Favorite Teacher or Worst Nightmare? Teachers who Crossed the Line

What kind of teacher sexually abuses her students? The current study, guided by critical theory, examines common characteristics of female high school teachers who sexually abuse their students. Extant research on teacher student relationships have found commonalities in the demographics of the offenders, their experience of adverse childhood experiences, common age of the victims, re-offense rates, and public perception of these types of crimes. The current study furthers previous research, by investigating their marital status at the time of the offense (married or not married), whether or not the offender has children, and school type (public or private). This study collected n=18 cases of female high school teachers in the state of Florida who are sexual offenders, and whose victims are their students. We have collected qualitative secondary data from news articles and investigative reports published by two websites: The Canadian Children’s Rights Council and The South Florida Sun Sentinel. Specific characteristics on each of the offenders were coded and inputted on Excel and data was analyzed using the phenomenological methodology. These characteristics include our three main constructs, in addition to offender as well as victim age. Results of the study will be discussed to help illuminate further common characteristics among these offenders, especially focusing on their relationship status, parental status, and school type in which they were employed at the time of the offense. Finally, implications on future research will be discussed