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Show ;MiH;li I Teacher keeping list I f vrgn 's names tragic for students How many virgins are there in Davis County high schools? If you lived in Milford, you might know not only the number, but also the names of the virgins. In what we hope was an unprecedented incident last week, Milford High School teacher, Cherry Florence, was dismissed i - for insubordination, incompetency and neglect of public duty by the Beaver Board of Education after it learned that she shared a list that purportedly named the high school's virgin and non-virgin students. O A news report indicated that in mid-December, rumors cir-I cir-I culated at the school that there was a list indicating which boys and girls in grades 9 through 12 had been sexually active and which ones hadn't Florence agreed to share the list with her classes after being coaxed by her students to do so. The English and physical edu- cation teacher had, according to one mother, released the in- I formation in an attempt to be accepted by her students. This incident must have the majority of teachers outraged. Just when teachers are lobbying the legislature for additional I funding to improve the classrooms, news of one of their own being accused of such a despicable act must be horrifying. Florence's attorney, Michael McCoy with the Utah education edu-cation Association, refuses to answer questions. I will not talk about that case," he told the Clipper. But his silence does not stop the questions. What would I prompt a teacher to produce such a list? More importantly how would such a list be compiled? Was the information taken from private interviews? Students are taught to confide in I teachers when they have a personal problem. Many incidents I I of child abuse and sexual abuse have been reported because a ; dedicated teacher has taken the time to get involved. This kind I of behavior reported from Milford leaves the entire teaching profession with a black eye, which is largely undeserved. I - Every day thousands of dedicated teachers head to class to I help Utah children learn. Every day thousands of dedicated I ' teachers struggle to build the self-esteem of Utah students. It is I sad that one teacher can have such a devastating impact on a I community. I - This incident brings to mind the suggestion of a former I I Davis County commissioner who suggested in 1990 that teens I who had been sexually active not be allowed in public high I - schools. The question was asked how that would have been de-I de-I - termined, and it never occurred to the news media that a I - I teacher might be compiling a list. I ' It is the responsibility of every teacher to protect students I - I from public ridicule, not to wantonly subject them to it. I - I Teachers should never have as their goal popularity with I . I students. A teacher is not going to try out for cheerleader, or I ; I student body officer. I ; I Too many times teachers lose the respect of their students I by trying to be "one of the guys." Students look to teachers I for support and education, not for someone to pal around with I 1 after school. Davis County students responded to a Clipper I survey in 1991 and listed the fact that a teacher "really cared" I I about them as their reason for respecting a teacher. Teachers I I should not take a student into his or her confidence and then I I use the information to hurt the student. I I Let's hope the sad incident in Milford is never repeated. 1 And let's hope Utah students will not stop confiding in their I I teachers to get help with personal problems. |
