KHOU News Station These next two sources are important because as Texas teachers it is important to know how

often this happens in our state. Texas is currently leading the nation on the number of teacher arrests due to engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a student. By reading these two news articles, novice teachers can see what others have done that have not only cost them their job and loss of credentials but have also landed them in prison and hopefully this will be an eye opener so they do not conduct themselves in the same manner. Malin Basu, a KHOU Houston News reporter, writes of another startling case of a teacher being fired for having and inappropriate relationship with a student. Nikki Scherwitz, a 25 year old Brazosport Independent School District teacher, was fired for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a student. She was a 10th grade English teacher and the student is said to have been 16 years old. Mrs. Scherwitz was charged with sexual assault on a child. Students reported the teacher showing up to an after prom party wearing no shoes and a cut off shirt. It appeared that she had consumed alcohol and was asked to leave by several of the students. The Freeport police department stated that the relationship with the student had been going on for weeks but they were only tipped off by Mrs. Scherwitz showing up at the party. Basu, M. (2013, May 2). Brazosport ISD teacher charged with having sexual relationship with student . Retrieved from KHOU: http://www.khou.com/news/crime/Brazosport-ISDteacher-25-charged-with-having-sexual-relationship-with-student-205794251.html Tiffany Craig, a reporter for KHOU Houston News station, reports on yet another incident in which a teacher has lost their job for having an inappropriate relationship with a student. These statistics have also given the state the number 1 rank in the country when it comes to inappropriate relationships between a student and their teacher. Twenty eight year old Kathanna Culp of Spring Independent School District is accused of having sex with one of her male students and hosting numerous pot parties for the teenage kids. Terry Abbott, a former chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Education considers these acts to be an epidemic. His findings conclude that there have been over 200 cases nationwide since the beginning of the year, 26 have been in Texas. He believes that school districts should ban the use of Facebook communication between teachers and students and also texting. This is where the relationship begins to enter into a dangerous state. School districts should employ more in depth methods of hiring teachers and parents should check their kid's social media sites. Craig, T., & Lopez, R. (2013, March 26). Texas ranks no. 1 in inappropriate student-teacher relationships. Retrieved from KHOU:http://www.khou.com/news/texas-news/Texasranks-No-1-in-inappropriate-student-teacher-relationships-200151691.html

Association of Texas Professional Educators This is an important resource for novice teachers because it is a legal Q&A on what the laws are in the state of Texas that govern relationships between students and teachers. The Texas Penal Code statutes are listed and briefly explained. Along with the explanation of the statute, there is also mention of what the teacher could receive as a sentence and possible fines. Some have tried to challenge the constitutionality of the statute but the courts deny that the laws are not unconstitutional and that the boundaries between what is an appropriate relationship and what is not should never be crossed. Essesntials. (2011, July). Retrieved from Association of Texas Professional Educators: http://www.atpe.org/Advocacy/Essentials/julyLegalQA.htm Teacher Student Relationships: Where to Draw the Line? This article explains what the administrators consider is inappropriate behavior between its teachers and students. There is also a cost benefit aspect of this article. The authors explain that it is a much lower cost to effectively train teachers on how to conduct themselves appropriately than to have to pay expensive costs after the abuse and criminal act has already occurred. Instead of focusing on what an inappropriate relationship the training should include ways to develop a positive relationship and address topics such as different types of physical contact with the student, the dress and overall appearance of the teacher, peer observations, and one on one meetings with the students. Sentor Bayer, A. a. (2007). Teacher/student relationships:Where to draw the line:. Retrieved from The Human Equation: http://www.thehumanequation.com/en/news_rss/articles/2007/05_18_Teacher_Student_R elationships.aspx

Texas Classroom Teacher Association This website proves to be extremely helpful to novice teachers as it defines both what a sexual relationship with a student is and what a romantic relationship with a student is. On this website, novice teachers can also find links to the full survival guide and also links on sexting with students, online contact between teachers and students, and also some basic tips for beginner / novice teachers. Texas Classroom Teachers Association Survival Guide.(2012-2013). Texas Classroom Teachers Association. Retrieved from http://tcta.org/node/12941