https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi Angelo State - EGD 6305 en-us 2021-09-19 20:47:37 UTC 2025-09-24 11:40:22 UTC hello@padlet.com jwesley12 https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752361121 I will take my prospective as a high school administrator. This legal padlet will be used as a resource to ensure our teachers are abiding by legal and ethical obligations surrounding relationships with students. 
I selected this topic because sadly, as an administrator, I may be faced with this situation on day and I want to be prepared.]]> 2021-09-19 20:50:21 UTC https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752361121 jwesley12 https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752401153 I interviewed my principal, Tabitha Coffman, at Meadow ISD.
We discussed the prevention and handling of inappropriate student-teacher relationship. Appropriate and respectable relationships between students and teachers are always encouraged. Coffman stated that we want our students to be supported and feel comfortable. But there are lines that have to be drawn. We have a moral and legal obligation to ensure all students at our campus are protected at all costs. We have ethical obligations to ensure that when an inappropriate allegation arises to make an official report and complete an investigation. Dr. Coffman stated that "it needs to always be handled seriously because it has serious implications on students, staff, schools, and entire school districts," (T. Coffman, personal communication, September 17, 2021).
Best Practices:
1. Take rumors and allegations seriously.
2. Report everything and be open during investigations.
3. Protect your students at all costs.
4. Ensure all teachers understand what constitutes an inappropriate relationship.
"An emerging topic that needs to be addressed is the use of social media in today's day in age," (T. Coffman, personal communication, September 17, 2021). Students and teachers can be connected at a few clicks. Teachers need to be aware of the potential implications this can cause and need to stray away from contacting students via social media. 
 ]]> 2021-09-19 21:26:14 UTC https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752401153 jwesley12 https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752413882 Tim Walker (2019) write an article on National Education Association on texting and student-teacher relationships. https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/keeping-fear-factor-out-teacher-student-texting

This article writes about the boundaries that teachers must have in regards to communicating with students. Teachers must be aware of the blurred lines communicating with their students can cause. Some states, like Missouri and Indiana, created laws banning teachers from contacting students, but both were overturned due to overreactions.
Some teachers and coaches need to be in contact with their students. What they need to do is avoid texting privately and download apps like groupme as a way to communicate. Teachers need to use common sense and create and establish boundaries and expectations when talking with students outside of the classroom setting.

Reference:
White, T. (2016, May 26). Keeping the fear factor out of student-teaching texting. National education association. Retrieved from https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/keeping-fear-factor-out-teacher-student-texting 

]]> 2021-09-19 21:39:05 UTC https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752413882 jwesley12 https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752414286 How Schools Can Stop Inappropriate Teacher/Student Relationships - learnsafe.com by Emma (June 29th, 2019)
- sharp increase in sexual abuse from teachers. 7% of 8th-11th grade students have experienced this. 3.5 million students nationwide.
- Alabama, Texas, North Carolina, Louisiana have the highest rates.
- Social Media is the leading cause of rising rates of inappropriate teacher-student relationships.
- Schools should invest in a computer monitoring software that protects its students and teachers from temptation. 
Reference: Emma. (2019, June 24). How schools can stop inappropriate teacher/student relationships. Retrieved September 19, 2021, from https://learnsafe.com/how-schools-can-stop-inappropriate-teacher-student-relationships/. ]]> 2021-09-19 21:39:30 UTC https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752414286 jwesley12 https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752414452 Dallas Morning News - Cases of improper student-teacher relationships on the rise after passage of state law cracks down on educator misconduct by: Nannette Light, Nov. 28, 2018
- During 17-18 TEA opened up the most investigations into inappropriate teacher-student relationships, at 429. This was a 42% increase from the year before.
- Credited the increase to the "Me Too" Movement
- Senate Bill 7: Bettencourt wrote. This law would effect the rehiring of troubled teachers and would criminalize administrators for not reporting allegations.
Reference: Light, N. (2018, November 28). Cases of improper student-teacher relationships on the rise after passage of state law cracks down on educator misconduct. Retrieved from https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2018/11/29/cases-of-improper-student-teacher-relationships-on-the-rise-after-passage-of-state-law-cracks-down-on-educator-misconduct/]]> 2021-09-19 21:39:42 UTC https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752414452 jwesley12 https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752445122 Constitutional Law: Section 1 of the 14th Amendment states that all people in the government are allowed equal protection. This relates to inappropriate student-teacher relationships because all students are guaranteed protection at all costs. 

Reference: U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1.]]> 2021-09-19 22:13:27 UTC https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752445122 jwesley12 https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752445571 State Statutory Law: Section 21. 12 of the Texas Penal code prohibits the sexual relationship of educators and students. Crimes committed may face up to 20 years in prison.
Link: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/pe/htm/pe.21.htm
Reference: Tex. Pen. Code § 12.33]]> 2021-09-19 22:13:54 UTC https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752445571 jwesley12 https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752445981 State Administrative Law: The Texas Administrative Code Section 247 states many different ethical standards educators must abide by. Standard 3.6 states that "the educator shall not solicit or engage in sexual conduct or a romantic relationship with a student or minor."
Link: https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=7&ch=247&rl=2
Reference: Tex. Admin. Code §247.2 3.6]]> 2021-09-19 22:14:24 UTC https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752445981 jwesley12 https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752446406 Judicial Law: Gebser v. Lago Vista I.S.D. (1998). A male teacher sexually abused a female student and the school failed to do anything about it even after hearing about the alleged abuse. 
Reference: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 86 Stat. 373, as amended, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 
Link: https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/96-1866.ZO.html]]> 2021-09-19 22:14:54 UTC https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752446406 jwesley12 https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752471131 From the Meadow ISD Handbook: "Sexual and other harassment of students by employees are forms of discrimination and are
prohibited by law. Romantic or inappropriate social relationships between students and district
employees are prohibited. Employees who suspect a student may have experienced prohibited
harassment are obligated to report their concerns to the campus principal or other appropriate
district official. All allegations of prohibited harassment of a student by an employee or adult
will be reported to the student’s parents and promptly investigated. An employee who knows of
or suspects child abuse must also report his or her knowledge or suspicion to the appropriate
authorities, as required by law. See Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Bullying for additional
information"
Link: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/504761/Meadow_Employee_Handbook_19-20.pdf
Reference: Meadow ISD. (2019-2020). Meadow employee handbook. Retrieved https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/504761/Meadow_Employee_Handbook_19-20.pdf

]]> 2021-09-19 22:43:58 UTC https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752471131 jwesley12 https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752471352 According to the Texas Administrative Code, Principal as Instructional Leader it is my job to ethically ensure all students and staff's well-being are being kept priority.
In regards to sexual relationships, I need to promote a sense of togetherness, but ensure the lines and boundaries are understood by all. Section 251. 15.12 states that principals shall "create an atmosphere of safety that encourages the social, emotional, and physical well-being of staff and students;"
Reference: Tex. Admin. Code §241.15. 12
Link: https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=7&ch=241&rl=15

]]> 2021-09-19 22:44:13 UTC https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752471352 jwesley12 https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752471743 My personal connection to this law is strong. While I was in High School a student I went to school with had an inappropriate relationship with a teacher. It ended very badly and she ended up receiving treatment for mental health. I felt as though the administration and school district did not handle her situation well. She was not supported or cared for. It has led me to be an administrator who follows the law, understands mental health, and is an advocate for my students. ]]> 2021-09-19 22:44:43 UTC https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752471743 jwesley12 https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752472131 Best Practices for Compliance: 
1. Openly communicate with your teachers and staff on the expectations, boundaries, and implications of inappropriate student-teacher relationships.
2. This topic should not be ignored or "pushed under the rug." It is too prevalent in todays society. Teachers and staff members need to have an open dialogue with administrators to answer questions or concerns they may have regarding this situation.
3. As an administrator, I need to stay up to date on laws and regulations relating to inappropriate relationships. It is my ethical and legal duty to protect the rights of my students and my school district.
4. Continuous professional development needs to be implemented to ensure all teachers and staff understand their ethical obligations as an educator.
5. Personally, I would recommend a school create a rule that does not allow teachers, coaches, or staff members communicate with students via text message. There are many apps available to create a safe way of communicating. 
6. Host a conference with the counselor to speak with students and explain the boundaries and expectations when communicating with a teacher. Allow them to express their thoughts and seek counseling if necessary. ]]> 2021-09-19 22:45:05 UTC https://padlet.com/jwesley12/1624bqj3o0s4bhsi/wish/1752472131