A Utah school teacher who is a bikini model and body building competitor says she was afraid she was going to be fired this week after parents complained that pictures she’d posted of a recent competition were immodest and pornographic.
Mindi Jensen, a teacher at North Sanpete Middle School in Moroni, Utah, told TV station ABC 4 Utah that pictures she posted under a pseudonym on social media of a recent competition where she placed third were seen by students who showed them to their parents.
When the parents complained to North Sanpete School District officials, she said, she was given three choices on Tuesday: take the photos down, make the post private or be fired.
The single mom of four told the news station that she was depressed and unhealthy and had decided to focus on becoming more fit when her weight dropped to 100 pounds.
A Utah school teacher who is a bikini model and body building competitor says she was afraid she was going to be fired this week after parents complained that pictures she’d posted of a recent competition were immodest and pornographic.
Mindi Jensen, a teacher at North Sanpete Middle School in Moroni, Utah, told TV station ABC 4 Utah that pictures she posted under a pseudonym on social media of a recent competition where she placed third were seen by students who showed them to their parents.
When the parents complained to North Sanpete School District officials, she said, she was given three choices on Tuesday: take the photos down, make the post private or be fired.
The single mom of four told the news station that she was depressed and unhealthy and had decided to focus on becoming more fit when her weight dropped to 100 pounds.
“I thought with my body being stronger, maybe it would soak into my emotions, my heart and my brain and strengthen that so I started fitness,” Jensen told ABC 4 Utah.
“I get women, single women, single mommas that message me, even on Instagram they will message me and tell me that what they read and what they see that I’m doing has inspired them to be healthier, has inspired them to leave a bad situation, to build strength,” she continued.
Jensen was shocked when the school district told her that the photos were a problem.
“These kids found it and the parents were appalled,” she told ABC 4 Utah. “They called the pictures inappropriate and these are my fitness and show pictures in my sport, in my uniform in my body building sport.”
“Why are my rights being taken away and not the child’s rights? It’s between the parent and the child. Put restrictions on your children,” she added. “If you are not comfortable with seeing me in my fitness uniform on stage posing then take that away from your kid. Don’t take it away from me.”
On Wednesday, school district officials admitted they were wrong and apologized to Jensen.
“The district has cleared up any misconceptions with employees and will conduct training for parents on appropriate student Internet usage,” Sam Ray, North Sanpete School District Superintendent, said in a statement.
Jensen is relieved that she will keep her job. “I feel like I’m good at it. I feel like I can go places with it. This is the first time that I have felt strong,” she said.
Courtesy of: People