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While Amelia focuses on the teacher's risk, PAR35 looks at the possible risk to the student. Both of these viewpoints make sense, especially in these "dark ages" when we've learned to be leery of males we don't know well.

We've gone far beyond that. Those who work with children, be they teachers, scout leaders, sports coaches, etc. could find themselves in hot water just for putting their arm around a child. All because of the small minority of predators among us.

This teacher talks on the phone to his student while his wife sits nearby. He and his wife could talk to this student's parent to explain his efforts to help her, and ask that parent to be present during any phone conversation.

Believing the teacher is sincere, he can avoid suspicions on both sides---or walk away from the student.

Those who work with children, be they teachers, scout leaders, sports coaches, etc. could find themselves in hot water just for putting their arm around a child. All because of the small minority of predators among us.

We've been told to never touch a student, and not to be in a closed room with only one student. Usually not a problem, although there have been times I've had students making up work when the halls were noisy and it would be better for that student's concentration to close the door...

This teacher talks on the phone to his student while his wife sits nearby. He and his wife could talk to this student's parent to explain his efforts to help her, and ask that parent to be present during any phone conversation.

Part of the article explained that the girl was fatherless, and her mother "wasn't really mother material" and essentially left this girl and a sister to raise the younger siblings, so she might not have been concerned at all.

I was glad that the teacher cared enough to rescue this student but rather disturbed at the lengths he had to go to do it. Of course, 50 years ago, teachers made home visits...