Program for November 21, 2010
TEACHERS — ROLE MODELS & PERSONAL PRIVACY
Recently, Zhu Songhua, an elementary school teacher in China and a part-time magazine model, has been attracting a lot of attention when many of her photographs were released on the internet. She has become famous and attracted many fans, who called her "China's sexiest teacher". However, many Chinese parents have shown their disapproval and have demanded the teacher to stop her model career. Many parents also call for stricter dress code for teachers across the country.
Elsewhere in the USA, Tiffany Shepherd, a 30-year-old high school science teacher, did some bikini poses for a local fishing boat website. When her school's administration found out about the photographs, she was forced to resign. Similarly, Tamara Hoover was an art teacher, who was loved by many students and parents for her ability to encourage and nurture her students' talents. Yet, when some of her topless photos were posted by her boyfriend (without her knowledge) on Flickr, her school decided to terminate her contract.
These are just a few examples of a growing trend, in which many good teachers get criticized or even lose their jobs for things that they do outside of school. Some blame the internet for blurring the line between private life and professional/public life. Others say the problem isn't the internet but our old-fashion attitude that fails to respect personal privacy.
Discussion
- Do you think that our teachers should serve as role models for students?
- Should the teacher be judged by the things they do outside of school?
- Do you agree that there should be a dress code for teachers in Vietnam?
- Should we teach children how to separate private life and professional life, and how to respect other people's privacy? Do you think that Bill Clinton is a bad president for his affairs with Lewinsky?
References
Story on Zhu Songhua and many more of her pictures. She looks very young for a 30-year-old, doesn't she?
