….but I’m thinking that Robin Ater’s not going to get my vote. Not after two teenagers were stopped for driving while intoxicated after drinking beer at her house. Between the evidence (including a receipt for the beer bought earlier in the day) and the statements provided by the teens, police believe that Ater provided them with the beer. Hey, I’m all for going the extra mile for your students, but what ever happened to the traditional method- strapping on a pair of kneepads and giving them some individualized oral attention? At least the kid would wake up with a smile instead of a hangover the next morning.
I recognize, of course, that sexually abusing a child isn’t a laughing matter, but judging by the media’s reaction you’d think that teachers schtupping or treating their students to inappropriate behavior is a recent phenomenon. I’d wager that the only thing that’s changed is that with so many more information sources avaliable today, reports of miscreant teachers seem to be more frequent. Adults haven’t changed much since I was a kid, but kids today are exposed to a much more sexually-charged environment than my generation was.
What amazes me is the degree to which some adults seem unable to recognize boundaries. Their students are not little adults, and they’re not going to handle things like sex, drugs, and alcohol in the same manner an adult might…not that adults necessarily have a monopoly on maturity, mind you.
Ms. Ater deserves whatever she punishment she gets- and then some. If she is in fact guilty of procuring and providing alcohol to minors, she should be put away for a long, long time. Don’t think for a minute, though, that her story is going to scare anyone straight. The next story about a teacher sleeping with/providing alcohol to/engaging in inappropriate behavior with their students should be coming in 4…3…2….
Same as it ever was….
