Nude photos lead to deregistration…

The Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal has deregistered a female teacher who sent nude photos of herself to a male student. The photographs were sent to a student who was at her previous school.  At the time he received the photographs he was 14-15 years old.

The teacher stated that she was intoxicated when she sent the photographs and was deeply remorseful for her behaviour. She agreed that sending photographs was a significant breach of trust with the student, his family and the profession.

The teacher self-referred to the Education Council and was undergoing treatment for a major depressive episode.

The Disciplinary Tribunal found that the conduct amounted to serious misconduct and deregistered her. It made an order prohibiting publication of the student and the teacher’s names. Non-publication of the teacher’s name followed evidence that publication would present a real threat to her wellbeing and indeed her life due to her mental state and previous suicide attempt.

Alan Knowsley

Education Lawyer
Wellington