Racy Web photos of teacher spark curiosity, parent complaint
By Christina DeNardo
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 12, 2006
Provocative pictures of West Boca High teacher Erica Chevillar have been posted on the Web all year with no complaints, but now students have been trading site links and at least one parent has complained.
Chevillar, a first-year social studies teacher, told officials she had forgotten about the pictures taken while in college.
West Boca High teacher Erica Chevillar told officials she had forgotten about the pictures taken while in college.
Should Erica Chevillar have been disciplined for posing in racy photographs?
Yes, the photographs reflect poorly on the school district.
No, they are not that big of a deal.
Earlier this week, a parent complained about the pictures of Chevillar posted on the U.S.A. National Bikini Team Web site and some students have begun sending links to the site, although the site is blocked by district computers.
Although Chevillar, 25, won't be disciplined for her actions, the complaint has publicized the site, which shows Chevillar in more than two dozen poses, including one in a G-string. The Web site for the Boca Raton-based company features dozens of models from throughout the country posing in string bikinis and lingerie. The company publishes a calendar, produces DVDs and makes its models available for parties.
The pictures may be embarrassing for the school and district, but they aren't against policy, spokesman Nat Harrington said.
Harrington said the West Boca High principal has spoken to Chevillar about the pictures. Chevillar has said she plans to leave teaching and become a real estate agent ? a decision she made earlier.
Harrington said he is not aware of similar incidents, but in the past teachers and other public employees have been suspended and fired for risqu? appearances and pictures. In 2002, a Broward County teacher was recommended for firing and then resigned in 2002 after officials there learned he appeared in a pornographic video.
In April, Department of Children and Families social worker Alison Cushman was fired from her job after officials learned she got naked in an appearance on Howard Stern's radio show. Photos of her were posted on the show's Web site. It was the second time she took off her clothes on the show. After her first appearance, she was warned another appearance could get her fired.
Her boyfriend, Boynton Beach Detective Troy Raines was reprimanded by the department for talking about his sex life on the show and giving Stern a replica badge.
Although there are many policies about the responsibilities of teachers, they focus on instruction. Their personal lives is a gray area they must navigate on their own.
Harrington said teachers should be aware their position puts them under a microscope.
West Boca parent Rita Solnet-Motta who heard about the site said she felt sorry for Chevillar because of the publicity surrounding the pictures. "We all do stupid things in college," she said. "Maybe it's a good lesson for the kids to learn when you do stupid things when you're young it can come back to haunt them."
:sadwave: :sadwave:
