirty dirty whore.

Never mind that those who paid her will never be out of a job because of it and are much more likely to be dangerous to society.

:puke:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

131. You know what's telling? Not the opinion itself... it's the GUSTO. The EAGERNESS.

The "I'm a shark and I smell blood, yay!" vibe.

It reeks of misogyny.

[uncommon]

135. I couldn't agree more. It's one thing to show legitimate concern about a person's

character - it's another thing entirely to equate sex workers with abusers and to go for the jugular in such an automatic fashion.

[blondeatlast]

146. Well, that's what Jesus said, right?

:thumbsup:

Of course, he never did, so maybe not.

[Quantess]

164. Somewhat related, but a little off-topic here:

what about the sick psychopaths who are so obsessed with hating prostitutes, they vow to clean up society by murdering them... oh but they'll still have sex with them, of course.

[Iggo]

147. Bull.Fucking.Shit.

:hi:

[Odin2005]

207. I think you are at the wrong website.

[Daninmo]

124. So what?

No big deal to me. Heck, I have friends who "used" to be Republicans. If she is not breaking the law now, I don't see the problem with her past profession.

[Radical Activist]

126. It's always the art teachers.

No, she shouldn't be fired.

[Arkana]

127. If it's not affecting her ability to do her job they have no right to fire her.

[msanthrope]

152. Actually, that's an interesting point---given the videos (it's now more than one in the local press)

posted, can she do her job effectively?

[seabeyond]

157. that was my initial consideration. now what. what will her class be like. kids wont stay quiet.

what happens when some kid gets brave enough to ask her about strippin and prostitutin? are the kids going to be educated by the teacher or the prostitute.

[SargeUNN]

134. What has been like since entering the vocation?

I think people can turn from one thing not acceptable and start to do something productive. Let's take a look at Oskar Schindler who was not interested in saving Jews when he first started. He was after getting rich, but along the way he saw he could do something great and he did it. Should we say Schindler was crap because he started out with another motive and had a reputation not too acceptable, or should we credit him for his heroism? Just think of the thousands he caused to live, are they worth forgiving him of his less than admirable qualities? I say yes.

[rucky]

149. But how are her students' test scores?

Isn't that the only thing that matters?

[Freddie Stubbs]

154. Sounds like she didn't want to continue working as a teacher any more

[tammywammy]

162. Well, I think she wanted the press

If she hadn't gotten tenure they could have easily let her go, but now not so much.

:shrug:

[msanthrope]

185. This screams "I Want a Book Deal..." n/t

[Freddie Stubbs]

208. Did she seriously expect to continue teaching after this?

She is either going to get fired or a settlement. But they are unlikely to allow her into a classroom again.

[cliffordu]

160. Great! I think sex workers have a right to change careers also..

unless they way to stay where they are.

Unfortunately, just like the pot laws in this country, it's criminal,

Gangs, pimps, venereal disease and violence follow illegal prostituion

which is the real crime.

[seabeyond]

171. should they then bring it into the classrooms? going public and on internet, did she not bring it

into the classroom?

[cliffordu]

175. perhaps parents should keep their children off porn sites in in spite of

whatever is reported in the media.

I don't know if it's in the classsroom or not.

If sex itself weren't relegated to the extremes of abstinence or porn, if women weren't relegated to the extremes of whores or madonnas this wouldn't be any big thing.


I'd almost bet that there are more men at parent's day than before she came out.

[seabeyond]

178. ahhhh. so regardless of the inappropriate behavior of this person with responsibilities,

having taken a position (leaving, commendedly, her old ways behind) teaching children, we will continue to protect her irresponsible behavior blaming the children that will find access to this information that she has absolutely no desire at all to keep away from the kids. and further ignore any disruption or problems it may cause in class. then add a little more, denigrating married men now wanting to use the woman for their entertainment, as if they have absolutely no standard that they live by.

i guess the next argument will be, that the little kids need to learn about sex anyway, they may as well get it from this woman.

i dont care about her. or her job. but to defend her is about stupid.

when a person takes a teaching position, they do have responsibilities. just like with so many other positions a person may take

she failed, purposely.

[cliffordu]

188. My grandmother, my aunts and my mother sold sex for a living when

nothing else was available. That's the story as to how I got here.

They were treated like garbage as a result. The ones that stopped it (including my mother) went on to live reasonable lives, the ones who didn't died terrible, slow deaths.

I believe you have other issues here that cause you to protest a little too much....

I guess we'd have to keep combat veterans out of the classroom, too, cause they might be asked what it's like to kill someone.

:shrug:


kids see more sex on television weekly than they ever will in her press reports, and the levels of porn available for free makes her little performances insignificant.

I'd be more concerned with kids watching crush films.

But that's just me, YMMV

[seabeyond]

195. because i disagree with you and state it, that means i have issues and protest too much?

then, since you protest too much, i would suggest that you have issues.

and does your mother, or did your mother proudly hold up her experience allowing it to trip her up, when she had walked away from it? or did she let it be in the past, and got on with life?

and this woman did it cause she was bored. not because she was desperate.

are the combat vets posting on the net illegal behaviors and bringing it to public awareness; ergo, his students and the classroom?

the argument with porn use to be that it was not meant for kids, it belonged in the adult world. we will keep it seperate. now it is meh, they can suck it up.... it is everyones world?

[cliffordu]

196. Mom didn't give a shit who knew.

She was more worried about being outed as a drunk, specially after she hooked a nice straight boy who knocked her up with my sister.

I guess I was a surprise to the guy, he never adjusted.....lol...

Grandma never really stopped until she was just too old to get clients.

Then she married 6 different sick men in over 20 years earning an honest living after all....

Marriage for her was all bid'ness.....

My grandmother was probably the hardest human being I have ever known, and that's saying something.

Ah, the American family.

[seabeyond]

199. well

i am sorry for you. though that does no good. i am

a kid deserves (and i dont use that word often) so much more. that probably includes your mom as a kid and your grandma

[cliffordu]

200. Thanks for your sympathy. I'd rather have a shoebox of 20 dollar bills,

but that's just me.

If there had been a healthy view of sex in this country, my life and the lives of my mother and her family would have been a lot better.


Maybe in my lifetime it'll get better, in the meantime I'll advocate for legalizing, regulating and destigmatizing the practice.

Fook me, it's been here since humans organized into groups as far as I know, demonizing the practice is just stupid.

[seabeyond]

201. dont have to demonize the person, and i dont think a single person would have done anything but

applaud this woman for walking away, and knowing it is an unhealthy choice in life. even in places where it is legalized it is not all bless. they have consequences to the legalization (action/reaction at its best) that countries are now all over to address. sweden has cut their prostitution in half with new proposals that they have put out to combat some of the consequences. and they are happy about it. they are not saying, oh man.... sales are down.

and it does not belong in an elementary school, which this woman did, consciously, with purpose. that is not a matter of a puritan society. or anyone being a prude. it is a matter of not having the adult sexual world be a part of our childrens life. it isnt their world.

[seabeyond]

202. and

it was more empathy than sympathy.

[cliffordu]

203. Anything that begins with ..."Im sorry for you.."

seems sympathy as far as I know.

I don't feel sorry for me.

[uncommon]

223. How's the view from your high horse today?

Sometimes people have to do what they have to do, and sometimes they choose to do it, and how superior you must feel to knock them down for it.

I don't care if she wasn't desperate - it's not up to you to judge her ability to teach a subject to kids based on that fact that she was paid for sex.

This concept that she should be forced out of "normal" work because she is a former sex worker is absolutely disgusting and constitutes anti-democratic and divisive rhetoric as far as this DUer is concerned.

[seabeyond]

226. the true rhetoric is suggesting because of her former job, she should be forced out of present job

the fact that she took her former job and allowed it to become a part of her present job is the issue. she chose to make it public bringing it into her classroom for her own gain, without consideration for her students.

it is all about her. it is all about her actions. it is all about her want and need for the attention

she got it.

choice? isnt it kinda assumptive of you to decide all of my lifetime and choices without knowing a god damn thing?

[uncommon]

233. If she shows the video in her classroom, or explicitly tells her students about it, then she is

guilty of bringing it into the classroom.

I certainly hope her elementary school art students don't read HuffPo and aren't allowed unfettered internet access.

[seabeyond]

235. it was in the NY post wasnt it? do you think that every kid in that school does not now know about

their teacher?

[uncommon]

238. The original article was in HuffPo. And why is it relevant?

Her students are very young children - children who do not read the newspaper. And who wouldn't understand it even if they did.

[seabeyond]

239. relevant? you say kids cannot possibly be exposed to story. my kids read newspaper regularly in 5th

grade history class. parents are going to read and talk about it. some kids are going to hear and share with other kids.... all over school. little johnny googles cause he as access....

this is the reallity we live in that most all of us know and accept as price, posting on internet. fuck, we teach our kids to understand this to not hurt their future. and still

you blame everyone but the one person that outted and made public her past experience for the world to view.

[uncommon]

249. I never said she wasn't to blame for publicizing it - I said it doesn't disqualify her to be a

teacher. Kids whisper about many, many things.

She made her experience public because she believes it should be legal and protected and not hidden and dirty and sending women to prison. And I agree with her. I wish she never felt the need to do it, but I don't think she is a bad person and I won't think it. I don't think she is a sexual predator that people need to worry about being around children.

And the view she espouses is a relatively common one, particularly with liberals.

Kids whisper about teachers who are or who are presumed to be gay too - should we make sure those teachers don't make it public knowledge in order to avoid this unsavory harm to our children? :sarcasm:

[seabeyond]

253. i have not said anything about her being fired, a predator, or a bad person.

and she is responsible for what she put on the net about her

so

looks like we are in agreement with that.

as far as comparing her actions to kids whispering that a teaher is gay? hardly. she put up on the net not only she was a prostitute, but also a tape discussing her sex acts. these are the thing, when we get into a profession like oh say, a teacher, we might think thru if we want to keep our job.

we ALL experience this in our life, in our use of the net.

she. brought. her. prostitution. into the classroom. it is as simple as that.

how everyone judges it, the action taken, is none of my business and dont give a flyin fuck.

what happens, she created.

[uncommon]

222. A-fucking-men, thank you.

And I am sorry to hear about the rough times some of your family members have had. Best to all.

[laughingliberal]

181. +1000 nt

[old mark]

166. So what - this means she changed her life and she should be commended. nt

[msanthrope]

192. You should watch her videos---she hasn't changed her life. n/t

[Statistical]

169. So once a sex worker always a sex worker?

Is that the new fundie law?

Unless she did this while a teacher I don't see the issue.

Did she exercise poor judgement? I would say so but seeing as she is a union employee with tenure I doubt "poor judgement" is sufficient cause to fire her. If it is then that union lawyer is an idiot because virtually anyone could be fired under the wide open "poor judgement" clause.

[KittyWampus]

174. Who's more ridiculous- the "prudes" or the ones falling for this manipulative scam artist's

publicity stunt.

All the DU'ers falling over themselves defending this attention whore make me LOL.

Like this story got started because the bad, bad fundies outed a poor woman just trying to turn over a new leaf.

Oy.

She's playing you all for suckers- the outraged prudes AND the uber-libreals rushing to defend her. And she'll probably make a bundle selling her story to Lifetime.

[cliffordu]

176. kinda harsh, IMNSHO...

:rofl:

[msanthrope]

194. good point--I'll take my lumps

and be done with this "attention whore."

[SoCalDem]

260. and Faux News will report the story as UNIONS once again "wasting" dues money

protecting teachers "like that"..

[Dappleganger]

182. If she still does it, yes.

Otherwise, no it is none of my business and I don't care. Kudos to her for putting herself through school and getting a respectable position, too.

[Name removed]

186. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Warren DeMontague]

189. No.

Not unless she's not doing her job.

[ibegurpard]

191. I think this calls for dismantling public education

[lumberjack_jeff]

193. Yes, I do. n/t

[lightningandsnow]

198. I actually think this is really awesome.

Sex workers are people just like you and me, and come from all walks of life.

I know a former sex worker who has two young nieces and is absolutely amazing with them - she'd be a great teacher if that was what she chose to do.

The sex workers I know are kind, intelligent, creative and passionate people.

[salin]

204. I think she clearly made a choice to find out (per writing an article on HuffPo)

That (posting the article) is one way to create ones opportunity for 15 minutes of fame.

[kwassa]

205. Will she be getting merit pay for her performance?

[Odin2005]

206. Absolutely not. The "slut-shaming" in this thread is disgusting.

[Wednesdays]

209. Amen.

I guess to some, once a woman is a stripper/prostitute, there's no chance at rehabilitation...for life. :eyes:

[seabeyond]

210. except she put it out there for all and brought it into her environment. how is this about everyone

else when it is clearly what her intent was.

amazing creating her as a victim as she was responsible for it.

[1955doubledie]

221. Dunno what you mean. She's not a "victim" AFAIK

It's just funny seeing the attitudes expressed here. It's as though the Fall of Mankind were upon us.

[uncommon]

225. If she is an advocate for legalizing prostitution or

just a voice for the occupation, does this preclude her from taking part in legitimate and legal employment?

She may have made it public, but the attacks, especially from so-called progressives, are disgusting.

[seabeyond]

228. a person can advocate legalization of prostitution without putting up their sex acts on the net

for the classroom kids to read. as a responsible person, with a responsible job, she could have made choices that would allow her to fill her desire to advocate legalization, without incurring anyone condemnation.

internet is public

we all know this or should by now. there are consequences putting whatever on the net.

[uncommon]

232. For the last time, if you are allowing your kids unfettered access to the internet, they could see

ANYTHING - not just this.

Have some damn responsibility. Kids aren't reading HuffPo and they shouldn't have sufficient access to the internet to view pornography.

[seabeyond]

236. ah, we set up the net for all, then we say it is adult world, kids stay out.

my kids dont have access. many kids do have access. they are going to google her name. they are going to get the story. you continually shield this woman from her own actions. protecting her from what she did to self. and blaming everyone else for her intent to make this public.

truly amazing.

[uncommon]

250. I am not "protecting" her - I am defending her. I don't think she should be fired and I don't think

she is a danger to children.

[seabeyond]

255. i dont care if she is fired and i dont think she is a danger as in sexual predator

that would not be my concern in the classroom

[uncommon]

258. Then what is your concern? Honestly? Because from what you have posted,

it certainly sounds like you think she is "bringing into the classroom" which she clearly has not done.

So your issue must be that she is a dirty whore and should have kept her dirty whore secrets to herself rather than using her own past to advocate for freedom for people who have very few advocates.

[seabeyond]

259. the reality is, i have no "concerns"

per se

i got into this discussion from particular points people were making. one of my issue, is making her the victim, when she went on net saying, look at me

and a persons scorn with.... think of the children. well hell, elementary school, i would think that is a place to "think" about the children.

another point is that she is not responsible for it going into classroom. and i think she is

another is, kids in classroom wont know.... ya they will

you gave me all the other bullshit and reasoning. and you continued in the post above.

i have been clear on what i felt were the points. it isnt my problem when people ignore what i say, and make up their own story.

[uncommon]

224. Thank you.

I frankly don't care what she did with her body for or not for money. If she is a good teacher then that is what matters.

And if she is an advocate for legalization or even just awareness, then more power to her. It's not the path I would choose but I don't consider myself better than her for that.

[MadHound]

212. What a sad statement about teacher pay this is

She felt that despite having a college degree in a (somewhat) respected profession, she needed to earn extra cash by selling herself.

Just goes to show how abysmal teacher pay truly is. But she will be condemned anyway, and teachers' pay will continue to deteriorate.

[JustAnotherGen]

217. No she shouldn't be fired

[BoneDaddy]

220. What a careless dummy

What did she expect the reaction to be?

[T. Count]

227. Good. She can mentor HS school girls who are interested in going into the trade.

Sarcasm for the impaired.

[treestar]

234. No, in fact that woman is an idiot

What is wrong with a role model of someone who got herself out of prostitution and into something respectable?

Further, it depends on what kind of teacher she is. There is no reason to lose a good teacher because of their past if they have overcome it.

[seabeyond]

237. she seems to be inflitrating the two professions. i see no desire to overcome shit

she brought it into her teaching world.

[uncommon]

251. She did NOT bring it into the classroom. She wrote an article about it, she didn't announce it to

her art students.

Get a grip.

[seabeyond]

256. when she went public, she brought it into the classroom

say hello to reality.

[mcollins]

257. did she sleep with students? nt