You Cannot Escape Your Past

Today I found a disappointing case in California where a middle school science teacher lost her job due to past appearances in pornographic films. She stated that she had taken this role due to financial issues after her boyfriend left her. Students and some teachers looked her up and the school district decided such a history meant she could not function as a teacher. Additionally, she had been deceitful about her nine months in the adult film industry.

What the hell? I grant that the theory behind this is that students are supposed to see teachers as good role models but is it any better to teach them that your personal history is all that matters to your life in the present? That you cannot change from poor choices you made in the past? It might be one thing if the teacher in question had done various illegal activities in the past, but pornography is legal in the United States. It's not right that a brief choice made for financial reasons results in a teacher losing her career. The only portion that I legitimately see as a reason to fire her would be that she did not mention her pornographic appearances when taking the job at the school. However, given the reaction to when this information came to light I do not think I can blame her for concealing it.

This is disappointing because everyone has made mistakes in their past. I have alcoholism and received a disorderly conduct misdemeanor from one unfortunate event in my past, but I learned from that event to improve my behavior in the future. It is unfortunate that children are encouraged to believe that changes in behavior are irrelevant, once you have done something it marks you forever.