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

[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.