Abuse--Case Study #2

Case Study #2
You were a student teacher at a local high school 5 years ago. During this time, Cara went to the same high school although she was never one of your students. Tonight, you are dancing at a local club and Cara asks you to dance. Cara is now 23 and you are less than 5 years older than she is. You and Cara really hit it off and you think you could have a meaningful relationship with her.

Response
This case is a really challenging situation.  Some may say that it would be nothing but harmless considering the time that had passed since the student teaching and the relationship.  Still, others may find it inappropriate because of the fact that she did happen to be a student during the student teaching.  My first thoughts were that this relationship would not cause any problems.  The more I think about it I can see where going on with the relationship would take very careful consideration from both the teacher and Cara.

From looking at the scenario I am unsure whether or not the guy who had previously student taught is currently teaching and whether or not it as at the school that is mentioned.  If he is not teaching I believe the relationship could be appropriate.  There would not be students, their parents, or school personnel to discuss the situation with if a problem or questions were to come up.  Still, it would probably be best if the teacher contacted an administrator at the school and let them know about the relationship.  This way they would be aware if anyone were to raise questions about how long the relationship had been going on to the school.

If he were currently teaching in the same area, or even in the same school, I believe the relationship could be appropriate, but it could potentially lead to some questions and accusations from others.  Before continuing with the relationship he would be best off to talk with both the administrators at his current school and the school in which he did his student teaching.  To protect himself he could get something in writing saying that all parties involved were aware of the situation, and that nothing inappropriate had went on while he was in the same school as Cara.

These are my opinions on the situation, but I could certainly see how someone else may look at this situation completely different.  If less time had passed, maybe only two years, I think I would probably feel much differently myself.  Also, if Cara had actually been a student of his I think there would be more things to consider.