Thread: Should teachers be held to a higher standard of morality than others?

Is this teacher wrong?

Make Me a Supermodel teacher slammed for sexy poses


Emily Power
August 12, 2008 12:00am

A CATHOLIC primary school teacher's raunchy poses on a TV modelling show have shocked family groups.
Despite the outcry, Sacred Heart Primary School in Melbourne has pledged its support to physical education teacher Rhys Uhlich, 24.
Mr Uhlich, 24, stripped off for the cameras along with fellow competitors in a recent episode of Channel 7's Make Me a Supermodel.

• Vote: Is it appropriate for a teacher to pose in raunchy pictures with a teenage girl?

He reclined on a couch in only a pair of swimmers with contestant Hannah, 19, in a bikini, draped over him.
Several pupils from the Newport school have watched Mr Uhlich in the sexually charged series, which features swimwear catwalk parades and male contestants tearing their shirts off.
Sacred Heart students have posted encouraging messages to him on Seven's website.
One student wrote: "Go for it Mr Uhlich you rock but please don't leave your my fav teacher."
The steamy photo session was even declared "too sexy" by one of the show's judges.
Australian Family Association state president Angela Conway said Mr Uhlich was sending a dangerous message to children.
"This whole genre of model programs sends a very strong message to young people that your main capacity for success in this world is to market yourself sexually," she said.
"Instead of being part of the solution, this teacher is part of the problem.
"He's helping to generate these very, very toxic messages that are driving young girls to body image problems and eating disorders, and other psychological difficulties."
Parents Victoria president Elaine Crowle said Mr Uhlich's behaviour would not meet the code of conduct for teachers.
"It's not the behaviour parents would expect from a teacher who is a role model for students under their care," Ms Crowle said.
Sacred Heart principal Joan Janssen said in a statement: "The school community wishes Rhys well. He's a very popular teacher with the staff, students and parents, and we can't wait to have him back at school."
Mr Uhlich is one of 14 contestants competing for a lucrative modelling contract.
In his profile on the program's website, he says: "I love teaching kids, but I need a bit of variety in my life."
He says he has worked as a model since he was a teenager.
Mr Uhlich was filming the show in Sydney yesterday and was not available for comment.


Make Me a Supermodel teacher slammed for sexy poses | Herald Sun

teachers are human beings( like any other).
However their profession imposes a duty of care towards students that they are associated with. If this was one of his students, then I think it is inappropriate

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

If this was one of his students, then I think it is inappropriate

Did you read the article?

Its talking about him entering a modeling contest on TV... he didnt 'do' anything with his students....

"Parents Victoria president Elaine Crowle said Mr Uhlich's behaviour would not meet the code of conduct for teachers."

Can't answer without reading the code of conduct he agreed to follow. If he broke the code, good bye, if not, then it is unfair.

In general, yes teachers should be held to a higher standard and from the limited amount of evidence provided, what he did doesn't seem to "cross the line" but I suspect he had told and agreed to fairly specific guidlines before starting to work.

Not hoyle to say the rules are bad only after getting caught breaking them.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

higher standard of morality

How so?

In that if he was a builder or an Olympic athlete etc - no one would mind if he posed in these pics...

KW I said he was just like anyone else
and if it was one of his students then it would be inappropriate behaviour
Was my post badly written?

^ He is modelling for a show, how does one of his students come into it?

if they were in the show?

Oh i see now.

ok. fair enough.

Originally Posted by November Rain

but I might question her (yes, I know it's a guy, but littl'un's teacher isn't) commitment to teaching. Maybe he should give up the teaching for a while & pursue modelling full time. If it doesn't work, the teaching qualifications are still there.

Actually, fair point, I like your thinking...

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Originally Posted by November Rain

but I might question her (yes, I know it's a guy, but littl'un's teacher isn't) commitment to teaching. Maybe he should give up the teaching for a while & pursue modelling full time. If it doesn't work, the teaching qualifications are still there.

Actually, fair point, I like your thinking...

Actually that's absolute rubbish.



A popular PE teacher's racy photo shoot for a television reality show has sparked an outcry from some family groups

What are we in the 18th century prude mode ? He wasn't posing for pornography he has a life and other interests outside of teaching and these don't make him less committed to the profession.

The votes on the website are in favour of him and I don't see anything wrong with it at all. He is not abusing or intefering with children he can do whatever he likes in his private life. The 'outcry' is probably from all the religious nutters who see it as morally corrupt.

Good for him, it's liberating.

Originally Posted by momo8

Actually that's absolute rubbish.

Did you actually read what I said, or are you just disagreeing because it's me? I said I don't think the pics are a problem. But any teacher doing a reality show/model comp probably isn't sure where their heart lies & what they're committed to. Ergo, do the modelling, while young & 'pretty' enough to do so. Go back to the teaching later, or if it doesn't work.

Nice twist but which is it ?

Originally Posted by November Rain

I do think seeing their teacher in such a pose could be damaging

Originally Posted by November Rain

I said I don't think the pics are a problem

The guy is in the Australian Catholic Education System which is his bread and butter. Giving up a stable teaching career for the fickle unstable world of modelling full time might not be an option for him, unless he wins the comp of course. The school is supporting him so good for him.

Originally Posted by momo8

Nice twist but which is it ?
Quote: Originally Posted by November Rain I do think seeing their teacher in such a pose could be damaging

How about using the whole quote? Let's face it, everyone can read it anyway.

Originally Posted by November Rain

I do think seeing their teacher in such a pose could be damaging. It could also lead to teasing from other kids. Then again, his students might all be very proud of him.

Better? How do I know how his students feel? I gave the possible scenarios as I saw them.

Originally Posted by momo8

The guy is in the Australian Catholic Education System which is his bread and butter. Giving up a stable teaching career for the fickle unstable world of modelling full time might not be an option for him, unless he wins the comp of course.

I'm sure the publicity will help him with his modelling career. You think only the winners of these shows get careers out of them?