Waltham teacher in court today on rape charges

[dancerjodi]

Here's an article - I heard this on the radio during my commute this morning:
http://www.dailynewstribune.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=74678

I never had Mr. Dacey as a teacher because I never attended South Middle School, but my sister was a student with him and my brother potentially was too (I'm not sure when Dacey left South and how that related to when my brother was there). I know he was quite active in the schools with the drama program and I remember going to see my sister in their annual production of "Rock n' Roll" the musical. I think he also had some kind of role in the Waltham Children's summer theater, as did other teachers.

My sister's comments: "I heard about Dacey - fucking pig. Doesn't shock me at all. He was always a little too close to the kids if you ask me."

Which makes you think about what a fine line it is for teachers who want to be active and have a strong role in their student's educational experiences. He may or may not be guilty (and that's not up to me to decide), but how do you say what's *too* close to kids, particularly in that teen age range where interacting as a sort of peer but still with structure/boundaries is the best way to get through to them? Isn't there (coincidentally) a Robin Williams movie in theaters now that touches on this?

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Love, without sexuality, is not, imo, "too close." Unfortunately, one can't tell beforehand whether closeness is a precursor to inappropriate sexual advances. You can't convict a person for their thoughts. (Though plenty of adults who work with kids have been fired or imprisoned for having "kiddie porn" on their computers.)

(And, btw, I think it's "okay" -- though, yeh, not ideal -- for an adult to have sexual impulses towards young people. Young people/teenagers can be damned sexy. (I know: both my 13 year old niece and 16 year old nephew are HOT HOT HOT). It's ACTING on those impulses that's wrong, and an adult who truly is mature will keep their thoughts to themselves and find other outlets. Not every passion HAS to be satisfied.)

[roaming.livejournal.com]

That anonymous comment was me, not realizing I wasn't logged in.

[flamingfemme.livejournal.com]

He also taught drama to the elementary schools... When I was at Whittmeore, we had him two days a week. I never thought he was creepy, but then again, I was only 7.

[celiskywalker.livejournal.com]

We had a teacher like that in middle school: he taught english to 7th grade and coached girls' softball. He was always a little too close to the softball girls for their comfort levels and has been sued for sexual harassment towards students.

Sad times.