Teacher Arrested because of malware is vindicated...almost

[ztirffritz]

I'm not sure how many people remember or follow this story.

A substitute teacher was asked to present a lesson that involved a computer and a projector. She was given strict instructions not to do anything to the computer if she had problems. She turned on the computer and it started showing porn ads. She left the room to get help while the computer continued to spew porn to the class. Yes, she should have turned off the projector, no, she shouldn't have left the room, but she definitely should not have been sentenced to jail time for child endangerment. The judge has decided to drop the felony charges, but she has still given up her teaching license, paid a $100 fine, and agreed to plead guilty to a mis-demeanor disorderly conduct charge. The rub was that the school had allowed the AV software, anti-spyware software and web-filters to lapse. They provided faulty tools, inadequate training and then blamed the results on her. I find every aspect of this case repulsive.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-1010774...l?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5

[Ombligo]

I agree..

School administrations across the country routinely sacrifice teachers to save their butts.

Yes there are bad teachers but the majority are just trying to do their job and help our youth. yet it only takes one kid to lie and a career is ruined. Parants can get grades changed simply by saying it's unfair. Administrators cave and teachers pay.

21st century American education

[cbelt3]

What's worse is the whole system, where any teacher who even accidentally shows pr0n to children is considered to be a sexual predator. What about the violence ? We're so interested in protecting our kids from sex, then we inundate them with violence.

In the above mentioned case the teacher should have the opportunity to sue the shorts off the school district that screwed up in the first place.

[rz]

I'd be finding a good lawyer. She should be able to retire with the amount a good lawyer could get her.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

The only teachers that would have known what to do immediately are those that have suffered through it repeatedly. If those are the facts, leaving on the projector was dumb and she should have been reprimanded. End of story.

[RAMd®d]

I find every aspect of this case repulsive.

I could not agree more.

While somebody with the appropriate presence of mind could have turned off the projector, I can easily see how a teacher could be spooked, shocked and embarrassed enough to go seek help.

If she too surprised/shocked to turn off the computer (after being told *not to touch the computer*) I don't see what difference her presence in the room would make. Now if some if the kids started behaving abusively, then sure, she should have stayed.

But I just don't see how any of that justified losing her career and pleading guilty to a crime.

The judge, school, and possibly "outraged parents" (usually they are the first to call for a public hanging) are certainly to blame.

[ztirffritz]

I always find it strange that people are so up tight about sex anyway. It is an activity that we all do or will indulge in within our lives. We all look forward to it (hopefully).

We seem to be strangely unconcerned with violence however. Few, if any, of us will ever beat someone to within an inch of their lives, fire a weapon at another human, or brandish a knife with hostile intent, yet we eagerly watch or except this in movies and television.

But sex, which we all do, is taboo. Why? This observation disturbs me greatly.

[Article Accelerator]

She definitely made a mistake if the facts are as you presented, Z.

But so did the school by school/school board by utilizing a known susceptible computing platform that was allowed to go unprotected thereby exposing her (and her students) to this hazard.

It could make for an interesting lawsuit...

[karsen]

There's a good reason for schools to switch to Macs!

[SDGuy]

"Julie Amero...surrendered her teaching license...New London County State's Attorney Michael Regan said he remained convinced of Amero's guilt and was prepared to take the case to trial again."

Doesn't sound like justice to me. She lost her job, and this dipsh*t wants to refile charges. Hope she can win a civil suit of some sort - and that the voters of New London County remember this come election time.