Teacher's Shocking Actions Raise Questions About School Safety

A teacher in Colorado has been accused of serious crimes. Teresa Whalin, a 28-year-old wellness teacher, is facing charges. She is accused of having a sexual relationship with a student. This relationship lasted for over a year. After they broke up, Whalin allegedly stalked the student. The student was much younger than Whalin. They were 12 years apart in age. This means the student was likely 14 when the relationship began. The relationship started in April 2023. It began after the student started spending time in Whalin's office. The student was seeking support for mental health issues. Whalin exchanged nude photos with the student. She also created fake phone numbers to contact the student. This was after the student ended the relationship. The student felt scared and thought Whalin was jealous. They believed Whalin was following them. Whalin has been arrested. She is being held on a $50, 000 bond. The school district has placed her on administrative leave. This is not the first time a teacher has been accused of such crimes. Reports show that these cases have been increasing. Since 2008, there has been a 250 percent increase in such cases. Many cases go unreported. Only 6 percent of students report these incidents. This means the actual number of cases could be much higher. It's important to take these issues seriously. Schools need to ensure the safety of all students.