When I send my children off to school I expect two things; they will have ample opportunity to learn and they will be safe.

I do my best to oversee these expectations are met. I pay my taxes, I vote in local elections, I meet with teachers, I help with homework, and I volunteer in the classroom. I can’t always be present to keep an eye on the safety and education of my children, so I entrust that responsibility to the teachers and administrators.

I trust that the teachers will focus on teaching and not be abusive or overstep their bounds. I trust that they won’t have sexual relations with my children, or any of their students.

This morning, I read an article about a the high school teacher in Twin Falls who abused that trust.  He admitted to having sex with one of his 17-year-old students. He was not charged with rape, because the actions were consensual.

This is not OK.

This teacher violated the trust that is implicit in his profession. It does not matter if the relationship was consensual. It is not OK for a teacher to have an intimate relationship with a student. It is not OK for a teacher to invite a student into his or her home. It is not OK for a teacher to violate the trust that every parent gives, when they send their children to school.

How do we, as parents, safeguard our children from abuse at school?