Teacher Might Be Dismissed for Pictures
She posed topless, and now she could lose her job. An Austin High School art teacher could lose her job after school officials found photos of her on a Web site.
Right now, Tamara Hoover is on paid suspension. Her attorney, Jay Brim, says AISD wants to get rid of her for good. Brim said he thinks this is the reason the topless pictures of Hoover were put on a Web site.
Hoover's attorney says she did pose topless, but she never gave permission for the topless pictures to be on the Web for everyone to see.
Still once the school found out, Hoover was suspended on May 19.
An investigation began, and then Hoover was essentially told the district wanted her gone, but her attorney believes it's apples and oranges.
"We have an art teacher here, and she was in her private life acting out what her education and background had taught her. It's a difficult situation for the district because they believe damage is done to Ms. Hoover's reputation," Brim said.
Tisha Padilla is an Austin High School student and one of Hoover's former art students.
"Compared to the other art teachers, I liked her the best," Padilla said.
"I think she has a right to keep her job only because the Web site has nothing to do with school. Those kind of pictures are not bad pictures. Just things she thinks is pretty, beautiful," Padilla said.
"Art comes in different forms and her being an art teacher, this is a form of art, and so I think that the school should recognize that," Mona Acosta, who supports Hoover, said.
Hoover is pleading for help on her MySpace Web page. She's asking for donations so she can defend herself at a hearing after the school district decided to begin her termination.
Photographer Celesta Danger says anyone who considers her pictures pornographic is sorely mistaken.
"This is Tamara first thing in the morning. I ran into her room and took a picture with her face all puffy. Her eyes still sealed shut. How the hell is this pornographic?" Danger said.
Danger posted pictures of her girlfriend, Hoover, on her Flickr.com. One of the pictures posted on Danger's Web page at Flickr.com suspended Hoover as an art teacher at Austin High School.
"When you take pictures of someone nude out of context, it's going to look much different. There is a narrative, there is a story. This is life as it's happening. These are things that happen. People take showers. People are naked sometimes," Danger said.
We showed the pictures in question to parents. We got a mixed reaction. Laura Mercer thinks Hoover should absolutely lose her job.
"You want to make sure that the people that are influencing your children are conducting a lifestyle you would want your children to aspire to. And, I wouldn't want my children to aspire to this kind of lifestyle," Laura said.
Laura's husband, Everett, agrees with Danger. He says like it or not, it's life and it's art. It shouldn't have anything to do with Hoover's job.
"It's certainly something I wouldn't approve of. But, I don't think someone should get fired for something they're doing in their personal life," Everett said.
Tuesday afternoon, AISD issued a statement saying: "Please know that AISD has no intention of infringing upon a person's legitimate rights to free speech and expression. However, public school educators are legally held to a higher moral standard, in order to protect the young lives they influence."
Now, despite the controversy, the pictures are still online. Danger says it's her art, and she decides what to do with it. Hoover does plan to fight for her job and to keep her teaching certificate.
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Remind you of anyone? (www.dooce.com)
I can't stand that what is happening in her personal life is affecting her professional one. I heard about this yesterday morning on the Kiss FM Bobby Bones Radio show (see: www.khfi.com) when they were going to send a radio personality out on the street to raise money for the teacher's legal fees. Now this isn't to say that I agree with the way he did it (Hold up a sign saying "Boobies Make Me Learn Better") but I applaud the effort none the less.
I understand that a teacher is held to a higher standard but come on! You can see more than that on "Skinimax" after 10:00 each night.
We live in Austin, Texas for pity's sake. This is one of the most liberal and art-friendly cities in the nation. Driving down sixth street in the middle of the afternoon will probably get you a view of an old man's derrierre in a thong and high heels (ie Leslie-and if you live in Austin you know what I am talking about.)
I might feel differently if the woman were an elementary teacher or if she was advertising the fact that the pictures were out there but she is a highschool art teacher and she didn't even give permission for the picture to be taken! That's like my company firing me over something that YOU posted ABOUT me.
How is any of this right?
Right now, Tamara Hoover is on paid suspension. Her attorney, Jay Brim, says AISD wants to get rid of her for good. Brim said he thinks this is the reason the topless pictures of Hoover were put on a Web site.
Hoover's attorney says she did pose topless, but she never gave permission for the topless pictures to be on the Web for everyone to see.
Still once the school found out, Hoover was suspended on May 19.
An investigation began, and then Hoover was essentially told the district wanted her gone, but her attorney believes it's apples and oranges.
"We have an art teacher here, and she was in her private life acting out what her education and background had taught her. It's a difficult situation for the district because they believe damage is done to Ms. Hoover's reputation," Brim said.
Tisha Padilla is an Austin High School student and one of Hoover's former art students.
"Compared to the other art teachers, I liked her the best," Padilla said.
"I think she has a right to keep her job only because the Web site has nothing to do with school. Those kind of pictures are not bad pictures. Just things she thinks is pretty, beautiful," Padilla said.
"Art comes in different forms and her being an art teacher, this is a form of art, and so I think that the school should recognize that," Mona Acosta, who supports Hoover, said.
Hoover is pleading for help on her MySpace Web page. She's asking for donations so she can defend herself at a hearing after the school district decided to begin her termination.
Photographer Celesta Danger says anyone who considers her pictures pornographic is sorely mistaken.
"This is Tamara first thing in the morning. I ran into her room and took a picture with her face all puffy. Her eyes still sealed shut. How the hell is this pornographic?" Danger said.
Danger posted pictures of her girlfriend, Hoover, on her Flickr.com. One of the pictures posted on Danger's Web page at Flickr.com suspended Hoover as an art teacher at Austin High School.
"When you take pictures of someone nude out of context, it's going to look much different. There is a narrative, there is a story. This is life as it's happening. These are things that happen. People take showers. People are naked sometimes," Danger said.
We showed the pictures in question to parents. We got a mixed reaction. Laura Mercer thinks Hoover should absolutely lose her job.
"You want to make sure that the people that are influencing your children are conducting a lifestyle you would want your children to aspire to. And, I wouldn't want my children to aspire to this kind of lifestyle," Laura said.
Laura's husband, Everett, agrees with Danger. He says like it or not, it's life and it's art. It shouldn't have anything to do with Hoover's job.
"It's certainly something I wouldn't approve of. But, I don't think someone should get fired for something they're doing in their personal life," Everett said.
Tuesday afternoon, AISD issued a statement saying: "Please know that AISD has no intention of infringing upon a person's legitimate rights to free speech and expression. However, public school educators are legally held to a higher moral standard, in order to protect the young lives they influence."
Now, despite the controversy, the pictures are still online. Danger says it's her art, and she decides what to do with it. Hoover does plan to fight for her job and to keep her teaching certificate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remind you of anyone? (www.dooce.com)
I can't stand that what is happening in her personal life is affecting her professional one. I heard about this yesterday morning on the Kiss FM Bobby Bones Radio show (see: www.khfi.com) when they were going to send a radio personality out on the street to raise money for the teacher's legal fees. Now this isn't to say that I agree with the way he did it (Hold up a sign saying "Boobies Make Me Learn Better") but I applaud the effort none the less.
I understand that a teacher is held to a higher standard but come on! You can see more than that on "Skinimax" after 10:00 each night.
We live in Austin, Texas for pity's sake. This is one of the most liberal and art-friendly cities in the nation. Driving down sixth street in the middle of the afternoon will probably get you a view of an old man's derrierre in a thong and high heels (ie Leslie-and if you live in Austin you know what I am talking about.)
I might feel differently if the woman were an elementary teacher or if she was advertising the fact that the pictures were out there but she is a highschool art teacher and she didn't even give permission for the picture to be taken! That's like my company firing me over something that YOU posted ABOUT me.
How is any of this right?
I'm with ya, girl.
Posted by
Kami |
June 20, 2006 9:22 PM