Situation Analysis: Ms. Jones

Ms. Jones is a high school math teacher in Central County. She is only 24 years old and has been suffering emotionally due to her recent separation from her husband and his subsequent accidental death. She doesn’t really have any friends Teaching takes up most of her time and her students have become her social circle. John was a student in Ms. Jones’ homeroom as a sophomore, and a student in her algebra class as a junior. Ms. Jones wasn’t John’s teacher during his senior year. Ms. Jones’ department head, Ms. Frank, was the closest thing she had to a friend. She suggested that Ms. Jones get to know John’s family. So, Ms. Jones began to meet socially with John’s family after her husband died. She would tell Ms. Frank about their get-togethers and Ms. Frank encouraged the relationship.

When John began having trouble in his Calculus class, Ms. Jones started to tutor John, sometimes at school, sometimes at his home or at her apartment. As always, he was very easy-going and friendly. She began to look forward to their sessions. She realized that she missed the male company her deceased husband had provided, and so her relationship with John progressed. By the time John was in the last few months of his senior year at Auburn High School, their teacher/student relationship had developed into sexual relationship. Ms. Jones reasoned to herself that John was nineteen years old at the time. Further, his parents approved of the relationship, often inviting her over for meals and including her on family outings.

Reflect on this scenario using the following questions:

1. Which principles were possibly violated?

2. What should the Education Practices Commission (EPC) do?

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