Feb 4, 2007 7:58 pm US/Mountain
Psychologist Explains Student-Teacher Relationship
by Jodi Brooks
DENVER (CBS4) ―
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Carrie McCandless, 30, is now charged with a felony for contacting her alleged victim early last week. She surrendered to authorities early Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007. This picture was taken during that booking.
CBS4
The recent arrest of a Brighton teacher has many wondering how teacher-student relationships can become sexual. Carrie McCandless is accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.
At school, feelings of admiration and respect may become intense and even personal between a student and teacher.
"Usually teachers who are going to molest kids grew up in a household or in some kind of environment where people didn't recognize age distinction," said Dr. Susan Heitler, a clinical psychologist. "Boundaries got slippery all around."
Dr. Heitler says most of time the teacher doesn't understand they've done something wrong.
What a teacher gets from an inappropriate relationship.. is what most people get in a healthy relationship.
"The excitement of romantic feelings, the closeness with someone," said Dr. Heitler
The Colorado Department of Education keeps a record of teaching licenses terminated for sexual assault of a child. Starting in 1994 through January of this year, the numbers appear consistent. State records show the problem has not gotten worse, nor has it gone away.
"Those numbers, the numbers say 3 to 10 per year of teachers who actually lost their teaching licenses are just a drop in the bucket of kids who have had some sexual advances made by someone," Dr. Heitler said.
Dr. Heitler told CBS4 inappropriate sex is more likely if there's privacy. Privacy can be private meetings at school, cell phone calls and text messaging. Even e-mail and the Internet provides an opportunity for teachers and students to communicate privately.
"One thing parents can do and teachers, or even better the school administration must do is be able to talk about these issues," she said.
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