Kellam High School teacher tied to escort services resigns

An earlier post submitted was grossly altered to allude that I was making this teacher out to be a law breaker. Whe speaking of checking out the Commonwealth laws I was speaking of the antiquated laws that would make even married couples heads spin! Shame on the Pilot for distorting any posts. From all accounts I've received from students at Kellam High School she was an excellent teacher. Trust me, the salary teachers make is pathetic and many time a second job is necessary to keep with the economy. For crying out loud we need a second job just to pay for the gas to drive to school to teach for a good 9-10+ hour days that are necessary to put in to meet the demands of our education system. Leave the lady alone!

My name is Jon, Michelle Droelle was my student teacher in 11th grade at kellam highschool. The class was VA/US History. If it wasn't for her I would never have graduated. She Would stay after school and help me study for the SOL's and helped me understand the subject so much better. She was a great teacher. The VP scared her. Her business is her business. It was never brought up in class EVER. Good job VP, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have gotten a passing grade on the SOL's. They never mention stuff like that. I hope the person who wrote this story is happy with messing up peoples lives when the person writing this story probably has a greater secret vice of their own.

First of all this is not slander because slander is spoken word. Libel is written word that defames character. But to be libel, it must be false. There is no question that the story reported is true, or her lawyer wouldn't've told her to resign. If this woman merely paid her way through college by stripping or escorting then quit the company she worked for and got a job as a teacher, then fine, great, bravo- she would have been doing what most strippers or escorts "claim" is what they're doing and the reason for their stripping. I would say bravo to her for not becoming one of those strung out stereotypical escorts the media has been putting in the spotlight lately. But that is not what happened. She did strip while in college but instead of getting out of it, she then opened her own business and continued to make this legal yet elicit profession a big part of her life. When confronted and let's face it it would've come out sooner or later - SHE LIED. Lying don't make you look innocent folks. If she didn't think anything was wrong with it then why not answer honestly or a simple no comment would've sufficed I mean she does have an attorney. But no, she lied and made hersel

I can understand why someone confronted by an unscrupulous reporter butting into her personal business would panic under attack. The VP is right up there with the Enquirer. This was nobody's business and the VP went to great lengths to attack this woman. Her students say she was a great and caring teacher. Way to go VP! The better question is how this "story" came to light. This reeks of a competitor seeking revenge and using consciousless reporters to help with the dirty work. Also, how the VP managed to get copies of confidential contracts raises some serious ethical questions about the actions of the reporters. I hope she sues the VP for this unwarranted invasion of privacy. This disgusting witch hunt has caused this woman great harm, and was not a public service. Her students lost a teacher they loved. The teacher didn't expose her students to anything improper...great thing we have the VP to expose them.

I agree with the previous posters--up to a point. Did ANYone read what I just wrote? Look, no denying that schools have problems, and no denying that kids have 'issues' and difficulties with which to deal. But I will say it again: this teacher--by virtue of her own, indiscriminate actions--put her OWN career at risk. Yes, I'm sure the Pilot (aka 'Downtown Font of Knowledge)could have found better fodder to write about--so, maybe it WAS a slow news day. But, folks--this gal set her own self up for a fall. Nobody did it TO her; she did it to herself. She made poor decisions about a business interest, and now it is affecting her. Know what--?? It's called 'taking responsibility for your own actions.' It's called 'accountability'. Nobody denies this gal isn't smart; she surely is. But she made some poor choices and decisions, and they were not only merely poor decisions, they were ethically highly suspect, less than responsible, and definitely on the fringes of 'respectable'. Heck, at this point--leave the gal alone. She's going to have to start over.

...are the folks who won't give this woman a break. Perfect too (so they think)

please keep in mind, information provided that is true in it's content IS NOT "slander"..only false statements meet the legal definition of slander.

Virginia Pilot... I am deeply disturbed on why you would publish an article such as this. You have forced this woman to give up her job and tarnished her reputation. Why is puzzling to me is why you would write this kind of slander? I am sure that with the economic crisis rampant corruption and the mess America is in that your time would be better spent elsewhere. Rumors are spreading throughout the Beach area that this is an act of revenge by a prominent competitor. A poisoned pen is a dangerous weapon and when implemented by someone that does not think out the ramifications is a dangerous weapon. Take a second and pause and reflect on your actions. I am a staunch conservative and this woman's actions do not warrant this type of attack.

The last time I read a VBPS system contract I did not recall seeing anything preventing teachers from owning a business. I understand that people may be upset about the business being an escort service; however, let us look at the facts about public school teachers. Teachers become teachers because they love children and the money is not worth it. Obviously this teacher was a good one and unfortunately the system does not have many of them. She never pressed her business on the students so the pilot needs to stay out of her personal life. Had the pilot not brought it to everyone's attention the lady might have been able to deal with it appropriately. Or maybe the VBPS system could have dealt with it correctly by backing a good teacher (like they would stick by there teachers-LOL!). What teachers do on their own time is not the schools concern unless it impedes upon the child's instructional time or learning. Furthermore, I am sure if the writers dug deep into a lot of teacher's backgrounds they may find more horrific things than owning an escort service. In fact, I know you would discover things teachers are doing in the classroom with children present that would be a shocker.
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Well...too bad, she resigned. Caved in to pressure. Undercut her own position anyway, so it certainly shouldn't have come as a surprise. She must've known it would come out, sooner or later. Big question now--?? Is she going to go BACK into the 'escort business' full-time, AND...is she going to offer seniors and student discounts??? HMMMMmmmm...now THERE'S an important question for all those intrepid reporters at the Downtown Font of Knowledge to pursue! Frankly, if those same reporters-of-high-repute had simply ignored her, she would've have no doubt continued to teach, making a measly 38K a year. Now the poor woman will have to return to her formerly 'shady' occupation (perhaps) and make several TIMES that! HMMMMmmmmm...methinks they made much ado about nothing, don't YOU think???

Bottom line! The two professions, while both legal, just do not mix! The teacher did the right thing to resign. While not trying to throw stones at glass houses, as a teacher, I will say that it is more important than ever that teachers provide a moral role model to their students.
I am tired of reading post about her putting herself through college..... Many of us did it without compromising our values. Yep, we make the same salary as this woman, and manage to pay off loans. Where will we draw the line? Enough PC!!!!As a society, we tolerate and smile way too much. This is just another example of anything goes! I am truly amazed at the support shown here.
A VB teacher

She was trying to make her life better. She was a wife and mother. I think everyone deserves a second chance.

It seems like the majority support her “legal business” venture. I wish one of you would explain to me what happens during a 1 on 1 encounter. Is it tea and cookie time?

To the "parents" posting about morals and being offended by this teacher I think you need to take your head out of the sand. I can tell you for a fact that many, if not every, Friday afternoon-- yes as early as 3 or 4pm there are quite a lot of your children's teachers who have gathered at the nearest bar to drown out the the horrors of the work week caused mostly by the very type of people offended by this poor woman. How do you feel about your child's teachers drinking? Is that of questionable character? I sure hope not because dealing with the mounds of paperwork of craziness created by today's parents (i.e.: custody battles forcing teachers to testify in court, meeting with social workers, numerous conferences because you refuse to actually parent your own child and expect public education to do it for you) THAT is just the tip of an ENORMOUS iceberg that is driving teachers to drink (and probably far more nefarious activities you would really be outraged by) and ultimately quit this profession that we willingly started with the hopes of changing the future. I hope you feel satisfied at driving another "horrible" person out of a profession that is hemorrhaging good teachers.

Well, if anything good is to come out of this...its free advertising for her escort services. I say we all show our support and order us up an escort for the weekend. Got any men? We got a laugh out of this at work today. Its not like she would bend at the waist with legs spread eagle to pick up the chalk, or do a little shimmy as she sat in her chair. Do a little lap dance as she passed out papers. Some of you uptight people need to get a lap dance yourself to loosen up a bit. Some of you women might even try it on your partner. They say pole dancing is great exercise. So those of you that sit in front of your computers waiting for the blog to update, get out of your seat and start practicing. Turn around, face the chair, grab the back and then slowly squat..straighten your legs slowly and come back up. Go ahead try it. Its great for muscle tone. I wish her well, go back to what you know and earn twice as much as you would as a teacher. You go girl!!! Psst...got any openings????

Teaching used to be a noble profession, but they obviously take anyone these days. Besides, we don't care about virtues or moral values in our society any more . . . all we care about is that you feel good about your self. If dancing around naked for some pervert makes you feel good about yourself, well then by all means do it. By the sounds of all these ridiculous unprincipled commentators, she shouldn't have any problem getting more clients for her naked pole dancing business. Maybe Larry Flynt will make her a six figure offer as a teacher for Hustler??

A teacher with an escort business poses a lesser threat to my kids, than a diehard NEA, VEA union member who force feeds their liberal, socialist ideology on the students.

The likelihood that a teacher with an escort business is going to teach little girls that stripping is a good way to get through college is pretty remote.

There is a very high probability that a teacher with close ties to the teacher's unions will try to indoctrinate their students with their ideology.

Safer with a stripper teacher who is mum about her other job, than some blowhard who wants to spew their propaganda in class.

This is the ultimate social studies lesson for us all; isn't it?

We can't afford to lose teachers. We spend lots of money trying to convince people to teach and then we force one to resign for doing something legal. As a graduate of Kellam('92), I am personally offended by the outcome of this situation.

how did the Pilot have the resourses and willingness to "investigate" this story?? Sounds more like someone out for revenge just dumped the story in their lap. I've seen little in the Pilot indicating that they're willing to truly investigate anything....

Morals are important. If your morals didn't prompt you to action to have the "law" changed that she was inter operating within, thennnn enforcing your morals on people who are acting within the law is improper and outrageous! People make their choices and our Creator allows them that latitude, which is why judgment by our Creator will be very sobering for many. I'm not here on earth to judge everyones morals, I remain on earth as a Christian to point the way to salvation full and free by our Creator. If people don't want to hear it or accept this free gift of salvation from our sins, then that is their choice. People are free to make such a choice as evidenced by our Creator and I fully support their right to make their choices. That is what is so sad about this article - she was totally legal yet for a story some journalists (I use the term loosely) dorked up her teaching profession. That is the ultimate problem in this whole situation...

While I don't agree with what she was doing, according to this article: "Such acts are legal in Virginia as long as they take place in private and everyone involved is at least 18." If she was not doing anything illegal, why did she resign? I'm sure we kind of sort of know, but still, it was legal and many people have side businesses they run. I think maybe the problem here is someone was looking for a story and they got it, but unfortunately they've caused some unnecessary hassles with their story. This sounds sad.

Latecomers From Comment Siberia...No Bite....But, would like to make it clear that just because a opinion/comment is made on one aspect of a comment/opinion, does not mean the rest of the comment was not read in it's entirety. It could possibly mean the point was agreed with, conceded, or just judged by it's own merit, or lack thereof, or tone, & ignored, as opposed to being missed..There is no inclination or desire, here, to demean anyone.....Following this example can possibly get one OUT of Comment Siberia, if they wish to join real time posts.

Becuase teacher get paid 38k we are suppose to think they dont have to live up to a minimum standard? Really???!!

For all those folks who feel the teacher did something wrong, give up your day job, go down to the school district and fill out an application to teach whatever subject you're qualified to teach for $38,000/year. I just hope your assigned to a fantastic Title I school.

ok well, Michelle Drolle, or as I used to call her Mrs. Droelle, was my World History 2 teacher. My opinion on this is that it is being blown out of proportion. The article failed to say that she is married and is going to have a child. Why was that not mentioned? In the way I see it, Mrs. Droelle is the sweetest teacher I have ever had. She would always encourage us to do better in her class, if we weren't doing so well. We, as the students, never knew about this. She never brought this up, nor did she "violate" us. If I could talk to her, I would tell her that I would be speaking for the whole class and probably ever one of her students, when I say, "I miss you." Mrs. Droelle, if you read this, stay strong! VP had no reason to "butt" into this. I really don't care that you ran that business. I miss you. And remember, stay strong!!! I wish I could tell you who this is, but I don't want to be "bombarded" with question and such, so I am going to say, I was in your 1 block A day class and was the one that talked the most. I used to sit right next to you by your desk. Hope to see you again. Good Luck with the child and stay strong. Adios! ;-)

Maybe if teachers made more money they wouldn't have to have side jobs. It sounds like she ran a legal business. She probably paid a lot of taxes. Maybe she have taken out some ads in the Pilot.
It is a shame to see some railroaded.

People are missing the point. She probably resigned out of embarrassment. How would you like to stand up in front of a bunch of high school kids knowing that you were an escort? It it not exactly a classy profession. I believe that what she does on her own time is her business but if you work in a position of authority then you take the risk of your "private life" coming out. It is a shame however that she spent all that time and training just to give it all up. If she wasn't ashamed of herself then she should have stood her ground.

Stop the grammar police. This is becoming like high school.

"I find it disgusting what the VP did to this person. Was it such a slow news period that you decided to start digging up anything that would cause conflict. Essentially what you have done is ruined this persons career and taught the students that regardless of what you have done in the past, there is nothing you can do to make your self a better person."

Carrie, don't forget, this is the same fishwrap that hires a judge, then hires another judge, then makes a 3rd decision concerning something that they don't like. Personally, seeing a pregnant woman with her belly and her "outie" exposed for the world is the same as a fat guy in a Speedo, but beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.