by Anne-Marie Nichols
Well, I did it. I posted every single day in November here at Teacher Smackdown as part of NaBloPoMo. And now it’s time to say goodbye.
Recently, the folks at ClubMom.com cancelled their blogging program to focus all their efforts at CafeMom.com, a social networking site for moms.
I’ve been blogging at ClubMom at A Readable Feast and will be taking my 18 months of content to a self-hosted blog called My Readable Feast at www.myreadablefeast.com around January 1, 2008. Also, I’ve been hired to work as a community manager at CafeMom. So between the two projects, I’m going to be very busy.
With that in mind, I had to look cut out some things. Ultimately, that’s why my time at Teacher Smackdown has to end.
I’ve enjoyed my time here at 451Press. It’s a great team and a great community. I would encourage any blogger, especially those just starting out, to blog at 451Press. They offer great support.
The money hasn’t been great, but it’s never been about the money. Instead, it’s been about exposing the creeps who pray on our kids. If that’s your mission in life, why not apply to become 451Press writer and take it over?
by Anne-Marie Nichols
Update to:
Update on Kelsey Peterson and Her 13-Year-Old Victim, Fernando Rodriguez
Teacher Kelsey Peterson Caught in Mexico After Kidnapping 13-Year-Old Student
Kelsey Peterson, the Nebraska schoolteacher accused of having sex with her 13-year-old male student Fernando Rodriguez and then fleeing with him to Mexico, is now in more legal trouble. Peterson is going through a custody battle for her eight-year-old daughter. She had left the girl with her her parents before escaping with the boy,
Now the girl’s father, William Alexander Long who lives in McKinney, Texas, has temporary custody of the girl.
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by Anne-Marie Nichols
UPDATE to Teacher Elizabeth Logan Charged with Theft and Computer Crime for Stealing Student’s Coat, Selling it on eBay
In Hillsboro, Oregon, teacher Elizabeth Lucinda Logan, 42, was sentenced to 18 months of probation for stealing a student’s coat and selling it on eBay. She was found guilty of attempted first-degree theft, computer crime, and third-degree theft.
Judge Hernandez lectured Logan and said that he expected more from her because she was a teacher. He said that she should have known better.
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by Anne-Marie Nichols
In Barnwell, South Carolina, Steve Walling was served with six (!) warrants for counts of committing a lewd act on a child under 16. He was caught “improperly touching children” according to news reports.
Walling is a physical education teacher at Barnwell Elementary School. He also helps coach the middle school football team.
Police say the incidents involved a fourth grade girl and happened during the past two years. I am not sure that this means the sexual abuse started when she was in second grade - that means the girl was around seven-years-old folks! Still a fourth grader is only nine years old.
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by Anne-Marie Nichols
In Grand Junction, Colorado, teacher Gretchen Blackford confessed to police that she stole at least $15,000 from the parent-teacher organization. She was the president of the Parent Teacher Council at Thunder Mountain Elementary School. Blackford teaches fifth grade at Rocky Mountain Elementary in Clifton, Colorado.
She said she used the money for her personal use. However, police say that it may take up to two months to determine how much money Blackford stole and when. She will not be arrested until the investigation is complete.
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by Anne-Marie Nichols
In Knoxville, Tennessee, English teacher and football coach Stephen Pebley. He was arrested in the largest meth lab bust in Claiborne County history. He was one of four people arrested]ted. All face a manufacturing of meth charge.
Police said that they caught the suspects cooking meth, and finished product was sitting on top of the stove. A total of seven grams of meth was confiscated.
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by Anne-Marie Nichols
In Erie, Pennsylvania, substitute teacher Erica L. Baker, 24, was arrested on charges that she had sexual contact with a female student over the summer. She is charged with a first degree misdemeanor - three counts of corruption of minors.
Baker was working at Pfieffer-Burleigh Elementary School until the district suspended her. Previously, Baker was a student teacher at Strong Vincent High School where she met the then 16-year-old student.
The two were originally friends then their relationship became sexual over the summer. The girl, who is still a student at Strong Vincent, would meet Baker and drive to a parking lot near the entrance to a local state park to have sex.
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by Anne-Marie Nichols
Joshua J. Schwartz, 30, a language arts teacher at St. Ambrose Catholic school in Tuscon, Arizona, was arrested in connection with a marijuana growing operation. Schwartz taught sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders.
His arrest is a result of an incident when when police searched a house in response to a report of a burglary in progress. Neighbors reported seeing a bunch of kids entering and exiting through the back of the home, and said they were carrying large trash bags filled with unknown items. (Hmmmmm…drug runners?)
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by Anne-Marie Nichols
I get a lot of grief here at Teacher Smackdown for never writing about all the good teachers out there. Well, that’s what your local press is for folks. Me, I’m just into exposing the bad ones and warning you how to protect your kids from these evil doers.
Since it’s Thanksgiving day, I’d like for all my readers to take a moment, and think about all the good teachers, instructors and coaches you knew during your school years (college, too!)
The ones who supported you and told you that you were smart. The ones that inspired you and exposed you to great books and ideas. The ones who got you started on your career path or helped you through a difficult time in your life. The ones who gave you a second chance when you screwed up. The ones who made you laugh.
Thank you wonderful teachers for all your hard work, love and dedication. We appreciate and give thanks for you today!
(Feel free to share below about your favorite teacher. And Happy Thanksgiving!)
by Anne-Marie Nichols
In Denver, Gary Wade, 57, was charged with sexual assault on a child by a person in position of trust. Police believe that there may be more than one victim.
Wade worked as a teacher’s aide at Steele Elementary School, a preschool through fifth grade program. When it came to the faculty’s attention that he had done something inappropriate with a student, they contacted the Denver Public Schools Safety and Security Department. They in turn contacted police.
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by Anne-Marie Nichols
In Wisconsin, teacher’s aide Brenda K. Baillargeon, 39, was charged with a class H felony for having sex with a 16-year-old male student that she was tutoring. If she is found guilty, she faces six years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Geez, it would have been cheaper to get a male prostitute.
Baillargeon had sexual intercourse with the victim sometime last May at a lake cabin. The two also had sex in August at the teen’s home while his mother was away and in September at the teacher’s home. One time they met in an alley to make out.
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by Anne-Marie Nichols
In Denver, Colorado Meredith Hollen, 40, faces two counts of sex assault on a child and one count of sex assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. She teaches at Graland Country Day School, an exclusive prep school for kindergarten through ninth grade.
Police report that Hollen did not been teach at the school this year and that the alleged assault happened before this school year. However, they were only recently notified of the abuse.
I wonder why? Did the school try to hide it? Or more likely, the parents did not go to the authorities until recently and maybe only at the urging of the school, a lawyer, or a medical professional.
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by Anne-Marie Nichols
Update to: Marshalls Arrest Fugitive Teacher Andrew L. Foster for Having Sex with Two Students - One is Pregnant
In Florida, Santaluces High School drama teacher Andrew Foster, 27, faces charges in connection to having sexual relationships with two of his female students. Both were 17. The charges include unlawful sexual activity with a minor, child abuse, and transmission of pornography by electronic device.
He used his office, the school’s auditorium, catwalks, the theater’s control room, restrooms, and closets to have sex with the two girls. He would also send them X-rated cell phone pictures. Finally, he impregnated one student twice and signed off on her abortion.
The real tragedy was that the girl (known as D.N.) was in love with him and recorded this in her diary. It was not until she looked at Foster’s cellphone and saw that he was text messaging another girl that she confronted him. He admitted he was having sex with the other girl. That is when D.N. went to the police.
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by Anne-Marie Nichols
Kind of a quiet week at Teacher Smackdown. Maybe people are trying to be extra good for Santa…well everyone but these two.
John Erickson
In Alta, California, John Erickson, a retired teacher who works as a teacher’s aide for an hour a day, was arrested on suspicion of committing lewd acts with a child. He worked at Alta Dutch Flat School and exposed himself to one child.
Placer County sheriffs released Erickson bail. Erickson no longer works at the school and parents were notified of the arrest.
Erickson also owns a Christmas tree farm located near the school.
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In Washington state, Richland High School music teacher 
