NYC Teacher Admits She's a Former Hooker, Stripper

The fact that she did this is not the problem as much as the fact that, according to the article, she is defending an individuals right to sell sex for money. It's not a right, and kids will see it as an option if someone whom they look up to is promoting it as an option and a right.

I'd do her, she is hot. Who cares what she did, people are such squares now a days. It is not 1950 anymore. I live in a school district where teachers have had affairs with students, and none of the teachers had a past like this lady. Maybe if all teachers had pasts like this they wouldnt bother the kids for sex.

The past, and maybe current history of The Board of Education, City of New York has been either trading sex for jobs or paying for Principal positions and Asst. Principal positions. The "pay" for these position went to sitting school board members.

Look at how many of our elected officials have been caught in sexually compromising situations.

This teacher has seen the " error" of her ways and isspeaking out to hopefully m,ake others think before they fall into the sex for money trap.

If she is certified and meets all employment criteria, she is entitled to start a new life and not be denied her livelihood. Hypocritics from the board may sit in judgement of her and use the " whats good for the students" banner to carry forth.

If The New York City Board of Education was interested in what is good for kids, the history of City Education would not include SIX GENERATIONS of educational failure brought upon the children of New York.

I write from experience having been a city teacher and school board member for many years.

If she's not proud of what she used to do, why did she brag about it on Huffington, revealing her real name, her photo, and calling herself a "researcher, writer...and feminist"? She's thumbing her nose at all of us! What was she researching that hasn't been studied to extinction? What has she written, as in actually published?

That is BS that she had to so she could go to college. I paid my way through school the old fashioned way with a crappy job. But I guess giving sex is okay so as to not have to work for a living.

What is ashame is that people's earning power has been diminished since craiglist doesn't offer the section she described. The economy is bad enough without putting people out of work. I'm not saying it is right but when you have a choice between your house and a shelter what is one to do. Look for assistance please. We are all giving less and driving past the homeless and saying quoting Whitley(From A Different world). "The best thing we can do for the poor is to not be one of them"

I'm always amazed at how many parents love to find fault with people that want to teach and help hteir kids, so maybe they should look in the mirror and ask themselves am I perfect.maybe if they would teach them right from wrong , a work ethic and morals at home. too many parents expect theacher to do theirjobs for them when i went to school i wouldnt think of talking back to an adult let alone my teacher but in this world of polictical correctness we see the results i guess what im saying it starts at home so.... i love it when i read oh i didnt know my child.. well why didnt you it is your child

It's ALL IN PACKAGING!!! So what if she WAS in a dubious trade!!?!! Before I taught I grew up running in a gang (we had Colors) and that didn't hurt my students!! I then told them how stupid it was, and that eventually I became one of the best Officers in my department when I became a Police Officer!!! So, did that hurt either?? I think not. Now, if she is telling the kids TO HOOK then she needs to be put in her place as she is tacitly creating a criminal persuasion that could mean "it's her fault". If she is just telling others to NOT be stupid "and do as I did" then she's taking a life lesson and passing it on.

@ETB,

The only parents that are enraged about this are those that lack the ability to explain to their children what "rights" really are. I will assume you are one of them.

The idea that the government can chase down and pursue citizens over victimless "crimes" is wrong. Imposing morality other than murder (ultimately destructive behavior) is wrong.

Before people start saying that prostitution and drug use is wrong, hold your breath. The only reason there are irresponsible stereotypes attached is because there is a lack of education about drugs on a case-by-case basis, as well as a way to openly discuss the dangers and benefits of being sexually active. Why are things this way?

Because a huge combination of prudes and parents gathered together, and combined with the bible-thumping movement are looking to destroy logic and reasoning. You can't question this or that, because its TOO offensive and will send all children that see it into a never-ending vicious cycle of gluttony.

While in reality, we're all contributing to that, because those that want to have constructive discussion are silenced in fear of authority. Most of those that indulge themselves into a world of prostitution or drugs are exposed to the black market that was spawned because there's no government regulations to meet, no taxes to pay, and a huge hole where there should be an education explaining to these people what they're getting into, without bias or propoganda, just facts.

the public can be so hypocritical. Homosexuals, alcoholics, adulterers, fornicators, promiscuous people, etc.teach our children. It seems every where has a don't ask, don't tell policy. Jesus said - let he who is without guilt cast the first stone. We would have NO teachers if all of our pasts had to be examined. We all have things back there we are ashamed of. The beauty of life is that we can overcome anything and become something else and make great contributions into the lives of others. She has triumphed over a negative time in her life. At least she's honest. Give her back her position!

This is exactly what I'd want my kids' teacher telling them. Just like she wrote in her article and I quote:

Ultimately, while my experience as a "non-pro" was not the "fun" I had come looking for -- I found the lifestyle physically demanding, emotionally taxing and spiritually bankrupting, and so I made a decision to desist some months after I'd gotten started, exiting the industry just as freely as I'd entered -- never have I felt it was the state's obligation -- nor its right, in fact -- to protect me from the decisions I made.

Some will, some won't depends upon how you're raised. I have often wondered about those who do, we all know what's done is for money but do people like that ever make enough or do they just want more and more. I wonder also how far will they go, I mean will they go so far as to commit even worse crimes Casandra? Then if they do commit worse will they convince others to as well? People like her will see an abused child and think "Oh look they're just starting young" then do abosolutely nothing to help. Did the teacher receive a promotion or the same pay? Oh well about the worst for her will be reassignment to another school and a lesson in keeping certain behavior confidential.

I agree! Leave her alone that was her past. I know what it takes to become an art teacher in NYC because I am one. It is not easy or cheap. When school is finished, if you are lucky to get a job teaching art, then you worry if you can afford your living expenses alone or if you need to keep living with roomates. Then you worry about paying off your student loans. As for her being a bad example? Isn't she being honest and showing students that she made a better life for herself by going to college and changing her profession?

Our past doesn't define us? Um, yeah OK that literally makes no sense. Our past actually is what made us who we are today, but whatever; go with what gets you through the night I guess. The whole point of this story is everyone has skeletons in the closet, but when you are working with other people's children you might want to at least TRY to keeps yours under lock and key. This lady didn't - so now she gets to suffer the consequences for her stupidity. She could have just as easily written her essay under a pseudonym - she clearly knew what was at stake. I hardly feel bad for her.

Our past may not define our FUTURE, but this woman clearly states that she see's it as a person's right to be a sex worker if they want to be. This is NOT a message we want sent to our kids. If she had written an article saying she was previously a hooker and now she has finally made it out of that awful life and is proudly working as an elementary school teacher, people would have been more likely to forgive her past. But she clearly is saying that, despite the laws of this country, people should be allowed to trade sexual favors for money. When they make prostitution legal this stance will be fine, but from a parents perspective, you don't want your kids teacher to be saying it's OK to break the law if you don't agree with the law in question.

I agree with you that people should always have a shot at redemption but this person is defending the sex trade as though it should be an option. I guess she doesn't see that many women are exploited by it. Though she may have sold herself by choice many women are forced into it. She would like it to be legal but what she may not see is that if it becomes legal there will be a huge demand for women and young girls and not all of those women or girls will enter this "field" by choice.

Christina-I only hope that your past mistakes didn't have a negative impact or influence upon anyone else, that your mistakes weren't at someone else expense or consequence. As adults we are supposed to be responsible, as parents we are supposed to be careful and as teachers we are supposed to be knowledgeable, ask yourself was what she disclosed wise? Didn't she know that?