Sex education classes for teachers
What?? Are you kidding me?? Just when you think you have heard it all, OMG! Actually, it’s not as bad as it sounds. It really is just explaining some “common sense” behaviors for teachers. Yeah, yeah, I know, teachers should know this stuff. But, the way technology is, and how it is advancing along with all the scandals (possibly lack of some self-control) it might be wise to study up on some critical advise. I know it sounds crazy, but with all the myspace, text and IM messaging, people can get caught up. Just making teachers aware of some of the do’s and don’ts of how not to cross the line when trying to help some of these lost souls. I’d take the class if it was offered!

It’s a class every new teacher within AISD must take called: how to maintain a professional relationship with a student and avoid any instances of misconduct, sexual or otherwise.

“It’s not about child abuse,” said AISD police Lt. Silas Griggs. “It’s not about the age of the child. It’s about the relationship between the educator and the student. It’s about the educator’s ability to manipulate the student.”

That is the message AISD is trying to teach teachers before an incident ever arises. Teachers must avoid creating too personal of a relationship with a student. That includes no physical misconduct and no inappropriate contact via e-mail, text message or social networking sites.

“We are trying to teach them to not give out their personal contact information, not to make them their friends on ‘Facebook’ or ‘Myspace,’” said AISD attorney Ylise Janssen.

Janssen said she tells all new teachers that any web surfing or e-mail writing they do on District computers is not confidential and it’s not private.

Other inappropriate behavior includes text messaging a student late at night or instant messaging about anything not school related.

“This is so they’re not in a position to come back later and say ‘I just didn’t know,’ ” she said. “They know when they leave our trainings that it’s serious business.”