After showing a pupil p**nographic selfies, a drama instructor was permanently fired from her post. Originally teaching music and performing arts at Ripplevale School in Rochester, Kent, Megan Lanning, 36, emailed two improper pictures to one of her students during her tenure there.
One of the images revealed at a misconduct hearing showed Lanning partially n*de, while in another, she admitted to sending an image that would have one interpreting her as having engaged in a s**ual act. Lanning admitted that she had exchanged the n@ked pictures and that she had acquired “inappropriate feelings” for the unidentified student, so she took the initiative to report herself to the safeguarding authorities in February last year.
The two apparently spent a lot of time talking about their feelings for one another over phone calls and Instagram. Lanning said later in a statement that she wanted to impress the student and wanted to provide everything to her, describing their relationship as “wrapped up in one another.”
The Teaching Regulation Agency decided the photographs Lanning submitted were “inherently s**ual in nature.” Panel chairman Alan Wells said Lanning clearly was looking for some kind of relationship or s**ual gratification. He underlined that she sent s**ualized pictures in response to developing affection for a pupil over whom she held control and influence.
Wells also said that Lanning’s behavior amounted to major misbehavior and below accepted standards for professionals. Lanning said she was disgusted and repulsed by her own behavior, thereby acknowledging her undesirable actions. She said she felt nauseous every time she thought back on what she had done and expressed continuous anxiety of media exposure. Her acts have had somewhat challenging effects for her to manage.
Wells underlined that Lanning’s actions amounted to major misbehavior, especially considering that she acted in line and was judged as s**ually motivated by her feelings. She will thus not be able to reapply for her teaching credentials going forward and has been barred indefinitely from teaching in England.
Civil servant Marc Cavey, representing Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, underlined the gravity of the matter while approving the suspension. He pointed out the negative effects such behavior could have on the standing of the teaching profession and affirmed she would not be permitted to seek restoration of her fitness to teach, given the gravity of the accusations maintained against Lanning.
With annual fees as high as £45,000, Ripplevale School is an autonomous institution for kids with learning challenges. This event reminds us very strongly of the obligations teachers have and the results of neglecting professional limits.