With this recent case, www.adultfyi.com/read.php?ID=37976 in just two years, four Spring ISD teachers have been arrested and accused of having sex with a student:
Houston, Texas – from www.39online.com -A shadow has been cast over Spring ISD after allegations surfaced of a teacher-student relationship.
Spring High School biology teacher, Deanna Higgins, [pictured] was placed on administrative leave following allegations she carried on a sexual relationship with a then 16-year-old student.
“No matter how old the child is it is an abusive relationships,” said Jennipher Cole with the De Pelchin Children’s Center. So, it can really lead to a lot of different effects; it can lead to depression, low self esteem, isolation, withdraw.”
Cole believes school districts need to better train and educate instructors about the harm such relationships can have on their students.
It’s a boundary educators have been told time and again not to cross.
“The children are not part of the dating pool,” said Gayle Fallon, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers.
The teacher’s union has a code of conduct manual for its members outlining appropriate and inappropriate behavior between educators and students. It’s a guide that has evolved with the times.
“Most of the cautions we gave our members were male teachers – don’t do anything that even looks inappropriate, don’t be alone with a student,” said Fallon. “Now it just goes out to everyone.”
Even so, it appears the warnings have not been heeded. In just two years, four Spring ISD teachers have been arrested and accused of having sex with a student. And other districts are dealing with similar situations.
“It is important for the teachers to maintain that healthy boundary in their role as an educator and as the power person in the relationship,” said Cole.
Under Texas law it’s illegal for educators to engage in a sexual relationship with a student no matter how old they are.
“They need to look at you are risking your right to walk free. You’re going to be labeled a sex offender for the rest of your life,” said Fallon.
As for Higgins, she has been charged with felony sexual assault of a child and is facing up to ten years behind bars.